Superb Britten Gala opens Wigmore season

By Roy Westbrook, 14 September 2019

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Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 13 September 2019

Britten, On this Island for soprano or tenor and piano, Op.11

Britten, A Charm of Lullabies for mezzo soprano and piano, Op.41

Britten, 7 Sonnets of Michelangelo for tenor and piano, Op.22

Britten, Songs and Proverbs of William Blake for baritone and piano, Op.74

Louise Alder, Soprano

Jennifer Johnston, Mezzo-soprano

Allan Clayton, Tenor

James Newby, Baritone

James Baillieu, Piano

A spectacular swansong for the Rosendal Chamber Music Festival

Nick Boston, 10th August

A fitting farewell for Leif Ove Andsnes' Rosendal Chamber Music Festival: imaginative programming and excellent performances in an inspiring setting.

*****

Lise Davidsen triumphs in Met Opera recital

Susan Stempleski, 14th September

In her New York recital debut, the young Norwegian soprano displays the extent of her vocal and theatrical power in an unusually wide-ranging program of songs and opera arias.

*****

Maestri and Bayankina shine in last-minute Verbier opera gala

Elodie Olson-Coons, 20th July

In Verbier's Salle des Combins, despite the change of programme, Ambrogio Maestri and Maria Bayankina deliver stand-out performances.

****1

An exquisite recital from Allan Clayton and James Baillieu

Mark Valencia, 22nd June

Allan Clayton came to town and he brought his best voice with him.

*****

Star factor: Lise Davidsen in recital at the Barbican

Dominic Lowe, 10th February

Lise Davidsen is now a major talent and in this warmly presented recital, she showcased technical ability and raw power in a programme of Scandinavian and German songs.

****1

A Britten and Dowland winter warmer from Allan Clayton and friends

Mark Valencia, 4th January

The tenor man told Thomas Hardy’s familiar verses with such probing honesty that I heard newness in all of them.

*****

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.