Crushed velvet: Elīna Garanča holds Wigmore Hall spellbound

By Mark Valencia, 18 February 2019

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Um Mitternacht... emerged as the fearful confession of a vulnerable soul”

Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 17 February 2019

Schumann, Myrthen: Widmung, Op.25 no.1

Schumann, Myrthen: Der Nussbaum, Op.25 no.3

Schumann, Myrthen: Jemand, Op.25 no.4

Schumann, Myrthen: Lied der Braut I, Op.25 no.11

Schumann, Myrthen: Lied der Braut II, Op.25 no.12

Schumann, Frauenliebe und -leben, Op.42

Wagner, Wesendonck-Lieder

Mahler, Rückert-Lieder

Vitols, Aizver actiņas un smaidi (Close your eyes and smile)

Elīna Garanča, Mezzo-soprano

Malcolm Martineau, Piano

Love's loss lamented: Boesch and Martineau in Edinburgh

Roy Westbrook, 15th August

A traditional Lieder programme at the Edinburgh International Festival brings songs concerned with love, celebrating its joys but more often lamenting its loss and its pains.

****1

A diva debut: Anna Netrebko in recital at Carnegie Hall

Edward Sava-Segal, 9th December

Netrebko put together a potpourri showcasting her immense vocal gifts as well as her versatility.

****1

Catriona Morison’s recital première in Edinburgh

David Smythe, 19th January

Winner of Cardiff Singer of the World, Scottish mezzo Catriona Morrison charms the enthusiastic audience with her varied programme of romantic songs.

****1

A voyage of discovery in Christiane Karg's Prom debut

John Johnston, 21st August

The opening of the Duparc rippled diaphanously in Martineau's hands as the seductive but pure silver of Karg's voice.

****1

Anna Netrebko triumphs in her Met Opera recital debut

Ako Imamura, 28th February

It was an afternoon of pure delight as Anna Netrebko presented a full program of Russian art songs acompanied by an excellent pianist colleague.

*****

Ferrier Awards Winner's Recital at St. John's Smith Square

George Slater-Walker, 31st May

Gansch and Martineau fail to dazzle in an unchallenging programme of bucolic and playful Lieder.

***11

More reviews...

Mark Valencia

Mark has worked in arts journalism for four decades, both as a writer and as a French-English translator. Nowadays he focuses his energies on reviewing opera and music. Mark also writes for Opera magazine and for Musical America as a correspondent for Europe and the UK.