A Mahler 8 from heaven in Singapore

By Robert Markow, 12 July 2015

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“even in the densest, loudest passages, there was clarity and transparency right through the ranks”

Reviewed at Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore on 10 July 2015

Mahler, Symphony no. 8 in E flat major "Symphony of a Thousand"

Orchestra of the Music Makers

Chan Tze Law, Conductor

Lee, Hyon, Soprano

Ariya Sawadivong, Soprano

Janani Sridhar, Soprano

Deborah Humble, Mezzo-soprano

Songmi Yang, Mezzo-soprano

Dongwon Shin, Tenor

Warwick Fyfe, Baritone

Joshua Bloom, Bass

Queensland Festival Chorus

Collegium Symphonic Chorus

Winthrop Singers

Vocal Associates Children's Chorus

Vocal Associates Festival Chorus

Watery magic as Nicole Car makes a triumphant return to Sydney

Jeremy Eccles, 19th July

Nicole Car makes her role debut as Dvořák's Rusalka in a production by Sarah Giles that proves a winner.

****1

Noted Wagnerians Fisch and Fyfe have fun in Perth Fledermaus

Sandra Bowdler, 14th March

An enjoyable performance of Die Fledermaus from the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and an excellent cast of singers is somewhat mitigated by the venue, as the celebrated Perth Concert Hall undergoes renovation.

****1

A stunning Meistersinger from Melbourne Opera

Sandra Bowdler, 16th February

After its Bendigo Ring, Melbourne Opera brings off another artistic coup with a fabulous performance of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in Melbourne's splendid Royal Exhibition Building.

*****

Simone Young conducts Sydney Symphony in its first Gurre-Lieder

Jeremy Eccles, 15th March

Can a perfect performance of the stupendous Gurrelieder be anything other than five stars?

*****

Songs amid ice and fire: Götterdämmerungat Opera Australia

David Larkin, 7th December

An icy Götterdämmerung brings Opera Australia's Ring Cycle to a successful conclusion, with standout performances from Lise Lindstrom as Brünnhilde and Andrea Silvestrelli as Hagen.

****1

Nature goes hi-tech: Opera Australia’s Siegfried a triumph for Vinke

David Larkin, 5th December

The tireless Stefan Vinke wows in the title role of Opera Australia's Siegfried, in a production which harnesses technology to excellent effect.

****1

More reviews...

Robert Markow

Formerly a horn player in the Montreal Symphony, Robert Markow now writes programme notes for that orchestra and for many other musical organizations. He taught at Montreal’s McGill University for many years, has led music tours to several countries, and has written for numerous leading classical music journals.