ORA Singers contrast Ancient and Modern at the Perth Festival

ORA Singers

Suzi Digby

By David Smythe, 23 May 2025

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“The ORA Singers are masters of the use of space to enhance their performance”

Reviewed at St John's Kirk, Perth on 22 May 2025

Allegri, Miserere mei, Deus

Victoria, Ave Maria

Simpson, Ave Maria

Perivolaris, An End without End

Palestrina, Assumpta est Maria

Bednall, Assumpta est Maria

Anonymous, Alma redemptoris mater

McDowall, Alma Redemptoris Mater

de Lassus, Timor et tremor

Poulenc, Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97: Tristis est anima mea

Brunelli, Sicut Lilium

Barber, Sicut Lilium

MacMillan, Miserere

ORA Singers

Suzi Digby, Conductor

Energetic Currentzis and Utopia at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 12th May

From Berg’s crystalline intimacy to Dionysian Mahler, Teodor Currentzis and Utopia defy orchestral tradition with standing musicians, spatial acoustics and an emotional intensity that breathes new life into the concert life.

****1

Korngold and Mahler from Ray Chen, Vasily Petrenko and the RPO

Roy Westbrook, 12th May

Few violin concertos soar from the first bar as Erich Korngold’s does, especially as in Ray Chen's high-wire account at the Royal Albert Hall.

****1

Petr Popelka delivers a thrilling opening for Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 12th May

With Petr Popelka on the podium, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra brings a native feel and colorful exuberance to a cultural icon.

****1

Era-defining string sound in the Liverpool Phil’s Mahler 9

Rohan Shotton, 10th May

Domingo Hindoyan nears his five-year anniversary at the RLPO with Mahler's Ninth Symphony.

****1

Alexander Malofeev conjures sophistication at the Concertgebouw

Clare Varney, 10th May

Sitting low on the piano stool and with his head gently bobbing from side to side, this is music to listen to on repeat.

****1

Redemption and musical caffeine: Nelsons conducts Mahler 8 in Vienna

Mark Pullinger, 10th May

Sunday morning Mahler at the Wiener Konzerthaus sees Andris Nelsons concluding his symphony cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic in shattering fashion.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.