Nikolai Endresen Dahl, Sortland, Norway | 03/12/2011 14:24:44 GMT
Recital in Athens
So nice to see the guestbook back on your website! Your recital last year in Athens, dedicated to the harmonically ingenious music of Purcell is still vivid in my memory, and especially the wonderful rendition of Handel's "Ombra mai fu", which you sang as an encore. I so much look forward to your next performance in Athens!
A piece that has been heard and played hundreds of times. Boredom and Anticipation. The orchestra grinds into gear. The voice slothful, uncertain, problematic. And then a note not quite perfect. This is the only moment that counts. Everyone senses that something important is happening - the audience and the orchestra concentrating all their energies to listen and play - things will never be the same again. Who Shall Stand When He Appeareth? Who May Abide? Will you? Will I? Some people can and do.
Marianne Stierforth, USA | 27/12/2010 09:32:08 GMT
Handel's Saul at the Maltings in Snape
When you see true Handelians at work, like Richard Egarr, you think that Handel must have been a bit like that in the flesh. In other words, a force of nature, utterly, utterly marvellous in the sense of being switched in to every phrase and every moment and every subtlety and who has the seemingly endless energy to see it through to its final strain along with the instrumentalists who worked so well last night that you couldn't fail to grasp the music fully, very young some of them, lovely organ moment and that strange instrument that sounds like Christmas chimes, ethereal and sublime.
The singers were all soloists who had been on the...
When you see true Handelians at work, like Richard Egarr, you think that Handel must have been a bit like that in the flesh. In other words, a force of nature, utterly, utterly marvellous in the sense of being switched in to every phrase and every moment and every subtlety and who has the seemingly endless energy to see it through to its final strain along with the instrumentalists who worked so well last night that you couldn't fail to grasp the music fully, very young some of them, lovely organ moment and that strange instrument that sounds like Christmas chimes, ethereal and sublime.
The singers were all soloists who had been on the Britten-Pears teaching programme for the previous ten days, with masterclasses from Michael Chance, and it was a very high standard overall. Will they ever sing in a chorus like that again I wonder? Perhaps having done it once they will want to again. 17 of them - one tenor hadn't been able to come at the last minute - able both to blend and to shine and all working together as one whole: Orchestra, conductor, singers, with none of the separation that so often arises where the soloists somehow seem too separate from the choir and too separate from the orchestra, no! all living and breathing together as one and listening to one another properly. That's what music making should be about, say I. It meant that we heard everything clearly in all its spectacular force and brilliance and detail.
If I had been one of the singers I would have dragged Michael and Rita onto the stage at the end, because all their work of the previous days shone through in the voices, the diction, the engagement and drama of the singers, and the fact that they all clearly looked as if they were enjoying themselves. Well done everyone! And well done to Jonathan Reekie and everyone at Snape for creating, or allowing, or administering, or forcing out of nothing, this incredible space and opportunity for such things to take place. Britten and Pears would have enjoyed last night, I thought to myself, and they would have been proud. And so would the great singer and teacher Anthony Rolfe Johnson to whose memory the concert was dedicated. Well done everybody!
The concert with Norwich Baroque last night was a sheer delight. I've not had the privilege of hearing Mr Chance live before and it was well worth the lengthy drive.
A lovely, well-balanced programme, delivered with verve, intelligence and commitment, even for what must have been the umpteenth time, so that for those of us hearing them live for the first time they felt fresh and engaging. Absolutely mesmerising.
Travis Mason, Portsmouth, UK | 06/06/2010 17:39:21 GMT
Radio 3 Essay
I was spellbound by your "Essay" on Radio 3 on Friday - you gave such vivid descriptions of life on the road and the intensity of the operatic rehearsal process, and all delivered with such warmth and charm! Thank you for an enlightening and uplifting talk.
Cordelia Dyer, London | 06/06/2010 09:01:51 GMT
First Meeting
How delightful to be introduced to Michael and his website within minutes of each other. He is far better in the flesh ...
David Nissan, London | 27/05/2010 15:39:26 GMT
Gala Recital in Chagford - 23rd May
Thank-you for singing - your voice is exquisite and beautiful to listen to. James Boyd's guitar playing is 'a delightful thing'
How will People (like Me) know when the sailing expedition is happening? Is there a mailing list that my name could be added to?
Madeleine Leech, Chagford, England | 23/05/2010 14:57:14 GMT
St Peter's Church - 6th May
Thank you SO MUCH for last week's COMPLETELY AMAZING music !!
It's really a challenge to try to convey just how beautiful your singing always has been and, if anything, how even more beautiful it now is - with the benefit of just living for longer. The audience at St Peter's will never forget any of it; invidious to single out - but Purcell and the spell-binding Tavener! No one wanted to move a muscle at the end of that!
I can also say that, in my semi-long life of being exposed to the very best music, I have never heard a more ravishing chamber group than Fretwork. (And I've heard many ravishing chamber groups!)
