Well, there it was –we were a little tired after a hard week and a splendid big lunch with our good friends, the Zobrists, and the chances of making it all the way to Wanchai for a 8pm concert was about 50-50. I'm so glad we made the effort.
Being associated with the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir often entails being connected, either directly or otherwise, with some sort of Welsh-themed event. Some of these are good: Catrin Aur's concert at the Academy of Perfoming Arts was truly excellent. Her stage presence, intense musicality and sparkling professionalism shone as much as the three spectacular changes of dress during the performance. It's not just that she was good, she was unforgettable.
The Welsh soprano's naturally masterful command of belle canto Italian operatic arias was a joy (as this YouTube link indicates). The audience were spellbound by her exquisite performances of some of the best-known romantic period opera soprano arias by Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, Bellini –a joyous sampling! These are obviously her forte, allowing her full rein over the emotions and story-telling within each piece. Her memorable first act finale from Adriana Lecouvreur, an opera I've not come across, was Cilea's Io son l'umile ancella, and her Casta Diva from Bellini's Norma was quite simply the best I've heard: immense feminine strength and heart-breaking vulnerability.
Catrin Aur's brief introduction to her encore, O mio babbino caro, in her excellent and endearing West Welsh accent brought a personal touch to the evening. In the end the Hong Kong audience just didn't want to leave. It must sometimes be a difficult thing to dip your toes into an unknown sea, but Catrin jumped in, much to our delight. She next returns to London to perform Verdi's Aida at the Albert Hall. Top banana!
The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong did fairly well altogether, but appeared to lack confidence in places. I can only expect them to improve with more concerts like this under their belt. Gareth Jones, the conductor, did his best to hold them together, but they wandered at times. Would it be unkind to suggest that perhaps they need more time to practice?
This is my first visit to the HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre. Completed in 2010, the converted amphitheatre is a splendid acoustic venue –every breath and note clearly defined. If Catrin Aur at the Opera sets the standard, I will have to go to more concerts there in 2012.
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