Art Song Canberra
Christina Wilson,
mezzo-soprano
Alan Hicks, piano
Wesley Music Centre,
Forrest
Sunday 18 October
2015
Once again, Art Song Canberra produced a memorable afternoon
of beautiful music with their concert, ‘Love And Harmony Combine’. The husband and wife team of Christina
Wilson, mezzo-soprano, and Alan Hicks, piano, sang and played a fine selection
of songs by Nigel Butterley, Robert and Clara Schumann, Ralph Vaughan Williams,
Francis Poulenc and David Matthews.
After commencing with a joyous song by Nigel Butterley from
his ‘Six Blake Songs’, Christina Wilson established an immediate rapport with
the audience with her personable and interesting introduction to a selection of
songs from Liebesfrühling (Love’s Spring) by Robert and Clara Schumann. This group of songs displayed the full range
and colour of Christina Wilson’s voice.
Her singing of ‘Er ist gekommen’ showed great control over a wide range
of emotions.
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ ‘Four Last Songs’ require fine
acting as well as strong singing and Christina Wilson’s performance of these
songs was the highlight of the concert.
‘Le Travail du Peintre’ by Francis Poulenc was given a thoughtful
presentation with a video slideshow of works by the seven painters represented
in the songs. Christina Wilson’s singing
clearly brought out the subtle variation in the painters’ styles, as detailed
by Poulenc’s music.
The final work was ‘The Book Of Hours’ by David Matthews
comprising six poems by Rainer Maria Rilke with English versions by Babette
Deutsch. It was musically very
interesting but the meaning behind the text was hard to follow. It was, however, beautifully sung by Christina
Wilson.
Accompanist, Alan Hicks, gave brilliant support throughout the
concert to Christina Wilson with his sensitive playing.
The selection of songs for this concert with a relationship
theme gave the audience a wide range of music styles to listen to and
enjoy. The beautiful voice of Christina
Wilson, her relaxed and, at times, humorous interaction with the audience and the fine playing of Alan Hicks provided
a very pleasant afternoon’s entertainment.
Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard in Artsound FM 92.7’s ‘Artcetera’ program on Saturday mornings
from 9.00am.
