Conducted by Simon
Kenway
Ayako Ohtake, Soprano
Caleb Son, Tenor
Laura Scandizzo, Soprano
Christopher Curcuruto, Bass-baritone
Livia Brash, Soprano
Pacific Opera Ensemble
Airena Nakamura, Solo Violinist
Llewellyn Hall 9 June
Reviewed by Len Power
Presenting a memorable evening of fine music and song, the
Canberra Symphony Orchestra Opera Gala showcased five young soloists and the
ensemble of Pacific Opera, conducted by their artistic director, Simon Kenway.
Pacific Opera supports young singers through a program of
education comprising artistic training, performance opportunities, and
professional skills development. Through this work, Pacific Opera cultivates
the next generation of Australian talent.
The concert, titled ‘Love and Lust’ included romantic arias
by Verdi, Puccini, Massenet, Delibes, Cilea and both Johann and Richard
Strauss. The soloists all displayed
impressive voices and technique as well as thoughtful and believable presentation.
 |
| Ayako Ohtake |
Ayako Ohtake’s beautifully clear soprano voice was particularly
impressive with ‘Caro nome’ from Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’.
 |
| Caleb Son |
Tenor, Caleb Son, gave a heart-felt and
nicely controlled performance of Puccini’s ‘E lucevan le stelle’ from ‘Tosca’.
 |
| Laura Scandizzo |
Soprano, Laura Scandizzo, thrilled the
audience with her soaring, dramatic performance of ‘Es gibt ein Reich’ from ‘Ariadne
auf Naxos’ by Richard Strauss.
 |
| Christopher Curcuruto |
Banquo’s aria from Verdi’s Macbeth, ‘Come da ciel precipita’,
was a fine showcase for Christopher Curcuruto’s rich and pleasing bass-baritone
and acting ability.
 |
| Livia Brash |
With her lovely soprano
voice, Livia Brash, sang ‘Una voce poco’ from Rossini’s ‘Il Barbiere di
Siviglia’ with confidence and a great sense of fun.
The Canberra Symphony Orchestra under the baton of
conductor, Simon Kenway, accompanied the singers extremely well. They opened the concert with an exquisite
performance of Verdi’s ‘Prelude Act One’ from ‘La Traviata’ and gave a notably
exciting and dramatic performance of ‘Polonaise’ from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Eugene
Onegin’ at the start of the second half.
Solo violinist, Airena Nakamura, gave a beautiful and moving
performance of ‘Meditation’ from Massenet’s ‘Thais’.
The Pacific Opera’s Ensemble of singers displayed their fine
voices in their accompaniment to several of the arias and particularly in Johann
Strauss’s ‘Champagne Trio’ from ‘Die Fledermaus’ and ‘Brindisi’ from Verdi’s
‘La Traviata’ that brought this delightful concert to a close.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 10 June.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.
