Albert Hall, Canberra, Feb 7th,
8th and 9th.
Reviewed by Bill Stephens.
There’s something
very special about sitting in the historic Albert Hall at dusk on a balmy
summer evening, at a table bedecked with a crisp white tablecloth in the
flickering candlelight from a silver candelabra, listening to an impressive program
of well-chosen light classical music presented by a company of handsome young
emerging opera singers and musicians assembled from around Australia and
indeed, the world.
“Opera by
Candlelight” is a concept perfected by enterprising local entrepreneur, Carl Rafferty,
which invites audiences to attend a banquet performance, for which they are
asked to bring their own food and wine, and to dress as extravagantly as they
please.
Guests are
seated in plush red chairs, at tables of 8 or 10, (various other configurations
are available), which have been pre-set with white tablecloths and electronic
candles mounted in elegant silver candelabra. On the stage, which is pre-set
with a huge central motif, tasteful red and black drapes and more huge ornate
candelabra, are a variety of keyboards and percussion. The effect, blended with
the historic architectural details of the Albert Hall, create a feeling of elegant
opulence, and the perfect environment for the concert to come.
Guests
arrived at 5.30pm to banquet until 7.00pm when the entertainment began with a
spirited trumpet fanfare from Zach Raffan, following which the entire cast, immaculately
groomed, the women in flowing evening dresses, the men in dinner suits, took
the stage to sing Verdi’s “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves”.
An eclectic
and generous selection of solos, duets and choruses, as well as the occasional
parlour song, or instrumental item, , followed throughout the evening, all
accompanied by an impressive quintet of young musicians and lead by Carl
Rafferty himself, either on piano or spinet, interrupted only by an extended interval to
allow the audiences to enjoy sweets and coffee.
The standard
of the singing was impressively high, if rather variable, among the soloists.
Polish soprano, Aleksandra Wiwala enchanted with several solos throughout the
evening, including an aria from Massenet’s “Menon” and another from Lehar’s “Guiditta”.
At one point she joined Kate Rafferty, to sing the lovely duet from “Lakme”.
Coloratura
soprano, Kate Rafferty, who has continued her vocal studies overseas since her
last Canberra appearances, dazzled the audience with several demanding solos,
including “Let the Bright Seraphim” for which she was joined by trumpeter, Zach
Raffan.
Other notable highlights included a fine
rendition of “The Donkey Serenade” by James Adams, Shane Treeves spirited
performance of “Goodbye” from “The White Horse Inn”, a delightfully polished
interpretation” from Karoline Rose O’Sullivan of Strauss’s amusing “Tipsy Song”.
Guest Artist, Canberra School of Music supremo, Peter Tregear, contribute a
stirring aria from Beethoven’s “Fidelio”.
The staging
of each of the items was simple and visually appealing, and the contribution of
the small instrumental ensemble lead by Carl Rafferty from the piano, and consisting
of Thomas Azoury (clarinet), Zach Raffan (trumpet), Liam Kenneally (violin) Warwich
Dunham (organ), Morgan Merrell (percussion) was integral to the success of the
evening, sprinkling the vocal items with instrumental highlights throughout.
Over several
years Rafferty has been steadily building a loyal audience for these Albert
Hall extravaganza’s, and as well as the Canberra performances, will also
presents these programs in the Mosman Art Gallery on February 15th
and 16th. Full details of these and forthcoming performances can be
found on his website: www.operabycandlelight.net
