Presented
by: Carl Rafferty and the cast of “Opera by Candlelight”
31st October 2014.
Reviewed
by Bill Stephens
Canberra
entrepreneur, Carl Rafferty, has built up a loyal following for his “Opera by
Candlelight” programs which he presents regularly in the Albert Hall. Aimed
squarely at Andre Rieu aficionados, these excellently staged concerts are usually
presented in a banquet setting. Guests are encouraged to dress glamorously and
bring along their own supper to enjoy at tables set with white tablecloths and
shimmering candelabra.
 |
| Carl Rafferty |
The programs
generally consist of selections from popular operas, sung by immaculately
dressed rising young opera singers, accompanied by an excellent small orchestra
lead with considerable chutzpah by Carl Rafferty himself from a grand piano.
“Gypsy
Fire” varied from this format in as much as only one of the three performances
was presented in banquet style. The other two were given with theatre style
setting, accompanied by a generous champagne supper, which was included in the
ticket price.
It also
varied in that it was mainly a showcase for stunning Romanian violinist,
Rusanda Panfili, who was giving her first performances in Australia, and for
Rafferty’s soprano daughter, Kate, who is presently studying in Vienna. The
chorus and orchestra were still present, but for this concert, the
sixteen-voice chorus were mainly confined to providing glamorous mobile
scenery, and a couple of rousing, if under-rehearsed, opera choruses.
 |
| Rusanda Panfili |
Rusanda
Panfili set the “Gypsy Fire” theme early, opening the program with a thrilling
performance of Iguudesman’s “Flamenco Fantasy” complete with foot-stamping,
flirtatious glances and showy bowing flourishes. Every bit as glamorous as her
photographs, with a virtuosic violin technique and confident stage presence she
had the audience in the palm of her hand for the rest of the evening. A
generous performer she offered a succession of the exciting solos including a
dazzling “Hora Staccato”, a lovely version of Shostakovich’s “Romance” from
“The Gadfly”, and a virtuosic performance of the inevitable Monti “Czardas”.
She happily dueted with Kate Rafferty, joined violinist, Liam Kenneally, for an
excellent account of the Shostakovich “Spanish Dance”, and occasionally added
her considerable strength to the orchestra for some arrangements.
 |
| Kate Rafferty |
Kate Rafferty’s study in Vienna has certainly been well-spent. She impressed
with a generous program of coloratura showpieces among them terrific
arrangements of seldom heard vocal bon-bons including Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz
Serenade” and Lincke’s “Glow Worm Gavotte” which gave her the opportunity to show off
some spectacularly stratospheric cadenza’s.
She also performed Verdi’s “Caro Nome”, Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro” and
lovely arrangement of Lehar’s “Vilia” for which she was joined by the chorus
and orchestra. Her sister Anna was also contributed two Noel Coward songs
“Matelot” and “Nina”.
Rafferty
has already announced three more presentations for 2015. “Opera by Candlelight”
in February 2015, “Tenorissimo” in May 2015 and “Mozartmania” in October 2015.
If you’ve not already experienced one of these events, they’re worth watching
out for.
