Lisa Cannizzaro,
Soprano
Jeremy Tatchell,
Baritone
Elena Nikulina, Piano
Wesley Music Centre
Sunday 18 August
Reviewed by Len Power
‘Iconic Inspiration’ was an inspired idea for a program of
art songs. Choosing songs associated,
directly or indirectly, with certain famous people added additional interest
for the audience as the program proceeded.
The singers presented an appealing mix of songs from various composers
including Mozart, Poulenc, Copland, Wagner, Britten and even Cole Porter and Gilbert
and Sullivan. This was an especially
fine concert with many highlights.
Lisa Cannizzaro, soprano, graduated from the Elder
Conservatorium of Music and began her professional career in 2007 with South
Australian touring company, Co-Opera.
She has also sung several minor roles with the State Opera South
Australia and has won several prizes for singing.
Jeremy Tatchell completed performance studies in viola and
voice at the ANU School of Music in 2001.
He has performed with Co-Opera and the State Opera of South Australia
and enjoys a busy oratorio and recital career.
Elena Nikulina graduated in 1999 from the Donetsk State
Conservatoire, Ukraine, with a Master’s degree in pianoforte and accompaniment. She has performed extensively overseas and,
since moving to Canberra in 2006, as well as continuing to perform and
accompany artists, she has won awards as a high-level piano teacher.
Early in the concert, Lisa Cannizzaro sang two songs by
Aaron Copland – ‘Simple Gifts’ and ‘At The River’ - with a quiet assurance that
gave these well-known songs an extra emotional dimension. She then quickly changed the mood to the
fireworks of ‘Clavelitos’ by Joaquin Valverde.
Her clear diction in this fast-paced song was especially notable.
Jeremy Tatchell sang four Don Quichotte songs by Jacques
Ibert with a fine sense of dignity and grandness that matched the subject. His ability to sustain some very low notes in
the songs was impressive.
Other highlights of the concert included Poulenc’s ‘Les Chemins
d’amour’ sung with great warmth by Lisa Cannizzaro and dedicated to
Picasso. Six Australian bush songs by
William G. James, dedicated to Nellie Melba, were beautifully sung alternately by
the singers and there was an especially fine accompaniment by Elena Nikulina. The duet ‘La ci darem la mano’ by Mozart was
an excellent showcase for the blend of the two singers voices. Jeremy Tatchell sang a heartfelt ‘O du mein
holder Abendstern’ by Wagner and Liza Cannizzaro movingly sang Britten’s ‘The
Salley Gardens’.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
