European Academy of Music Concert

HSBC laureates. I never knew this company has affiliated with ciassical vocalism before, so I just came to see how the students are like.

First word: the Cultural Centre concert hall is inadequate for such a performance. As conclusion this should be held in a much smaller recital hall, like in City Hall or even better the APA one. There just isn't enough resonance for chamber music or art songs.

Ravel's String quartet started the show. It's nice and... I slept.

The tenor singing "On Wenlock Edge" is quite a typical lyrical English tenor with a very blending voice, not without resemblance to the famous Ian Bostridge. But he has an even softer and more relaxed tone, somehow lacking slancio during arias or musical. I suppose he is used to European halls and houses which is less spacious and more resonating; he could put more effort into singing without really going into strain.

The soprano has a velvet and enjoyable middle voice, but somehow not technical total complete as an opera singer. She is obviously not adapted to high tessituras and having some randomness in high notes. While she has quite some vocal appeals for most audience, being on the critical side, there are certain vocal dis-integrity and I failed to feel the pleasantness in her phrasing.

The baritone was the most promised singer. A loud, rich and effective, elegant baritonal timbre without any pushing. However I thought he pressed down his voice slightly when starting a phrase, which led me guessing he tried to imitate a basso tone. This should be avoided for sake of vocal healthiness.

Throughout the programme, the art songs were done in the best manner, while those Cosi fan tutte arias did show certain areas for technical improvement. This shouldn't be blamed seriously considering they are students after all. On the other hand, I did not feel enough boiling emotions in the West Side Story duet, which is a pity for this delightful, easily understood piece. The baritone was a natural, enjoyable Escamillo however.

This is first time I encounter such simple concert settings without any fanciness (and I understand it). Suppose this is how people conduct concerts in most small houses in Europe, a few people doing music and life is simple and nothing much else. The concert was hardly well attended; most of the balconies were empty. Audience responses were warm.

Albeit this show is part of Le French May, only the final Toreador is a French piece. Plus I really wished the booklet contained lyrics for the art songs. Plus plus, why couldn't there be an encore?