At the beginning of last year (2018) we heard soprano Rowan Pierce and lutenist William Carter in a private recital of Purcell songs which was a taster for a forthcoming recording, what would be Rowan Pierce's debut recital. The disc has now been released on Linn Records, with The Cares of Lovers featuring Rowan Pierce, Willliam Carter and harpsichordist Richard Egarr in a wide selection of Purcell's songs from one of his very first published pieces (1683), to Sweeter than roses from his final months (1695).
Last night (22 February 2019) the CD was launched with an audience of friends and supporters at St George's Church, Hanover Square with Rowan Pierce, William Carter and Richard Egarr. They performed three groups of Purcell's songs, first a contrasting selection of his secular songs, The Care, Dear Pretty Youth, The Fatal Hour, and Sweeter than Roses, then a group of theatre songs If music be the food of love, Celia hath a thousand charms, o ldead me to some peaceful gloom and She loves and she confesses too, and then finally three more serious songs, Music for a while, The Morning Hymn and The Evening Hymn. In between Egarr played Byrd's The Bells and Carter played Dowland's chromatic fantasia The Farewell.
Despite the largeness of the acoustic, Pierce's diction was admirable and I certainly look forward to hearing the disc. She brought a lovely range of colour and character to the songs without ever veering to far into the operatic, and was finely supported by Egarr and Carter.
The disc is available from Linn Records, and on-line.
Rowan Pierce is appearing as Papagena in Mozart's The Magic Flute in English National Opera's revival of Simon McBurney's production which opens on 14 March 2019, see ENO website.
Saturday, 23 February 2019
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts this month
-
What about blowing the box to pieces: composer Eímear Noone on writing for video games, films and TVEímear Noone (Photo: Andy Paradise) Dublin and LA-based composer Eímear Noone is known for her scores for video games, films and TV. She re...
-
Bellini: The Capulets & the Montagues - Brenton Spiteri, Jessica Cale, Masimba Ushe - English Touring Opera, 2025 (Photo: © Richard H...
-
Gimnazija Kranj Symphony Orchestra I get all sorts of mail, people sending my information on concerts and recordings. Everything gets gl...
-
The Berlin Singakademie building, designed by Carl Theodor Ottmer, 1825-1827, now Maxim Gorki Theater painting by Eduard Gaertner, 1843 Bach...
-
Rebecca Meltzer, Bertie Baigent & Guy Verrall-Withers with the Waterperry Opera Festival team in 2024 The arts administration world is r...
-
Mozart: The Magic Flute - Matthew Kellett - Charles Court Opera (Photo: Bill Knight) Mozart: The Magic Flute; Matthew Kellett, Alison Lang...
-
St Nicholas Church, Leipzig Where Bach's St John Passion first performed Bach: St John Passion (1725); Solomon's Knot; Wigmore Hal...
-
Ada Witczyk performing music from the 2023 Růžičková Composition Competition Violinist Ada Witczyk 's new album, New Baroque - Sonatas ...
-
Prokofiev: Overture on Hebrew Themes - Iván Fischer & Budapest Festival Orchestra - Southbank Centre (Photo: Pete Woodhead for the Sout...
-
Harry Christophers & The Sixteen in rehearsal - 2024 (Photo: Johnny Millar) Harry Christophers and The Sixteen embark on their 25th Ch...
No comments:
Post a Comment