Classic Melbourne
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Calendar
    • Terms and conditions
    • Apply to post your events
    • Post Your Event
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
  • Contact
Classic Melbourne
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Calendar
    • Terms and conditions
    • Apply to post your events
    • Post Your Event
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
  • Contact

Shakespeare in Love

by Heather Leviston 26th September, 2016
by Heather Leviston 26th September, 2016

Reminding us that “music be the food of love”, Songmakers Australia made a fascinating selection of excerpts from nine of Shakespeare’s plays, plus Sonnet 130, as interpreted by nine composers ranging chronologically from Berlioz to Alison Bauld. The chosen items sometimes centred more on madness and death, but all could be at least loosely connected with the title theme.

It would be difficult to come up with a more inspired way of opening the concert than having Andrea Katz enter alone to play Schumann’s Der Dichter spricht (The poet speaks). This warm, meditative beginning set the stage for Merlyn Quaife, as Queen Gertrude, to enter in brief dialogue with Nicholas Dinopoulos. Snatches of dialogue were also interpolated between several of Brahms’ Ophelia-Lieder (Songs of Ophelia) sung with persuasive concentration by Sally-Anne Russell.

Gerald Finzi’s Come away, come away death, from Twelfth Night, offered both a contrast of vocal colour and musical style as Dinopoulos, always a highly expressive and focused performer, used the dynamic range of his bass-baritone to dramatic effect.

An emphasis on thoughtfully sequenced programming was further established by the following duet as Quaife and Russell delivered the gentle undulations of Berlioz’ La mort d’Ophélie (The death of Ophelia) with relaxed and beautifully matched tone.

The madness element was extended with what proved to be the dramatic centerpiece of the evening: Alison Bauld’s 1982 gift to sopranos, Banquo’s buried. It is an absolute showstopper, particularly when performed by a soprano with Merlyn Quaife’s outstanding attributes. Musically and vocally gifted, she invested Lady Macbeth’s “Sleepwalking Scene” with the kind of contained intensity that compelled you to believe the piece had been written expressly for her. If you ever have a chance to hear (and see) her perform it, seize it!

Although Grainger’s Willow, Willow with its idiosyncratic rendering of the familiar traditional tune struck a more melancholy note, the general mood changed when Sally-Anne Russell injected her special mischievous sparkle into Korngold’s Under the greenwood tree. Along with Merlyn Quaife, she also enlivened Roger Fiske’s Spring with bright and breezy humour. Dinopoulos too invested plenty of humour in Quilter’s version of Sigh no more, ladies and his engaging personality allowed him to make the most of his stint on the triangle for the last programmed number, the slightly hypnotic duet by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s You spotted snakes with double tongue. Andrea Katz entered the spirit of the music with her customary sensitivity and attention to detail throughout.

The encore piece, involving all four performers, could not have been more appropriate. “Brush up your Shakespeare” from Kiss me Kate, Cole Porter’s take on Taming of the Shrew, featured a stratospheric obbligato by Quaife. Unforced and pitch perfect it provided an ideal upbeat ending to an exceptionally entertaining evening.

Of the many musical offerings to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, this would have to number among the most rewarding.

 

 

 

Heather Leviston reviewed Songmakers Australia at the Melbourne Recital Centre Salon, on September 21

The picture of Sally-Anne Russell and Andrea Katz is by Pia Johnson.

 

0
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
Heather Leviston

Heather Leviston has devoted much of her life to listening to classical music and attending concerts. An addiction to vocal and string music has led her to undertake extensive training in singing and perform as a member of the Victoria State Opera chorus and as a soloist with various musical organisations.

As a founding academic teacher of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, she has had the privilege of witnessing the progress of many talented students, keenly following their careers by attending their performances both in Australia and overseas.

As a reviewer, initially for artsHub, and also for Sounds like Sydney, she has been keen to bring attention to the fine music-making that is on offer in Australia, especially in the form of live performance. Heather is a valued member of Classical Melbourne’s editorial team, with her reviews of opera and vocal music valued by performers and audiences alike.

previous post
The Kingdom
next post
Need to know

Events Calendar

Loading view.
  • July 2022

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

1 event, 27

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

June 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

The next generation of Australia’s chamber music stars. Program Caroline Shaw Entr’acte Joseph Haydn String Quartet Op.76/4 ‘Sunrise’ Béla Bartók String…

$40 – $50

1 event, 28

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

June 28 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

A commanding, trailblazing oboist at the top of her musical game. In this concert, Diana Doherty unites with pianist Bernadette Harvey…

$49 – $115

0 events, 29

1 event, 30

7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

June 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

Xian Zhang, the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC Orchestra, joins forces with the MSO and…

$64 – $119

1 event, 1

7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

Xian Zhang, the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC Orchestra, joins forces with the MSO and…

$64 – $119

1 event, 2

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

July 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

lMelbourne Bach Chamber Choir & Orchestra, organ and soloists, conducted by Rick Prakhoff A programme of works on the theme of…

$25 – $40

0 events, 3

1 event, 4

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

About Duo Eclettico Award-winning Duo Eclettico explore the wealth of repertoire available for their unique combination of instruments – saxophone and…

$40 – $50

1 event, 5

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

July 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

Tracing the piano’s metamorphosis through time. About the artists Stephanie McCallum has become renowned for a pianistic practice based on refined…

$40 – $50

1 event, 6

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

Unrivaled energy and spontaneity inspired by the notion of destiny. About Arcadia Winds Arcadia Winds are trailblazers for Australian wind music,…

$30 – $37

1 event, 7

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

From brooding to vibrant with Brahms’s sonatas for cello and piano. About Kristian Chong & Friends Kristian Chong and Friends is…

$40 – $50

0 events, 8

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

0 events, 11

1 event, 12

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

A uniquely moving experience in celebration of women. About the artists The Parlour focuses on the sung storytelling of Art Song…

$30 – $37

0 events, 13

0 events, 14

0 events, 15

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

0 events, 18

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

0 events, 21

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

0 events, 24

0 events, 25

0 events, 26

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

June 27
June 27 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Affinity Quartet – Through the Looking Glass

June 28
June 28 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Great Performers Series: Diana Doherty & Bernadette Harvey

  • There are no events on this day.
June 30
June 30 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 1
July 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm Recurring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

July 2
July 2 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Melbourne Bach Choir: A Concert for Peace

  • There are no events on this day.
July 4
July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Duo Eclettico – From the Forest and Seas

July 5
July 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Evolution of the Piano

July 6
July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Arcadia Winds – Destiny

July 7
July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

July 12
July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

July 7
July 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kristian Chong & Friends – The Brahms’ Sonatas with Timo Veikko Valve

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
July 12
July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Parlour – Women’s Voices

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
View Calendar

Classic Melbourne’s reviews policy

audio
Our point of differenceby Editor Suzanne Yanko

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Follow us on Facebook

Classic Melbourne

Melbourne Arts Centre

Melbourne Arts Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

Introducing Classic Melbourne

audio
Speech at launch by Conductor Andrew Wailes

Your browser does not support the audio element.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

@2019 - All Right Reserved.

Read alsox

My Fair Lady

19th May, 2017

Dido and Aeneas

29th August, 2018

Georgy Girl

24th December, 2015