Samling Showcase, Wigmore Hall

Samling Showcase, Wigmore Hall | reviews, news & interviews

Samling Showcase, Wigmore Hall

This showcase sees the classical legacy in the hands of the new generation

by Alexandra CoghlanFriday, 10 December 2010

Sir Thomas Allen: Still master of a magical head-voice croon

In a world obsessed with the next big thing, I was surprised not to see a larger crowd at last night’s Samling Showcase. Since this masterclass programme for young professional singers started 14 years ago, alumni have included Jonathan Lemalu, Anna Grevelius, Christopher Maltman and Toby Spence – a roster that speaks for itself and for the finely honed ears at work within the organisation. Joined by patron and course director Sir Thomas Allen as well as pianist Malcolm Martineau, four of the current Samling Scholars took to the Wigmore stage last night to present themselves and a full programme of music to a curious public.

There is much to be excited about in the potential of South African Sarah-Jane Brandon's lirico-spinto soprano

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Permalink Submitted by Alan Smith (not verified) on Sun, 12/12/2010 - 19:12

It was a marvellous concert! Thomas Allen on great form... I am astonished though that any review would fail to mention the stunning rendition of the Act II Violetta/Germont duet - Sarah-Jane Brandon was utterly ravishing as Violetta - and it was poignant to see Thomas Allen in probably his last public performance of this iconic scene - what a great artist he is, and what an extraordinary artist Brandon is - this is a voice in a million - the next Kiri Te Kanawa, with even more creaminess in the sound!

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Permalink Submitted by Suzanne Tolley (not verified) on Sun, 12/12/2010 - 21:27

Mr Smith... You are right - I too thought the Traviata excellent, and am shocked this reviewer doesn't mention it - clearly she is preoccupied with contradicting herself.... I was blown away by Ms Brandon's artistry - and that voice! A voice from heaven! Thomas Allen was as always a joy to hear and behold. The other singers were all exemplary - but no one could hold a candle to Ms Brandon.... Though it has to be said Philip Smith was fantastic, I hadn't heard him before and really hope to again. Wonderful to have Malcolm Martineau at the piano again - the hands of God one could say!

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Permalink Submitted by Jeffrey Williams (not verified) on Wed, 15/12/2010 - 18:54

This review is full of contradictions. To say that 'musical satisfaction is never given at such events' is to miss the whole point of Friday's concert. The sheer expressiveness of Sarah-Jane Brandon's voice in itself had captivated the audience. It also fails to mention Daniel Wnukowski's sensitive and supportive accompaniment which was an essential contributing factor in recreating the magical atmosphere of the Liszt songs, or in the soaring splendour of Cecilia Hall's rendition of 'Sein Wir Wieder Gut'. Anyone reading the review who didn't attend the concert will not get a fair glimpse of the musical delight that we experienced as listeners.

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Permalink Submitted by alexandra.coghlan on Thu, 16/12/2010 - 12:21

I did not say that "musical satisfaction is not given at such events" but rather that "musical satisfaction is not a given at such events" - implying that since pleasure is not an automatic product of concerts of this format, the fact that these singers did manage to provide it was a bonus. Reversing my meaning will inevitably end up in contradictions.

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Permalink Submitted by Bluestocking (not verified) on Fri, 31/12/2010 - 20:33

Allen may not be doing the bigger roles he used to, but there are still things that he continues to get better and better at. His interpretations and stage presence get deeper and deeper-- witness his performance of Janacek at the Mackerras memorial.

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