Oxford Opera Company brought dramatic soprano Rachel Nicholls and pianist Iain Burnside to the exquisite new Levine theatre in the grounds of Trinity College for a fabulous evening of song at the Ambassadors Recital.
Rachel Nicholls had made her name in Wagner’s series of operas The Ring Cycle, and she brought her extraordinary vocal range and emotional characterisation to a programme of songs by Henry Purcell with the anguish turned up to 10. This was followed by Benjamin Britten‘s series ‘On This Island’, and Francis Poulenc’s satirical, sometimes gruesome and often funny sketches of early 20th century France.
She was beautifully accompanied by the gifted Iain Burnside. Like Rachel, Iain is deeply involved in both performance and support for younger musicians. And in the middle of the programme, Stuart Pendred (founder and artistic director of Oxford Opera Company), himself a fine bass-baritone, who treated us to a cycle of Gerald Finzi songs, to offer a gentler and more romantic touch to the programme.
The concert ended with Rachel Nicholls singing Korngold’s aria ‘Marietta’s Lied’, transporting the audience to a different place altogether. Stunning.
Which leads me to Stuart Pendred’s next venture, Puccini’s Tosca, being performed by Oxford Opera Company at Oxford Playhouse from March 28 – March 29 2025 as New Zealand born Samoan soprano, Marlena Devoe returns following critically acclaimed performances as Mimi in La Bohème and Pamina in The Magic Flute.
Be swept away by the majesty of Puccini’s music as Oxford Opera Orchestra, under the leadership of John Warner, bring this epic human story of love, lust, loyalty, corruption, jealousy, and revenge to life.
Sung in English and featuring members of the new Oxford Opera Youth Company this is a production not to be missed!
Sheila Bailey
Oxford Opera Company’s Tosca is at Oxford Playhouse on March 28-29. Book here https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/tosca
