BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007 Main Prize Concert 5: Orchestra of WNO conducted by Carlo Rizzi 7.30pm  14.6.2007, St David’s Hall (ED)

For each round of both competitions, Evan Dickerson offers his impressions of the competitors, their repertoire and the buzz from the audience. Here is his report on the fifth concert in the Main Prize competition.

CHILE: Maria Isabel Vera Mezzo Born 1977

Verdi: Condotta ell'era in ceppi (Il trovatore)

A commanding performance in every respect: voice, looks, dramatic involvement and personality. This announced a mezzo to really be reconed with – it’s only taken all week for us to get to hear her.

Saint-Saens: Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix (Samson et Dalila)

Good integrity of interpretation with a resonant mid range, brilliantly projected chest voice, and slightly wild top – all producing solid tone – underlined the quality and confidence palpable in her singing.

Donizetti: Fia dunque vero - Oh, mio Fernando (La favorita)

Much of the dramatic contrast in this aria was thrillingly explored.

General comments about the performer

A serious, established performer who could tackle dramatic mezzo roles with ease. Any opera house could cast her with confidence fully knowing her abilities in advance.

BULGARIA: Ivo Yordanov Baritone Born 1980

Donizetti:  Forse in quel cor sensibile (Robert Devereux)

Neat phrasing projected with an even, flexible tone. Not a large voice, but it has a warm timbre that suits the bel canto repertoire well.

Tchaikovsky:  Vi mnye pisali (Eugene Onegin)

Ivo Yordanov showed his individuality as Onegin by playing down the superior attitude that is often used to put Tatyana in her place following her impetuous declaration of love. Rather, he was a man who spoke his mind with simple honesty. The context of the drama though might require more feeling from the character to be totally effective, but when heard in concert the simplicity of it worked well.

Massenet: Ce breuvage...Vision fugitive (Hérodiade)

Donizetti: Vieni, Leonora...De'nemici tuoi lo sdegno (La favorita)

Both of these arias showed once again the relative lightness of Yordanov’s voice, particularly the Massenet, where his most imposing singing was still somewhat fighting against the imposing drama of the orchestration to be heard.

General comments about the performer

A stylish singer, who either needs to have a greater range of volume at his disposal or stick to carefully chosen repertoire areas.

FINLAND: Helena Juntunen Soprano Born 1976

Puccini: Mi chiamano Mimì (La bohème)

Clearly sung, with the right notes hit,but somehow unsatisfying as the performance never delved much beneath the surface of the character.

Mozart: E Susanna non vien...Dove sono (Le nozze di Figaro)
Again, poised, but somewhat unmoving despite a decent technique heard at work.

Gounod:  Ô Dieu! que de bijoux!...Ah! Je ris (Faust)

This should be perfect repertoire for Juntunen, like her other choices it makes sense on paper. But in performance precision won over against the breathless impetuousness of excitement, therefore missing a vital ingredient to make the music really come alive.

General comments about the performer

Potential for impressive performances was only partially met. Out of the pressure zone of a competition things could well materialise with greater ease. That’s how it is sometimes.

SOUTH AFRICA: Jacques Imbrailo Baritone Born 1978

Handel: Sibillar gli angui d'Aletto (Rinaldo)

Slightly imperious tone was brought by Jacques Imbrailo to Handel’s aria, which he phrased cleanly and with stylistic touches. The ornamentation he used might not have been ideally smooth in delivery, but it was original, showing intelligence in his approach to the music.

Mozart: Deh, vieni alla finestra (Don Giovanni)

Imbralio’s Don sang a serene yet discretely pointed serenade to Donna Elvira’s maidservant. Evenness of tone and stability of vocal support were strong qualities.

Tchaikovsky:  Ya vas lyublyu (The Queen of Spades)

The linguistic excellence shown here must be recorded, as must the legato tone and distinctly Russian character of the interpretation.  Clearly Imbrailo takes his Tchaikovsky seriously.

Leoncavallo: E fra quest'ansie...Decidi il mio destin...E allor perchè (Pagliacci)

Sensuality finished off a programme in tasteful style.

General comments about the performer

Many fine qualities made it clear that Imbrailo has a many qualities required for a career as gracefully stylish baritone. He should go from strength to strength.

AUSTRALIA: Miranda Keys Soprano Born 1974

Wagner:  Dich, teure Halle (Tannhäuser)

Against an orchestra in full flow, where was the grand sweep of Miranda Keys’ singing? This was largely a missed opportunity to impress.

Berg: Die Nachtigall (7 Early Songs, No 3)

The late romantic flavour of the writing was brought out, but the tonal quality behind her voice when under pressure can make her hard to listen to.

Sibelius:  Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte (Songs, Op 37 No 5)

Linguistically good, Keys also sanf this with piano accompaniment for the song prize. She can be challenged to shade down her naturally large voice convincingly at times.

Verdi: Santo di patria...Allor che i forti corrono (Attila)

Commanding stage presence for sure, but there’s much to beware in the passagework and the dangerously risky attack on forte top notes.

General comments about the performer

A voice that really needs to be brought fully under control before much more work can be successfully achieved in bring off the interpretation of opera’s dramatic soprano roles.

The Buzz From the Audience

Maria Isabel Vera was the talk of the audience. Many also held soft spots for Yordanov and Imbrailo, quite understandably. Miranda Keys was felt bu many to disappoint.

The Judges’ Decisions

Evening Winner:

Maria Isabel Vera. Justly popular and  greeted warmly as the winner.

 

The Main Prize  finalists are:

Chile: Maria Isabel Vera – superb choice – I think she’s in with a strong chance of winning.

England: Elizabeth Watts – I still have to be convinced of her abilities with orchestra in a large hall.

China: Shen Yang – popular choice; certainly has potential.

Hungary: Levente Molnár – of all the good baritones this year, why him? Not convinced of the reasoning here.

Australia: Miranda Keys – I think many present were genuinely amazed at this choice.

Evan Dickerson

The Main Prize Final will be broadcast on BBC TWO on Sunday 17th June (today) from 5.30 pm - 8pm Presenters: Sian Williams, Aled Jones.