photography by Edward Lloyd Owen

Opera is supposedly my area of expertise and yet I forget how glorious an evening of opera can be. There is something overpoweringly emotional about hearing opera sung well, it has an almost healing quality for both listeners and performers.

Last week at Saint Peter’s Church in Notting Hill, guests gathered for an evening of Opera and the Classics. Despite the appalling rain and dropping temperatures, the audience turned up in their hundreds to watch and listen to a group of talented young musicians present an evening of musical artistry.

With a familiar Mozart Divertimento performed by the Artio String Quartet, the evening was off to a jolly start.  Next the two stunning stars of the night, Cecelia de Lisle and Charlotte Forde brought a new appreciation to the all too familiar British Airways theme, the Flower Duet by Delibes. Having sung the song myself, I know its difficulties and these girls handled it beautifully, judging the speed and intonation of the harmonised runs carefully to ensure the performance was spine-tingling, exquisite and perfectly together at all times.

There were violin interludes from Taro Visser who played three popular Romantic pieces. My favourite was Brahms’ Hungarian Dance, a frivolous composition which he brought to life with his light bowing and rich tone. It was lovely see a musician who clearly really enjoyed playing.

Providing us with some hearty Puccini was enthusiastic tenor, James Heath. And though I found his acting a little eccentric, his experience and talent was obvious in his rendition of the virtuosic ‘E Lucevan le Stelle’ from my favourite opera, Tosca. A heartbreaking aria to which Heath truly did justice.

Bass Philip Kay sang beautifully too, his rich, silky voice suited the Marriage of Figaro aria, where he portrayed the scheming Count with cunning glee.

The highlights, for me, came from the two girls, Cecelia and Charlotte, who were composed and utterly captivating throughout, visually and vocally. Cecelia’s ‘Vado ma Dove’ was sung elegantly and expertly from the piano and Charlotte’s ‘Casta Diva’ was devastatingly sublime, her top notes sending shivers through the whole church.

This group of talented musicians and singers ensured most of the guests left with tear-stained faces, uplifted by this sensational programme of timeless classics.

Concert in association with Vimba, supported by VWA Associates.