Notable Recital By Australian Baritone

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 14

Notable Recital By Australian Baritone

The Australian baritone, Mr Brian Hansford, accompanied by Mr Maurice Till, was the recitalist at Thursday’s lunchhour concert. We were given one of those pleasant surprises which occasionally present themselves when little is known beforehand about an artist’s capabilities. Liaison in artistic matters between Australia and our country is not good enough when Melbourne can have such a singer as Mr Hansford and should not know of him. He is the finest singer to cross the Tasman in many a long day.

He sang Schumann’s “Dichterliebe” cycle and five Australian lyrics by John Antill. His voice has a resonance that rings like a great, well-tuned bell: it is based upon completely secure breath control and a line of vowel sounds placed so that there is never any sign of the voice being locked up. As a result, Mr Hansford can give fortissimo singing without strain or distortion, and the softest sounds with perfect clarity and liveliness of timbres. In many ways, both technically and in interpretative insight, his work strongly reminds one of that of Gerard Souzay. Beautiful legato flow, a wide range of tonal colours and expressive nuance, and clear understanding of the poet’s mind gave opportunity for Mr Hansford to interpret the tormented spirit of the Dichterliebe songs in completely satisfying fashion. It was a performance in which style, artistic intention, and

capability were most happily brought together. The John Antill songs, based on tribal legends of the aborigines, are stark but appealingly sympathetic. Strong melodic line for the singer which makes severe technical demands, and dissonant but splendidly atmospheric accompaniments give an authentic, interesting, and sincere character of these songs, which made an excellent foil for the Schumann cycle in a university recital. Mr Till’s accompaniment was an adornment to the singer’s interpretations in this arresting recital. Mr Hansford will sing at the university on Wednesday evening. —C.F.B.