Too few at recital

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 16

Too few at recital

An excellent recital of songs by Purcell, Elgar, and Copland was given in the Canterbup' Society of Arts building in Gloucester Street yesterday afternoon by Flora Edwards, mezzo soprano, accompanied by Rosemary Miller Stott. It deserved a very much larger audience. Mrs Edwards began with three songs by Purcell, sung stylishly with firm outlining of melody. Mrs Edwards has a powerful and steady voice full of colour, vitality, and vibrancy. The hall was rather too resonant for the power she sometimes used. Mrs Edwards followed these with Elgar’s “Sea Pictures” suite, five songs of magnificent worth and sung with authoritative manner and control. Wide range of colouring and expression was required, which Mrs Edwards most surely has. Her phrasing had lovely shaping and there was attractive warmth of tone.

Three American folk songs, arranged by Aaron Copland very charmingly, ended the programme with variety and piquancy. The second was the old gospel song, “Shall We Gather at the River," decked out in unaccustomed finery. Rosemary Miller Stott played the accompaniments with poised artistry. Her playing has confidence, colour, and clarity and her interpretations showed accord with the singer and sensitivity for meaning. There will be another concert on Wednesday next at 1.10 p.m. —C.F.B.