SONG RECITAL

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33445, 29 January 1974, Page 18

SONG RECITAL

Flora Edwards, accompanied by Rosemary Miller Stott, gave a recital in the University Hall last evening under the management of the ■Festival Association. She sang Canticle 1 by Benjamin Britten. Ten Songs set by Vaughan Williams to poems by William Blake. Elgar’s | "Sea Pictures” and four folk; songs from Sussex arranged’ by George Butterworth. Her! voice has beautiful contralto texture with attractively: mellow quality in the middle and lower sounds.

The recital was. however, disappointing, for despite obviously sound training in phrasing, in sustaining of line, and in dramatic interpretation. the singer failed to make her words clear in this resonant hall, and everv high note was delivered with far 1

Joo much volume. When this [happens, a listener comes to fear the arrival of the next one and unavailingly looks for cover. It makes for tiresome listening, and the many good points in a performance become swept away in the tumult. i It is necessary that a [singer should take account of the acoustic qualities of the, hail and gauge the levels 1 which will suit these circumstances.

Rosemary O’Meeghan played the accompaniments for the Vaughan Williams; songs on the oboe with excel- 1 lent tone and with subtle phrasing and use of expression. Rosemary Miller Stolt gave colour, imagination, and vivid life to the piano accompaniments. —C.F.B.,