Artistic song recital

Press, 14 May 1979, Page 4

Artistic song recital

By C. FOSTER BROWNE 5 A very pleasant and artis-i I tic song recital was given in ) I the State-Trinity Centre! s on Friday afternoon by Judy p Bellingham and Peter Hind.’i At the last moment their ac-, I companist, John Luxton, was;r stricken with an attack of migraine. The programme!! demanded a very skilled and ; experienced accompanist,!’ and it was to the singers’ |i advantage, and to ours as!) well, that they were able to find Miss Nan Anderson at]I home and willing to play’ for:, them. Her artistic skill andii fine technique made light of 1 i every obstacle. Judy Bellingham sang! seven lieder by Elgar. I am in Miss Bellingham’s debt in the last few days tor hm thrilling performance of! nido and now for rhe thrillsi

she gave in these fine songs by Elgar. It is cheering to, hear his compositions being sung again. To hear them: sung with the splendid technique which Miss Bellingham has at command is' really fine. . She has a voice of rich-! ness and beauty of tone at; every level of expression.! (When a pianissimo is re-i (quired it comes with clear; grip of the voice so that no] quality is sacrificed to get.-! ting the sound soft enough.; lit carries through the hall ion silken thread of finest: ; quality. When a fortissimo I is needed she can deliver it in full strength with no sign l I of .forcing, and it arrives! with quality unimpaired,; roundly resonant, grandly l spreading, and clear as a big i hpll All this v/irh rlaritv nf •

: enunciation and beautifully 'rounded kiuality, made its; magnificent effect. I . Peter Hind, now of .Auckland but formerly of Christ-1 'church, sang songs by) I Haydn, Schubert, Strauss,! (and Debussy. He has appeal-' ing quality of voice but still; needs a little anchoring of resonance to keep a good ; line of vowels firmly forI ward in production, and in keeping pianissimi from takI ing quality away as he soft;ens in volume. These things will come with attention and -with more experience. He *;sang his lieder with good taste and with style. 1 The recital ended wth two ; i duets by Purcell, “Sound the (Trumpet" and “My Dearest, 'My Fairest,” sung with comperiling artistry and with hpaiitv nf tnnp.