Critics praise Kiri

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 10

Critics praise Kiri

NZPA London An enthusiastic capacity audience at London’s Royal Festival Hall heard Kiri Te Kanawa sing several Mozart songs with the English Chamber Orchestra last week. -' ’’ '. ’ :

Looking radiant in a sparkling gold gown, Miss Te Kanawa was clearly the big attraction of the evening. She sang “Exultate Jubilate”; Zaide’s aria, “Ruhe Sanft Mein Holdes Leben”; and Donna Anna’s aria, “Or Sai Chi.l’Honore” from “Don Giovanni.” ■■

Amid cheers and calls for

lan encore she returned sevieral times to the stage before singing a further short piece from “The Marriage-of Figaro,” to the great delight of the audience. London’s critics shared the audience’s enthusiasm ’for the concert “Te Kanawa’s vocal agility and even line w_re well exemplified in the motet, “Exultate Jubilate’,” wrote Meirion Bowen in the “Guardian.”.

“Again, in Donna Anna’s aria, ‘Or Sai Chi I’Honore’ from ‘Don Giovanni,’ Te Kanawa’s singing acquired just the dramatic variety that was commensurate with this*

operatic character, but it was her encore, ‘Porgi Amore,’ from the ‘Marriage of Figaro,’ that showed off best her ability to sustain and shape a vocal line to perfection.” The English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by John Pritchard, played Haydn’s Symphony No. 95 in C minor and Schubert’s Symphony No. 3 in D. Later this month Miss Te Kanawa will sing with Donald Mclntyre. in the Rbyal Opera’s production of "The Magic Flute.” It will be her debut in the role of Pamina.