The Diary of One Who Disappeared

A selection of Brahms’ German folksongs was a light opener, with mezzo-soprano Anna Huntley using a little too much vibrato for this reviewer’s taste. James Baileu’s sensitive piano backing was as assured and evocative as always however. Britten’s Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo featured some beautiful singing from tenor Robert Murray, alternating from soothing to soaring to devastating effect. Janáček’s ‘The Diary of One Who Disappeared’ is a dramatic tale of forbidden love that was movingly conveyed by everyone involved, including a nice touch of three haunting offstage voices creating an otherworldly feel in the church. The finale had everything: pounding, bracing piano playing and gutsy, loud singing from Murray. A nice performance that never truly transcended, but was moving nevertheless.

St George’s Church, 21 May 2015

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