United Kingdom Mendelssohn, Elijah: Elaine McDaid (soprano); Dawn Burns (alto); Conor Breen (tenor); Kevin Neville (bass); Belfast Philharmonic Choir; Ulster Orchestra / Stephen Doughty (conductor); David Stevens (0rgan), Ulster Hall, Belfast, 7.6.2019. (RB)
Robert Beattie
CHORUS MASTER STEPHEN DOUGHTY IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BEATTIE
Stephen Doughty Tells Robert Beattie About the Work of the Belfast Philharmonic Choir
The Belfast Philharmonic Choir is Northern Ireland’s only symphonic choir. I went to listen to them perform in St Anne’s Cathedral a few months ago and was impressed with the quality of the singing and the range of their repertoire. The repertoire of the choir is exceptionally varied and includes key works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Bruckner. The Phil also champion new works and in 2015 they performed the world premiere of James Whitbourn’s The Seven Heavens which was written especially to commemorate the choir’s 140th anniversary.
They will be performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Ulster Orchestra on 7 June. I spoke to their Chorus Master Stephen Doughty about preparations for the performance and about the work of the choir more generally.
MULTI-FACETED MUSICIAN JOY LISNEY IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BEATTIE
Joy Lisney talks to Robert Beattie
I first came across Joy Lisney at a concert in London’s Purcell Room where she performed all five Beethoven Cello Sonatas with her father, James (review click here). I was struck by the extraordinarily high level of her technical accomplishment and musicianship, and her willingness to take on such demanding repertoire at a relatively young age.
The Met: Live in HD Ends Season With a Marvellous Dialogues des Carmélites
United States Poulenc, Dialogues des Carmélites: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Yannick Nézet-Séguin (conductor) broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera, New York to the Dundonald Omniplex, Belfast 11.5.2019. (RB)
A Sparkling Performance of La fille du régiment from the Met
United States Donizetti, La fille du régiment: Cast, Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera / Enrique Mazzola (Conductor) broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera New York to Dundonald Omniplex, Belfast, 2.3.2019. (RB)
A Superb Production of Sweeney Todd in Belfast
United Kingdom Sondheim, Sweeney Todd: Cast, Chorus and Band of Northern Ireland Opera and Lyric Theatre / Sinead Hayes (Conductor), Lyric Theatre, Belfast, 6.2.2019. (RB)
BARITONE SIMON MECHLIŃSKI IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BEATTIE
Robert Beattie interviews Simon Mechliński
The Wexford Opera Festival is famous for introducing rare, neglected and new works to the public. It also provides a forum for young performers to make their mark on the world. One such performer at this year’s Festival was 25-year-old Polish baritone, Simon Mechliński, who performed in Mercandante’s Il bravo (click here) and Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (click here).
Excellent Collaboration Between Conductor, Organist and Belfast Philharmonic Choir
United Kingdom Taverner, Vierne, Handel, Miškinis, Preston, Lauridsen, Parry: David Stevens (Organ), Belfast Philharmonic Choir / Stephen Doughty (Conductor), St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, 17.11.2018. (RB)