 |
 |
|
|
Visit La Scena Musicale Online Reviews. [Index] Critiques de La Scena Musicale Online
The First Jeunesses Musicales Montreal International Competition in Voice began their three marathon days of semifinals on May 30th. 51 singers from 21 countries are slated to participate. La Scena Musicale will cover the semifinals and finals on our website. Here is the first installment. I will be giving my own grades in the category of Voice and Performance. Visit http://voicejm.scena.org for up-to-the moment installments.
Aaron Judisch, USA, baritone, 10:00 a.m. First up was American Aaron Judisch in the Handel aria. Possessor of a strong well projected voice, Judisch has good stage presence. His tone is somewhat pressed in the allegro beginning. The aria section was infused with the necessary pathos. In the da capo, Judisch demonstrated that he has still not quite mastered the ability to sing fast or loud without pushing--it's close but a high note almost failed. English diction was excellent.
Jonathan Carle, baritone, Canada Mendelssohn: "Lord, God of Abraham" - Elijah
The extreme range of the Wolfe found Carle's high notes somewhat strained. The nerves of the competition might have been getting to him as he wiped the sweat off his brow.. Carle found more ease in the Fauré set. His soft tones were often unsupported, thus reducing their effectiveness. The Adieux was his best. The Mozart aria demonstrated that opera is Carle's strong suit. In character and in operatic voice, Carle was convincing as the Barber. In conclusion, a strong voice that still needs some finishing. Vocal: 80, Performance: 75
Krisztina Szabó, mezzo, Canada Mozart: "Laudamus te" - Mass in C minor
After a quick sip of water, more lovely singing in the Schubert lied followed. Her soft notes were well supported and her embodiment of the song was outstanding. Szabó closed the performance with the barnburner Amor by William Bolcom. I've heard this song done very well, but Szabó brought to it a real voice, by now a little breathy. Vocal: 90, Performance: 90
Daesan No, baritone, Korea Verdi: "L'Onore! Ladri" - Falstaff
In the Schubert, No showed that his instrument had the dynamic range for the art song, a confirmation of the Lieder prize he won at the 1999 Cardiff Singer of the World. No appropriately chose the slow baritone aria from Messiah that suits large voices like his. His reading of the piece was masterful, showing a clear concept of the line. The dark Nebbie from Respighi suited No's sensitivity and sombre reading brought down the house. Vocal: 93, Performance: 95
Obed Urena Hählen, baritone, Dominican Republic, Switzerland Handel: "The trumpet shall sound" - Messiah
The Mozart aria revealed less of those vocal inconsistencies while allowing the performer to shine. Urena Hählen was able to navigate the fast passages of the aria with gusto and capped the aria with a good high note that did not cut the line. The touching Turina song further demonstrated the baritone's sensitivity. The performance closed with Schubert's masterpiece Erlkönig. Urena Hählen gave life to the three different voices of the song, using his face and hands to emphasize the drama. The audience gave their first spontaneous bravos of the day. Voice: 88, Performance: 98
Maida Karisik, mezzo, Bosnia Bach: "Erbarme dich" - St. Matthew Passion
Karisik's approach to the Erlkönig was equally as effective. Her voice was more even than Urena, yet in this case Urena's theatric was just that much more entrancing. Sure on this shining night demonstrated Karisik's strongest suit, the slow song requiring the utmost sense of legato. Can she do opera? Absolutely. Her Werther aria was both musically and vocally convincing. Another spontaneous round of bravas from the audience greeting the artist. Voice: 95, Performance: 96
Based on what we heard this morning, 4 of the 6 contestant could go on to the finals, thereby making this one of the most interesting competitions. Stay tuned. Visit La Scena Musicale Online Reviews. [Index] Critiques de La Scena Musicale Online |
|
|
