"Fantastic night at the opera..."
Opera Alba...states its aim is "bringing opera to the people of Scotland and beyond".
This it achieves admirably, and much more.
"Fantastic night at the opera..."
Opera Alba...states its aim is "bringing opera to the people of Scotland and beyond".
This it achieves admirably, and much more.
"I am overwhelmed with the amount of cards we have received, thanking us for a lovely day. In every card Opera Alba have been mentioned and our guests can't praise you enough. Thanks for making the service extra special. The Deacon has also contacted me to say it's been the highlight of his diaconate. Thank you, Daisy, for spending so much of your time helping me decided what music to choose and for all your input over and above what anyone would require. The service wouldn't have been the same without Opera Alba."
Anne Marie and Stephen Kerr on the occasion of their wedding, 28th May 2010
"I contacted Opera Alba after a recommendation as I was looking to put on a West End musical night at Williamwood Golf Club on the 16th of January. Daisy could not have been more helpful in discussing songs and the running of the evening programme. I have to say that the evening was a huge success and I would have no hesitation in recommending Opera Alba for an enjoyable entertaining evening."
Alistair Campbell, Event Organiser, Williamwood Golf Club
"It was a very happy evening and a most memorable one for us. As the audience left, everyone said how much they had enjoyed the evening and hoped that we would book (Opera Alba) again. What more of an accolade could you wish!"
Dot Kemp, Cramond Kirk Music Committee
"I have to say that the evening was a huge success and would have no hesitation in recommending Opera Alba for an enjoyable entertaining evening."
Alistair Campbell, Williamwood Golf Club Event Organiser.
Is there a musical equivalent of a chocoholic? If so, there was a fair gathering of such persons in Greyfriars Church last Friday night, whose sumptuous appetites were well satisfied. The occasion? Music in Lanark's latest rich concert delights provided by Opera Alba, the operatic quartet of Daisy Henderson, Jenny Wilson Best (sopranos), Adam Magee (tenor) and Steven Faughey (baritone), magnificently accompanied by Derek Clark on piano.
Tasty morsels from the Opera greats were there to be savoured - Mozart, Verdi, Bizet, Puccini and others beside, all presented with polish and panache of the highest order. The varied selection of goodies encompassed passion, sadness, laughter and great amusement (who will forget Flanders & Swann's 'A word on My Ear'). The wonderful flow of the well chosen programme reflected the consummate professionalism of all the performers particularly evident in their beautiful balanced and crisp quartet items. A memorable evening, leaving all musical chocoholics – operaholics? - well and truly satisfied!”
Philip Fox, Lanark and Carluke Choral Union conductor.
"Coming so close to St Andrew's Day, it seemed entirely appropriate that Hawick Music Club's Sunday concert should feature Opera Alba. Attracting a large and appreciative audience, the group of four singers, plus accompanist, offered something for everyone. Whether quartets, duets or solos, the presentation was very slick and professional, with repertoire ranging from the sublime to the comical.
At all times the singers were brilliantly supported by Scottish Opera's Head of Music, Derek Clark. And it was good to hear him on his own in some Schubert waltzes, plus the popular 'Farewell to Stromness', giving everyone the opportunity to admire the new Yamaha digital piano, a recent joint purchase between the Club and Tower Mill Theatre. Of vocal highlights there were many; from the mainly operatic first half, the famous duet from Bizet's 'Pearl Fishers' allowed us to enjoy the well blended voices of Alistair Digges and Steven Faughey. The second half featured a lot of folk songs - Kathryn Hannah's 'Blow the Wind Southerly' showed her voice as its best - but Daisy Henderson's 'finest' moment came in the hilarious Flanders and Swann song about the singer who is tone deaf. With the light-hearted 'Teddy Bears' Picnic', the afternoon was brought to an enjoyable close,
The general concensus was: an excellent afternoon's entertainment in an ideal venue. The audience numbers were very encouraging, so let's hope the Club goes from strength to strength".
Jim Letham
Venue - Hawick Music Club - 29/11/09
"The style of the evening was fine and the
commentary good and appropriate - the performers engage well with their
audience."
"An excellent mix with much to remember..."
For all those looking for a relaxed an light-hearted musical start to the Dundee holiday fortnight, the Tasting Rooms, South Ward Road, last night was the place to be, writes Garry Fraser.
As part of Dundee's Summer Festival, Opera Alba were there to present a mixture of favourites from opera and operetta, sung with a nice informality but with plenty of expertise.
The ensemble, Daisy Henderson (soprano), Jenny Wilson-Best (soprano), John Carlo Bellotti (tenor) and Steven Faughey (baritone) were in fine voice, with admirable backing from pianist Oliver Rundell.
The mix of music was excellent. The opening Brindisi from Verdi's La Traviata was a perfect introduction and the music, some familiar, some not so, flowed on courtesy of Dvorak, Moazrt, Bernstein and Puccini, to name but few.
There were many highlights and these included a wonderful Soave sia il Vento from Cosi fan Tutte and the famous quartet from Verdi's Rigoletto.
Any solos were performed with style and skill. but it was the ensemble singing, which Opera Alba are renowned, which gave a small but appreciative audience much to remember.
"Fantastic night at the opera..."
Opera Alba, formed only four months ago, states its aim is "bringing opera to the people of Scotland and beyond".
This it achieves admirably, and much more.
The quartet - tenor John Carlo Bellotti, baritone Steven Faughey and sopranos Daisy Henderson and Heather Stewart (the latter standing in for Jenny Wilson Best) - delivered a fast-moving repertoire.
The evening was off to a lively start with Brindisi from La Traviata, followed by a selection of arias from some of the greatest works of Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and Gounod.
Bellotti gave a rumbustious performance of Questa o quella from Rigoletto.
Another highlight was Faughey teaming up with the sopranos in an enchanting rendition of Soave Sia Il Vento from Cosi fan Tutte.
Altogether, a night at the opera to be remembered.
Bringing world class singing to the people of Scotland and beyond
