Libera Dreams

Surpinto wrote: ↑<span title="Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:47 am">6 months ago</span> Thanks for the videos, good stuff! Funny thing about Magic Flute, is that even though I've been an opera fan from a young age, I never realized that trebles were used for the three spirits until many years (any several performances) later, having heard and seen the opera with women singing those parts. Women are still used in most performances as good trebles are only made available for the bigger performances....I guess they're more of a hassle.

Interestingly, Mozart wrote several operas in which women play the roles of young boys and young men. Everything from Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro to Sesto in The Clemency of Titus. In the latter, the first performance was apparently done by a castrato, unlike the former which was always a woman's role.

Yeah, I mean London has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to choirs capable of providing opera treble soloists. Apart from Trinity Boys who provide soloists all over Europe, but particularly for Glyndebourne and Grange Park, and of course CVMS, there are soloists from plenty of other places. For instance the soloists in Jephtha at the ROH last year were Kaelan O'Sullivan and, the one I got, Ivo Clarke who is Temple Church (he competed in YCOTY against Luca). Ivo also sang in one of the trios at the ENO Magic Flute in March and the other members of the trio I saw were from different choirs.

Even then, some producers decide to use women in the parts. I guess it is just easier to do so, or they want to guarantee a big sound? Earlier this year I was at the Royal Ballet, and the third ballet of the evening was to the music of Faure's Requiem. It was stunning visually and musically, apart from one thing... the Pie Jesu was sung by a woman soprano!! The first time I have ever heard it not sung by a treble! I didn't like it. (she was heavy on the vibrato and it just sounded wrong to me)

I have heard a good rendition of Faure's Pie Jesu by a female soprano. I think it was the Edinburgh University Choir and Orchestra doing the Requiem, so all adults, and their soloist did a very good job. She kept it pure and very little vibrato, not the strongest voice, she may not have got many more standard soprano solos, but it worked well for the Pie Jesu. On the whole I still prefer trebles doing it but I think it can be well done by adult sopranos with the right voice sung in the right way.

Back on topic, my sister went to a showing of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King with a live music play along recently, and Trinity Boys Choir were part of that. She said they were excellent, especially the soloist, really good breath control and note holding (and she sings in choirs so unlike me she actually knows what she's talking about)

Cat-a-tonic wrote: ↑<span title="Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:17 pm">6 months ago</span> I have heard a good rendition of Faure's Pie Jesu by a female soprano. I think it was the Edinburgh University Choir and Orchestra doing the Requiem, so all adults, and their soloist did a very good job. She kept it pure and very little vibrato, not the strongest voice, she may not have got many more standard soprano solos, but it worked well for the Pie Jesu. On the whole I still prefer trebles doing it but I think it can be well done by adult sopranos with the right voice sung in the right way.

Back on topic, my sister went to a showing of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King with a live music play along recently, and Trinity Boys Choir were part of that. She said they were excellent, especially the soloist, really good breath control and note holding (and she sings in choirs so unlike me she actually knows what she's talking about)

I'm sure there are plenty of female sopranos who can sing it well, but the one I heard was not one of them. It should be a delicate piece evoking thoughtful reflection, not belting it out with buckets of vibrato... anyway...

Yes, Trinity Boys did concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, singing to LOTR pieces. If it was the recent ones then I think the soloist was Oliver Barlow.

Citlec wrote: ↑<span title="Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:58 pm">6 months ago</span> I also heard him sing Galina Ustvolskaya's Symphony No. 1 in February 2023. He is quite a talent! And seeing as Luckdragon was whinging that I should post more videos...

► Show Spoiler

Wow. That was worth whining for.

Both the boys returned later that year to record it with the LPO, but I don't think it's released yet.

Sunday (6/23) in Gosnay...

Citlec wrote: ↑<span title="Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:58 pm">6 months ago</span>

Cat-a-tonic wrote: ↑<span title="Fri Jun 07, 2024 10:17 pm">6 months ago</span> I have heard a good rendition of Faure's Pie Jesu by a female soprano. I think it was the Edinburgh University Choir and Orchestra doing the Requiem, so all adults, and their soloist did a very good job. She kept it pure and very little vibrato, not the strongest voice, she may not have got many more standard soprano solos, but it worked well for the Pie Jesu. On the whole I still prefer trebles doing it but I think it can be well done by adult sopranos with the right voice sung in the right way.

Back on topic, my sister went to a showing of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King with a live music play along recently, and Trinity Boys Choir were part of that. She said they were excellent, especially the soloist, really good breath control and note holding (and she sings in choirs so unlike me she actually knows what she's talking about)

I'm sure there are plenty of female sopranos who can sing it well, but the one I heard was not one of them. It should be a delicate piece evoking thoughtful reflection, not belting it out with buckets of vibrato... anyway...

Yes, Trinity Boys did concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, singing to LOTR pieces. If it was the recent ones then I think the soloist was Oliver Barlow.

Yes it was Oliver Barlow, my sister sent me the programme. I was wondering if it was the same Oliver that you'd mentioned before as a Trinity soloist so thank you for confirming that! We were talking about it again recently and she reaffirmed how much Oliver had impressed her, particularly with his ability to sustain the long high notes.

Speaking of Trinity, they are currently touring in China and are keeping a blog.

https://trinityboyschoir.wordpress.com/ ... 4-day-1-2/

I've been following the blog and it is an amusing read! They had their first concert now.

"The highlight of this half, according to audience feedback, was Arlo’s sensational solo, delivered with total poise, elegance and commitment."

That will be the Handel "Where E'er You Walk" which I heard Arlo sing in the tour preview concert a couple of months ago. It was my highlight of the whole concert, not just the first half. He is a fantastic singer.

https://trinityboyschoir.wordpress.com/ ... 024-day-5/

I just read their Day 5 entry and found myself chuckling along. Swinson has a wicked humour, which I have heard in person at some of his concerts, but I found this a hilarious read.

Edit: Day 6 they sold off one of the Olivers to raise funds for excursions!

https://trinityboyschoir.wordpress.com/ ... 024-day-6/





Edit2: OK I just give up, I literally give up!!!!

https://insidecroydon.com/2024/07/29/ch ... oys-school

Day 22 of the China tour and a funny story about being required to change into kimonos to access the leisure area of their hotel, and the potential trauma that awaits British boys in public changing areas.

https://trinityboyschoir.wordpress.com/ ... 24-day-22/

Their mammoth tour to China is nearly at an end!

Looking forward

Wonderful concert