Mostly Mozart - Barbican, London 26/07/08

Thank heaven for Hillevi and her impressive breathing - perfect for her beautiful vocal delivery of Mozart's intriguing and complex character "Vitellia", in "La Clemenza di Tito" last evening. Her aria's were highlights of a very enjoyable performance. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightment were in good form too, conducted sensitively by Edward Gardner so that we could hear every note from the singers...quite a rarity....oooow ! Of course, the pitch is fractionally lower with original scoring, so I was really impressed when Hillevi was singing in the 'bass' area more familiar to Anna (Larsson) - but then Anna was amazing in 'Hillevi soprano territory' for "Orfee" - remember.....? That is what I find most interesting about the breathing technique they are both well practised in, and experienced with - it allows the singer to go well beyond the usually accepted voice ranges - good, isn't it ?!! Back to the Barbican - it was most noticable that Hillevi was the only soloist using air effectively - even my neighbour in the audience remarked on the fact that she had a much bigger selection of colours, dynamics, cadenza's and extended phrases - glorious - a singing lesson for all! The chorus, from Clare College, Cambridge, aquitted themselves perfectly - with an interesting 'mixed' seating plan - and sang naturally in the style of the period. Anna is currently in The Big Apple - (New York for the unenlightened), about to give them the pleasure of her immaculate intepretation of "Das lied von der Erda" - lucky they....It's boiling hot here in Berko - no need to go to Spain...phew.... quite hard work just breathing ....but please do .....k..p b.......g..