This concert featured soprano Marie Claire Breen, who began with Donizetti’s dramatic
Cavatina (from Don Pasquale), accompanied by Antony Brannick on piano. This song brought out her full, rich voice. Then Antony alone played some lovely melodies by Grieg (Lyric Pieces Op 12).
The range of Breen’s lovely voice was demonstrated in the Grieg songs which followed (Sechs Lieder Op 48). In the sad “Dereinst, Gedanke mein” it was soft and subtle; in others strong and full.
After the interval she sung the romantic “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” by Puccini, followed by French love songs by Faure and Poulenc. Antony then played some enticing mazurkas by Chopin (Op 67). Last on the programme was Gershwins’ “Love is here to stay”. On demanding an encore we got a song by Lehar about hot kisses, concluding a concert with a lot of love in it.
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