Mezzo-soprano Ema Nikolovska made her Koerner Hall recital debut on Sunday afternoon just twenty-six years after first enrolling at the Royal Conservatory of Music. It was clearly an emotional occasion for her and justified the barely choked back tears in her introduction. The emotion though did not negatively affect her singing which was notable for, among other things, great control; emotionally and technically.
Show Me The Way is a new double CD from baritone Will Liverman, pianist Jonathan King and various collaborators featuring vocal works by female American composers. It draws on a wide range of influences from Ella Fitzgerald to Will’s mother.
There are several song cycles; some composed for the album or not previously recorded. There’s A Sable Jubilee with music by Jasmine Barnes and text by Tesia Kwarteng. It’s a celebration of “blackness” in various moods incorporating jazz influences into a complex tonal structure. It’s beautifully sung by Liverman and very skilfully accompanied by King on piano. Continue reading
operaramblings 