Duo’s classical guitar and soaring soprano
They complement each other perfectly
A soprano and classical guitarist hailed as ‘quality music at its best – classical guitar and a voice to die for’ perform at Kintyre Music Club tonight. Both Masters graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, soprano Alison McNeill and guitarist Sasha Savaloni play a programme featuring French, Spanish, Scottish songs and guitar solos.
Captured
Radio Scotland’s Jamie McDougall said: ‘I was immediately taken by their understanding of the style and how they captured the mood and dynamic of the songs with enormous ease. ‘Alison’s poise as an artist, her ability to tell and put across a varied programme of Spanish songs was way beyond her years and experience, and this is aided by a solid vocal technique which allows her plenty of scope for colour and range to paint the pictures she is able to do with her voice. ‘Sasha is a world class soloist in his own right, but he is also an excellent accompanist and has an innate capacity to listen and follow, and was there for every nuance that Alison delivered. ‘They complement each other perfectly on stage. ‘Sasha’s slightly reserved approach is balanced by Alison’s warm and natural delivery, both are excellent communicators.’ Alison has performed as a soloist across the UK, Holland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Japan, America, Pakistan and Mexico, and has been broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal and Spanish and Mexican TV. Alison regularly works with Scottish Opera, including the roles of Mimi (La Boheme), Carmen (Carmen) and Yum Yum (Mikado). As a fine interpreter of Celtic and world folk music, Alison has performed for BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 3, Celtic Connections and the Scottish Parliament. She has headlined international folk festivals as lead singer and fiddler in the award-winning folk rock band Reely Jiggered, winners of the 02 ABC SoundWave music competition. A specialist in Spanish song, Alison is the 2012 winner of the Andres Segovia prize, the only non-native Spanish speaker to win this award.
Broadcast
As part of the McNeill Savaloni Duo, with classical guitarist Sasha Savaloni, the pair have broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped numerous times. They were the 2015-2017 artists-in-residence for Enterprise Music Scotland‘s chamber music project culminating in giving the world premiere of Four Attar Songs by Stuart McRae. They gave a recital in Madrid’s famous Clasicos en Verano chamber music festival which was recorded by Spanish national radio.
Recitals
Sasha has given concerts in Iran, Italy, Spain and throughout the UK, performing recitals in venues such as the Kings Place (London), Sage Gateshead (Newcastle) and City Halls (Glasgow). He has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the European Union Youth Orchestra. Tickets for the concert at 7.30pm in Lorne and Lowland Old Hall are free to Kintyre Music Club members, students and children and £10 for non-members.