Soprano sings of comedy and rage
A soprano switched style and emotion with ease while a guitarist provided contrast at Kintyre Music Club’s (KMC) monthly concert. Last Friday KMC hosted a concert by internationally acclaimed soprano Alison McNeill, whose grandfather was born in Argyll Street, and Persian/Scottish guitarist Sasha Savaloni. This provided a very enjoyable evening, with a well-chosen programme of songs from France, Scotland and Spain mixed with guitar solos. Alison switched style and emotion with ease, from the comedy of the Delibes song Marguerite, Elle est Malade, to the folk-like sincerity of Dream Angus and John Anderson My Jo and the galloping pace of The Deil’s awa wi the Exciseman. Further contrast was provided by Stuart MacRae’s The Lif of this World, a work for voice and guitar first performed at the St Magnus Festival and in the style of Scottish psalms, and Marco Ramelli’s Moon with its wordless vocal line, guitar music and recitation of a Persian poem to the moon. The Spanish music included songs by Rodrigo – Tres Canciones Espanolas, Granados – Tonadillas, and Turina - Dos Canciones Espanolas which gave Alison a chance to cover a huge range of emotions from comedy to rage and hate, which she did with confidence and conviction, carrying the audience. Sasha’s guitar solos provided contrast and included another piece by Marco Ramelli, two delicate arrangements of Schubert songs, Lob der Tranen and Am Meer and the well-known Andaluza, Spanish Dance Number five by Granados which many guitar players know well. As an encore the duo performed St Columba’s prayer, moving in its simplicity. Both performers communicated well with the audience and performed with confidence and conviction providing a great evening’s entertainment.