Hearing voices at The Stoller Hall: Manchester Camerata.

April 2024

Another warm welcome at the charming Stoller Hall for this Hearing Voices show, voices of the past and present, conducted by Brazilian Simone Menezes and featuring a performance from Mezzo-Soprano Karen Cargill performing Britten’s Phaedra.

Music also by Purcell, Pärt, Nick Martin and Beamish feature.

A moving start to the show as the orchestra on the stage were accompanied by the choir singing from above behind the audience which gave a special feel to the performance, captivating, and the audience were certainly rapt from the start.

A wonderful performance of Phaedra from the charismatic prescence of Karen Cargill, and Camerata had kindly provided a printed copy to refer to during the performance. A stunning work beautifully executed. The audience were indeed most appreciative.

Second part the choir were above the stage facing the audience and the lovely acoustics came into play wonderfully with the voices and instruments together having a clarity that was really special. There were 4 very different pieces, including Martin, Beamish, Tippett, altogether an arresting and fascinating performance.

The finale was stunning, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, the perfect end to the evening and we just didn’t want it to end, we were so wrapped up in the moment of the whole show and clearly the audience were too, the response of appreciation was so heartfelt and prolonged. Lovely evening!

Thank you to everyone involved from Manchester Camerata and Kantos choir, also including front of house and hospitality team at Stoller Hall who are always welcoming.

Photo credit Jay Cipriani

Christine Ince for Canal St Media

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Published: 8-Apr-2024 (7445)