Music Monday - Bryn Terfel

I think out of all the vocal ranges, the bass-baritone voice is my favourite. I love the depth it has and how that depth can be used to express so many different emotions. This is certainly true in Bryn Terfel’s case who conveys such a variety of emotions in the various songs he has performed over the years.

Bryn Terfel Jones was born in Pant Glas, North Wales, the son of a farmer. He developed an interest in and talent for music from a very young age and was taught to sing by a family friend, starting with traditional Welsh songs. After winning numerous competitions for his singing, Terfel moved to London in 1984 and entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he studied under Rudolf Piernay.

In 1992, he made his Royal Opera House, Covent Garden début as Masetto in Don Giovanni, with Thomas Allen in the title role. He has since gone on to perform in over 30 operas at venues all over the world including Carnegie Hall, The Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, The Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels and La Scala.

Terfel has not shied away from popular music either and has recorded CDs of songs by Lerner and Loewe and Rodgers and Hammerstein. In 2001 he commissioned and performed Atgof o'r Ser ('The Memory of Stars') in the National Eisteddfod with the composer Robat Arwyn. In 2010 he released a double CD Carols & Christmas Songs which featured one disc of carols sung entirely in Welsh.

What I particularly enjoy about Bryn’s singing is his diction. Every word he sings is sung and finished so articulately that it adds to the richness of the piece. I’m not sure if he learnt this as part of his operatic training or just as part of learning different languages but the results are truly incredible in every song.

I have only seen Bryn perform live once which was at the Classical Brit Awards 2010 at The Royal Albert Hall in London. He sang Tre Sbiri from Puccini’s Tosca (a song which also features on his album bad Boys of Opera) and the sound was truly remarkable. It seems that bass-baritones are often cast as the villains in operas and their characters usually meet an untimely death near the end but in the meantime they also get to perform some of the best songs.

One of my favourite songs from his Christmas album was the duet he sang with tenor Rolando Villazon El Nacimiento (The Birth). Their two voices compliment each so perfectly and create such a gentle and calming sound they really bring out the meaning and emotion in the lyrics.

My other favourite duet of Bryn’s is when he performs the Pearl Fishers Duet. I have seen him perform this on TV with Andrea Bocelli which was incredibly beautiful and more recently at The South Bank Show Awards with one of my favourite tenors, Alfie Boe. On this occasion they were accompanied by only a piano which whilst lacking the grandeur and richness it has when accompanied by a full orchestra, you got to hear and appreciate the voices in their raw form and appreciate how well their two voices blended together.

Theatre Review - A Comedy of Errors

Two sets of twins both with the same names are separated during a shipwreck. 25 years on, their father Egeon, a merchant from Syracuse is arrested and sentenced to death for violating travel laws between Ephesus and Syracuse whilst looking for them. He tells the Ephesian Duke Solinus, of his search and is granted a 24hr reprieve to raise the thousand mark ransom necessary to save his life.

Meanwhile, also in Ephesus, one Antipholus and his slave Dromio are also searching for their twin counterparts. They are mistaken on many occasions for each other and in separating, encounter each other’s twin which in turn leads to further confusion. At times the plot gets so complicated with the different twists and turns that you feel the whole family could appear on an episode of Jerry Springer, but the humour that this provides is incomparable. Just like any good Shakespeare comedy, everything works out in the end, the mistaken identities are resolved, the twins are reunited with each other, their father and their mother and all live happily ever after.

This is Shakespeare comedy at its best; full of mistaken identities, wit, slapstick and energetic humour throughout.

There were two reasons that I had wanted to see this play. The first being that I am a great fan of Shakespeare’s work and this was a play that I had not yet seen. The second being, that I knew a member of the cast, Dominic Tighe from his former days with classical singing group Blake and I was keen not only  to see him but also eager to see the effect an all male cast would have on the production.

I was not disappointed in any way. The whole show was hilarious from start to finish and everything from the brilliant cast, the staging, costumes and of course the text contributed to the most side-splitting entertainment I had seen in a long time. The actors’ interactions with the audience also gave the play a more intimate and friendly feel which endeared you to the individual characters. It was high energy throughout, full of the wit and bawdy humour you would expect in an Elizabethan theatre but with a contemporary setting proving that Shakespeare is just as funny and popular today as he was so many years ago.

It was clearly a hit with the audience too as there were audible laughs, groans and noises of appreciation throughout. The Propeller theatre group really seem to have hit on the correct recipe for a successful show. The all-male cast does not detract your attention from the story at all and indeed they are performing it the way it would have been in Shakespeare’s day as female actors were not permitted in those days. I had not been familiar with their work before this but will definitely follow their productions in the future as I enjoyed this one so much.

I would thoroughly recommend this show, not just because of my association with it but because it is absolutely brilliant. It is impossible to sit through without laughing and proves beyond a doubt that laughter really is the best medicine.

If the show itself wasn't enough to delight, there was also the singing in the interval......

The Propeller theatre group are currently touring the UK (and parts of the USA) with A Comedy of Errors and Richard III - see below for listings and go and see them in your area. You will not be disappointed.

Tour Dates:

Tue 1 - Sat 5 February 2011

Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Box Office: 08448 11 21 21

Group Bookings: 08448 11 21 22

Tue 8 - Sat 12 February 2011

Coventry Belgrade

Box Office: 01332 555 666

Tue 15 - Sat 19 February 2011

Theatre Royal Norwich

Box Office: 01603 630000

Tue 22 - Sat 26 February 2011

King's Theatre Edinburgh

Box Office: 0131 529 6000

Group Bookings: 0131 529 6005

Tue 1 - Sat 5 March 2011

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Box Office: 01242 572 573

Tue 8 - Sat 12 March 2011

The Lowry, Salford

Box Office: 08432 086000

W/C 28 March 2011

University Musical Society, The Power Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Box Office: 001 734 764 2538

Wed 13 - Sat 30 April 2011

Watermill Theatre, Newbury

Box Office: 01635 46044

Tue 3 - Sat 7 May 2011

Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Box Office: 01752 267 222

Group Bookings 01752 260 960

W/C 9 May 2011

Madrid Festival de Primevera,

Teatro del Canal

Box Office: 0034 900 022 625

Tickets on sale soon

W/C 16 May - W/C 13 June 2011

Huntington Theatre Company, B.U. Theatre, Boston

Box Office: 001 617 266 0800

Tickets on sale soon

W/C 11 July 2011

Neuss Festival

W/C 18 July 2011

Galway Festival



Music Monday - Maksim Mrvica

The name of Maksim Mrvica may not be one you are familiar with, but the fact is, this guy is an incredible classical crossover pianist who has been thrilling audiences for years with his unique style and flair.

Born in Sibenik, a small, medieval town on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, Maksim first wanted to play the piano from the age of 8yrs old when he caught sight of the instrument at his friend Alexander's house. His parents knew nothing of classical music but were supportive of their son and helped him enrol in Sibenik's state music school.

He was 15 when war broke out in Croatia and life became almost unbearable for the Mrvica family. Bombs fell almost constantly on Sibenik: Maksim remembers “There were more than 1000 grenades a day. At one point there were seven whole days when we stayed in the basement and didn’t see the sun. “But you got used to it: you had to go on living.”

For Maksim, living meant playing the piano. He would meet his teacher Marija Sekso in the basement of Sibenik’s music school and forget the war, losing himself in the music for hours at a time.As well as grenades, there was the constant threat of being attacked by Serbian snipers – any time spent outside was a danger.

For three years the whole family slept each night on the concrete floor of the shelter in their basement. They occasionally were able to escape to a house on one of the islands off Sibenik’s coast, but although he was away from the bombs, being away from his piano was tortuous for Maksim and, despite the dangers; he always welcomed the family’s return to the city.(Maksim official website)

It would seem that even with all these challenges, it didn't stop Maksim from reaching his dream and in 2001 after meeting music impresario Mel Bush he signed his first record deal.

What I love about Maksim's style of music is how he takes a really well known piece of classical music and mixes it with a techo beat or electronic sound to create such a unique and individual sound. He has a real passion for music which shows in the way he performs and sometimes he plays so fast that his fingers are just a blur.At other times, the pieces are so gentle and tender that you just get carried away in the moment - it is so beautiful.You really feel the emotion of the piece through the way that he plays.

I had the opportunity a few years ago to see him perform live in concert with my friend Jillian and I remember just sitting in total awe the whole way through the concert. We got to meet him afterwards and were impressed by how humble he was and how appreciative he was of his fans. In meeting him you really get the feeling that his music isn't just a job, it's a way of life and he is just pleased to share his passion with others.

Look at his fingers fly in this piece - Rimsky Korsakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee

Interested? Want to hear more?

This week's recommended album list:

The Piano Player

Electrik

Variations Part I & II

A New World

Music Monday - All About Beethoven

A new feature I want to start today is Music Monday, where each week I talk about a musician, singer, songwriter, composer who has inspired me with their work and music. Top of that list has to be Ludwig van Beethoven! Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed listening to his music. I wouldn’t say I am familiar with every piece he has written and yet if I turn on the radio to Classic FM when they are midway through playing a piece I can instantly recognise whether or not it is Beethoven. I am not classically trained and haven’t had piano lessons since I was nine years old but there is something about this man’s music that just touches a chord in my heart. His music conveys so many emotions that it really is music to suit all moods, there are romantic, relaxing sonatas and concertos, invigorating and energising symphonies  - not forgetting the pieces to just let off steam too(1^st Movement of Symphony No 5 works for me every time!)

Many people will know the name of Beethoven and will probably easily identify him as the “deaf composer”. Anyone who has learnt to play the piano will probably be able to play Fur Elise and yet for most people their knowledge of one of the greatest composers is probably little else.

When I develop an interest in anything, it sometimes becomes an obsession and very soon I want to find out every bit of information I can – Beethoven was no exception. Luckily for me an English reporter and newsreader John Suchet (now Classic FM presenter) shares my love of Beethoven and it’s from him that I’ve gained much of the information I now know about him. Through his series of books and talks “The Last Master” my knowledge and appreciation for this incredible composer has grown.

Beethoven’s deafness is just one of the things about him that inspire me. How someone can write such incredibly beautiful, poignant and inspiring music when you are unable to hear it yourself is simply a wonder to me. He was said to have a volatile temperament and would often fall out with his friends in spectacular style. In May 1803 for example, Beethoven gives the first performance of the Violin Sonata op. 47, with the English virtuoso George Bridgetower as soloist. He dedicates the sonata to Bridgetower, but after Bridgetower makes an insulting remark about a lady, Beethoven withdraws the sonata from him and dedicates it instead to Rudolphe Kreutzer – hence the Kreutzer Sonata as it is now known. However, despite his renowned temper he was also very witty and would often compose musical quips or jokes. For his overweight friend, the violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh, he composed a piece Lob auf den Dicken ([In Praise of the Fat One), WoO 100, for full chorus and three solo male voices, the first line of which is "Schuppanzigh ist ein Lump" (Schuppanzigh is a rogue). It lasts around 30 seconds.

For such a great name in the classical music world he composed relatively few pieces when compared with Mozart and Haydn (both of whom he admired greatly) just nine symphonies, five piano concertos, one violin concerto, sixteen string quartets, one opera and yet these pieces are still played and revered throughout the world today.

One of the mysteries surrounding Beethoven’s life were the letters to his Immortal Beloved – who was she? In the 1994 film Immortal Beloved starring Gary Oldman, the film seeks to reveal the identity of this mysterious woman and whilst partially accurate does not reveal the true identity. Likely suggestions have been Giulietta Guicciardi; a young student of Beethoven’s who he fell in love with. It was believed that one of her parents objected to the match and so she married Count Von Gallenburg instead. Beethoven composed what is now known as Moonlight Sonata for her.

For another student and love Therese Malfatti he composed Bagatelle WoO 59. He planned to play it for her at a soiree at her father’s house and afterwards propose to her. It all came to nothing as he got horribly drunk that night and not only unable to propose but also to play the piece. Therese demanded that he still dedicate the piece to her and so he wrote on the top of the page of manuscript Fur Therese (For Therese). After her death, the original manuscripts was found in her effects and immediately recognised as Beethoven’s work. It was published under the title Bagatelle but the dedication was possibly mis-read...today you will know this piece (and maybe even able to play a few notes) as Fur Elise.

One of the most beautiful pieces in my opinion though is Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, more popularly known as The Emperor Concerto. I don’t think there are words to adequately describe how stunning this piece is, it is so delicate and intricate to start with and yet builds up to a full crescendo at the end. In the film Immortal Beloved it is played at the end when the letter to the Immortal Beloved is reunited with its rightful owner (although the film is inaccurate).More recently it was used in the film The King’s Speech as King George VI delivers his first full speech to the nation after his speech therapy. It is so incredibly moving and poignant that it really strikes a chord in the heart of the listener.

Want to find out more...here’s the recommended booklist:

The Last Master trilogy by John Suchet (v.1 Passion and Anger, v.2 Passion and Pain, v.3 Passion and Glory)

The Classic Fm friendly guide to Beethoven

Beethoven’s Hair by Russell Martin



Happy Birthday Bradley!!

If you know me, then chances are you'll also know my little shadow, my nephew Bradley. He is my one and only nephew (well official nephew) and really is the joy of my life.

8 years ago today Bradley came into my life, 6 weeks premature and weighing 4lbs 7oz, he was so incredibly tiny and we all fell in love with him instantly.

As the years have progressed we have become more than just auntie and nephew, we are best friends. We have a smiliar sense of humour and we both enjoy going to the theatre to see musicals. We've also been to classical concerts, opera workshops and  had many other great and exciting adventures.

Bradley has a great outlook on life which many people (including me) could learn from. He finds joy in even the tiniest things, whether it is a day out, a game or a walk. Like any child he comes out with some classic and yet profound statements which seem way beyond his years and yet his innocence is perhaps what makes these statements so endearing and honest.

Because of the work I do for a certain classical music website, Bradley has been to opera workshops and classical concerts with me - at one point I think he thought that part of going to a concert meant that you met the artists afterwards. The fact that the people he was meeting were well known singers didn't faze him at all and his ease with them just endeared him to them even more.

Bradley with Classical group Blake

With opera singer "Uncle Nick" Nicholas Garrett

I love this little boy to bits - I don't think I could love him more if he were my own child, and so in honour of his very special birthday today, I wanted to dedicate my blog to the boy who has brought me 8 years of laughter, happiness and hugs.

Happy Birthday Bradley!

T.I.S.W.A.S

“Saturday, Saturday,
Saturday is TISWAS day,
Saturday, Saturday,
Saturday is TISWAS
Never again to miss ’cos
Saturday is TISWAS day!

A TISWAS day is a doesn’t-matter day,
Fill the day with fun and have a laugh-a-day,
Have yourself a real mad-hatter day,
’Cos Saturday is TISWAS,
Never-again to miss ’cos
Saturday is TISWAS day!

This was the theme tune to a children’s TV programme aired every Saturday when I was younger. It was 2 hours of mad-cap fun, quizzes, phantom pie flinging and just general madness. But what does TISWAS stand for? Its definition was simple really: Today Is Saturday Watch And Smile. After a TGI Friday though, I think it should stand for Today Is Saturday Wear A Smile! Why not, Saturday is the first day of the weekend and the chance for us to have a fun and laughter day and that’s exactly what I did today.

I’ve always found the old adage “Laughter is the best Medicine” to be absolutely true. So to help you get into the TISWAS spirit, here’s a few of my favourite things that make me smile.....

The Blackadder series starting the fabulous Rowan Atkinson, 4 series covering different periods of English history and all featuring two central characters, Edmund Blackadder and his trusty sidekick Baldrick. The second series was my particular favourite as I love the wit and sarcasm.



The Vicar of Dibley

Another British classic comedy series featuring Dawn French as Geraldine Grainger the female vicar of Dibley village. This is one of my favourite episodes, not just because of the Da Vinci code references but also because it features the gorgeous Richard Armitage....

And whilst on the subject of The Vicar of Dibley & Richard Armitage, here’s another clip from the final episode in the series.



And if you think this next choice is slightly alien, then you’d be correct. I love this clip not just because it is funny but because my nephew cannot watch it without bursting into laughter every time he sees it. His laugh is so infectious, it’s amazing.....

So, as today is TISWAS day, go out and do something fun...and wear a smile, it increases your face value!



T.G.I. FRIDAY

Thank Goodness it’s Friday!!

The alarm goes off at its regular time and as you reach over to turn it off you experience a feeling quite like any other when you perform this daily ritual on other days of the week. There’s something about waking up on a Friday morning that is different from any other day. Somehow it doesn’t matter how bad your week has been, because the new dawn that a Friday brings, brings with it the promise of something we look forward to every week – THE WEEKEND!! Two days where we can relax from our daily schedule and do the other things we want or need to do. As a former shift worker I loved my days off but never really felt that Friday feeling. That was until I started my 9-5 job this year and now I’m in love with Fridays – especially at 5pm

So, in tribute to this fabulous day, I give you a song which sums up my feelings for this great day...

So whatever, your plans are for this weekend, just take a moment and enjoy that Friday feeling...it’ll be another 7 days before you get this joy again!

Film Review - The King's Speech

Once in a while a film comes along that just captivates the hearts of the audience from start to finish. The King’s Speech is such a film for me.

I have always been interested in the history of our monarchy but this era of history wasn’t one I was particularly familiar with. A lot of attention was always given to Edward VIII who abdicates in order to marry Wallis Simpson and we know of course that George VI reluctantly takes to the throne but I knew little else about him. This film therefore was a chance to see history happening as it portrays many of the events in that era.

It tells the story of Albert Duke of York (born Albert Fredrick Arthur George) and his struggle to perform his public duties whilst suffering from a speech defect which he has had since a child. His father, King George V whilst respectful of his son’s devotion to duty, doesn’t seem to appreciate the difficulties “Bertie” faces in his role. Elizabeth, Bertie’s wife searches out a Mr Lionel Logue of Harley Street who is a speech therapist and he works with Bertie to help cure his problem. The film ends as Bertie now King George VI gives his radio broadcast to the empire on September 3^rd, 1939 after Britain has just declared war on Germany.

It is a deeply moving story, perhaps more so because of the knowledge that it is a true story. It show’s of a man’s determination to do his duty (albeit reluctantly at first), of his struggles with his own feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy when compared to his father and his brother. It explores his relationship with them and also in comparison the relationship and love between him and his wife and also his friend Lionel Logue who stand by him and help him through all his struggles.

The star-studded cast is led by Colin Firth, who is brilliant as the King. He manages to portray so effectively the King’s character and speech impediment that at times I almost forgot I was watching a film. The film is often shot with close up angles on Colin which emphasize the facial expressions and mannerisms that are characteristic to a speech stammer and again this adds to the realism of the piece and you find yourself drawn in to the character. Helena Bonham-Carter makes an excellent Elizabeth and visually, reminded me of the Queen Mother in her early years. She is a determined yet very caring and compassionate lady who is extremely loyal and protective of her family. The moments in private with her husband and her daughters were very tender and moving, whilst in contrast some of her scenes with other members of the family and with Mr Logue showed her to be very spirited and strong. Geoffrey Rush’s character brings the whole film together as he helps to bring out the man inside the King and shows him he has nothing to fear as he is a great man. There are many scenes with him and George that are highly emotive and you really sense the bonds of friendship that grow between them.

Some of my favourite parts of the film were those that gave you more of an insight into the early life and character of the King. For example, his speech impediment developed around the age of five and for the best part of his life he remembers his only friend being his Nanny. His brother David (Edward VIII) would often mock him quite cruelly both in private and public because of his speech defect and his marriage to Wallis Simpson drove an irreconcilable wedge between him and his brother which lasted until death. There is also a small mention of Prince John (Johnnie) who was Bertie’s younger brother but was kept hidden away from public life because of his epilepsy and who died aged 13. Both Bertie’s parents are shown as being rather cold and lacking in affection, whilst in comparison, both Bertie and Elizabeth displayed many signs of affection with their own daughters.

The whole film is a delight to watch, deeply moving, highly emotive and yet there is a real sense of triumph at the end of the film. I was so captivated by the journey that Bertie takes that in the final scenes when he makes that historical speech I wanted to stand and applaud. As an audience member you really share the great sense of achievement as he completes the speech. You feel for his character and his vulnerability and this just adds to the charm and overall appeal of the film. Everything about this film is exceptional; the actors, the costumes, the storyline and the soundtrack. I must confess a great delight that the music for the soundtrack is all by Beethoven who for me composed such deeply emotional music and each piece used really complimented the mood and emotion of each scene.  

This film has given me great respect for King George VI and made me want to explore more about his family. The story of how he faced adversity and did his duties in spite of it is something which can give hope to us all. I would thoroughly recommend this film, it is utterly brilliant and a total delight and well deserving of an Oscar – or two!!

The actual broadcast by King George VI from Buckingham Palace, 3rd September 1939

Twelfth Night



Today is officially Twelfth Night or Epiphany. The day celebrated as the twelfth day after Christmas and the day when the Wise Men arrived to see the baby Jesus. In Spain, children receive their gifts from the wise men and leave their shoes on their window-sills full of straw for the Wise Men’s mounts.

It is considered bad luck to take down your Christmas decorations before Twelfth Night.

However, today’s blog is in honour of a different Twelfth Night - the play by William Shakespeare, “Twelfth Night or What You Will”. Believed to be written around 1601-1602 for Twelfth Night (Epiphany) as a way of bringing the Christmas festivities to an end. It has all the hallmarks of a Shakespeare comedy; mistaken identity, "comedy, love and a bit with a dog - that's what they want."...sorry I couldn’t resist the quote from Shakespeare in Love!

Plot Summary
Viola, surviving a shipwreck, walks ashore at Illyria, and immediately embarks on a gambit to allow her to make her way in a world of men. Dressed as a man, Viola, now Cesario, insinuates herself into the service of the Duke of Illyria, Orsino. Orsino longs for the love of a neighbouring countess, Olivia, who as she is in mourning for the death of her brother, repels his advances. When Cesario (Viola) undertakes Orsino's bidding and gains admittance to Olivia's chamber, she becomes infatuated with the messenger. Viola (Cesario) then falls in love with Orsino. To add to the farce Viola's (Cesario) identical twin, Sebastian arrives on the scene. Sebastian has also survived the shipwreck, although Viola thinks he has drowned.
Sebastian has been rescued by a sea captain, Antonio. But Sebastian is sad, for he believes his twin sister has drowned. The kindly Antonio gives him money to get along in Illyria but remains behind for the time being because the Illyrians think he is a pirate.

Living in Olivia’s household is her uncle, Sir Toby Belch, a merry character. Belch pretends to promote Sir Andrew Aguecheek as Olivia’s rightful suitor. Belch just wants to use Aguecheeck's  money. The steward of the household is the conceited Malvolio. Late one night Belch, Aguecheek and Olivia’s jester, Feste, are drinking and singing as they often do. Olivia's handmaiden, Maria tries to quieten them but they take no notice. Malvolio catches them and blames Maria for allowing them to behave so badly in Olivia's house. Maria and the others plan to gets their own back by forging a love letter from Olivia to Malvolio.

More confusion ensues with jealousy, mistaken Identity and fights and duels. Sebastian and Olivia fall in love and marry. Orsino realises that it is Viola that he loves and she agrees to marry him. Sir Toby Belch and Maria also decide to marry! Twelfth Night ends and everyone, except Malvolio, is happy and Shakespeare speaks of the madness of love. (www.william-shakespeare.info)

This is one of my favourite Shakespeare comedies and although I have not yet seen it live, I have seen it many times on TV and it never fails to make me laugh. The characters and plot are so cleverly written and the humour still so fitting that it is something which audiences can enjoy even today.

There are also many great quotes that are still cited:

“But be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

“Why, this is very midsummer madness.”

“Out of the jaws of death.”

One of my personal favourites, although not as regularly quoted, “Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.”

I think one of my favourite scenes (and I share this with my friend Heather) is where Malvolio, convinced of Lady Olivia’s love for him, comes to her dressed in yellow cross-gartered stockings, according to her wishes expressed in a letter to him and supposedly written by her. It’s all a hoax of course and adds to the general confusion and deception in the play, but is nevertheless very funny.

If there was ever a play guaranteed to banish the post Christmas blues, then this would be it. Twelfth Night or What You Will is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The quick & witty humour is not outdated and whilst some of the comedy may seem rather slapstick it is still nonetheless a great play. Why not see it for yourself and decide.  

Album Review - Bring Him Home by Alfie Boe

Despite having performed on Broadway and at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and having a hugely successful operatic career it seems that the name of Alfie Boe only really burst onto the scene following his spectacular performance as Jean Valjean in the 25th anniversary concert of Les Miserables at London’s O2 arena in 2010.

Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe, more commonly known as Alfie Boe, was born 1973 in Fleetwood Lancashire, the youngest of nine children and counts some of his earliest memories as listening to his father’s Richard Tauber records. He joined an amateur dramatic society at the age of 14 and performed the song Bring Him Home from Les Miserables as his first solo piece. At the age of 17 he became an apprentice mechanic at the TVR factory in Blackpool and would enjoying singing opera arias to his colleagues whilst polishing cars. It was whilst in this job that he was overheard by a customer who had connections in the music industry and suggested that Alfie audition for the D’Oyley Cart Opera Company. The audition was a success and Alfie left his job to embark on a music career. He studied at the Royal College of Music and in 2002 was approached by Baz Luhrmann to play the lead role in the Broadway production of La Boheme.

His first album Classic FM presents Alfie Boe was released in 2006 and since then he has gone on to appear in numerous opera productions, be nominated for two Classical Brit Awards and perform for Royalty. In 2007, he was appointed as an ambassador of The Prince of Wales Arts and Kids Foundation, a British educational charity working to inspire and educate children by introducing them to the arts. Alfie's role being to bring music, and opera in particular for those children involved.

In October 2010 he performed the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables alongside a cast of Musical Theatre’s leading performers at the O2 arena. His rendition of Bring Him Home earned him a standing ovation which went on for several minutes – something which I’ve heard has never happened midway through a performance in the whole 25yrs that Les Mis has been performed. He became part of musical theatre history when as an encore he performed with the Valjean quartet (Simon Bowman, John OwenJones and Colm Wilkinson all who had previously played the role of John Valjean in the UK) the most incredible arrangement of Bring Him Home which has subsequently been released as a charity single.

On December 27th 2010, he released his new album under the title of the track that had catapulted his recent success Bring Him Home. It is an album comprising of many well known and much loved songs from the world of musical theatre including Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific, Come What May from Moulin Rouge (featuring Kerry Ellis) and On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady.

The choice of songs is interesting as although they will be familiar to many, they are not songs that have been sung to death by other performers. They are also all songs that have a particular significance and meaning to Alfie which I think adds to the feel and overall emotion of each piece.

I have to say that I have been a fan of Alfie’s for quite a few years now. I have met him on several occasions and am always struck by how genuine, sincere and humble he is. He has to be one of the nicest performers I have ever met. He has a great sense of humour, interacts well with his audience and always takes the time after a performance to meet his fans. His voice is quite distinctive in that it appears to be gentle and melodious, full of emotion and passion but it is also very powerful and evocative. There are times when he sings, that he will pitch just one note with such perfection that it strikes a chord deep into the heart of the listener creating a truly magical moment.

His choice of songs on this album therefore is ideal as they allow him to portray all of these characteristics in his voice and for the listener; it is easy to get caught up in the mood of the piece.

The album is so varied in its style of songs that it has something which will appeal to everyone. There are songs from children’s musicals such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, there are the romantic ballads such as Come What May from Moulin Rouge and Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific and there are the more poignant ballads such as Tell Me It’s Not True from Blood Brothers. Each sung with emotion which really highlights the beauty of the music and lyrics.

There are so many wonderful songs on the album that it would be hard to pick just one favourite and indeed every time I listen to the album I find a different track that I enjoy. Each song is beautiful in its own way and listeners will find that they can connect to the songs in different ways as each will have special meanings to them. However, I will say that after seeing Les Miserables three times this year (once with Simon Bowman, once with John OwenJones and at the O2 with Alfie Boe) my favourite song is Bring Him Home. This is a hauntingly beautiful piece which is overwhelming in emotion I confess I cannot listen to it without being overcome, it is simply sublime. Seeing Alfie perform this at the O2 had to be the highlight of my year.He performed with such feeling and yet so naturally that the whole piece was incredibly heart wrenching.I think he should now have shares in Kleenex as I doubt there was a dry eye in the O2 after his performance.
 

One thing is for sure, this CD will bring many hours of listening pleasure and will delight both old and young alike. Pick up your copy and Bring Him Home today – you will not be disappointed!
 

For more information on Alfie Boe including upcoming performances in the UK and USA – visit his official website http://www.alfieboeuk.com/ or follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/AlfieBoe

Honouring Christmas in Your Heart - And all the Year Through

For many of us Christmas will end on Twelfth Night, January 6th and we will put away our decorations until December. Christmas will be over and long forgotten before we even reach Valentine’s Day – for some this may already be the case. But what if we were to try and keep the spirit of Christmas all through the year.

At Christmas time my family and I have a tradition that we either read or watch the DVD of A Christmas Carol. I must admit I particularly like the musical version starring Albert Finney but I do also try to read the book too.

As you will know, A Christmas Carol tells the story of the nefarious creature Ebenezer Scrooge, a despicable old miser who thought only of wealth and had little time for the poor and less fortunate around him. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner Jacob Marley who has come to warn him to change his ways. After being visited by three further ghosts, he learns this error of his ways and vows to honour Christmas in his heart and try to keep it all year through.

So what is the spirit of Christmas?

An unknown author wrote...

I am the Christmas Spirit!
I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder.
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax, and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old, glad way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears -- tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.
I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to be.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain, and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas Spirit.

President Thomas S. Monson, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said “The true spirit of Christmas is never found in a surfeit of things. It is less obvious in arrival and more lasting in impact.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Rings and jewels are not gifts but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself”.

So how can we keep the spirit of Christmas all the year? We can follow the example of he whose birth we celebrated and give of ourselves, our time, and our talents and share them with those less fortunate than ourselves. Returning to the story of a Christmas Carol, we like Scrooge can learn much from Marley and his mistakes.

“Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!''

How often are we guilty of this, we are so caught up in our own busy lives that we fail to see the opportunities to help others even when they are right before our eyes. Just like in the story, mankind should be our business – but how often do we attend to it.

I received a lovely book this Christmas entitled The Three Gifts, by Patricia Cook Orr. In it she tells the story of the three Wise Men that brought the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh and what happened to those gifts later in Jesus’ life. It is quite a compelling tale that captures the imagination and shows that even those these gifts were very costly, the gifts that are offered by him are infinitely more precious and are given freely today and forever to anyone who would believe. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ and at the start of a New Year we make resolutions to be better people, to emulate his example, but how soon do we forget these resolutions?

Will We Forget? - Michael Mclean.

A heart that’s been closed may be opening tonight.
A soul that’s been lost might believe it’s been found.
But six months from now on a warm summer night
Will we pause to remember, this night in December?
When we promised ourselves we’d keep that spirit all year round.
Will we forget the promise we resolutely made?
Will we forget to thank the Lord for all the gifts he gave?
We’ll say its human nature but something seems amiss
When there is just one time of year reserved for nights like this.


And six months from now on a warm summer night
Will any part of us remember, this night in December?
When we promised ourselves we’d keep this spirit all year round.
Will we forget these feelings, will we forget to sing
Will we forget the Christ-child came to give us everything?
We’ll have a hundred reasons why we have set a-side
These memories of this season when his spirit touched our lives.
But he who came to save us for all eternity
Has not forgotten those who need his mercy to be free
And oh, that number’s greater than the sands upon the sea
There is no time of year that he’s forgotten you or me.
He has not forgotten us, on any lonely night
And he has not forgotten, that our joy requires his light
He has not forgotten those, who are homeless as was he
And he has not forgotten you, he’s not forgotten me.

I hope that each of us can find a way to keep the spirit of Christmas all year round. In July and August when the TV commercials come round and start advertising Christmas, don’t roll your eyes and groan, but use it as check up on your resolve to keep the spirit of Christmas all year round -  just like Scrooge.

“Scrooge was better than his word.  He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.  He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.  Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms.  His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.  May that be truly said of us, and all of us!  And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!”

Happy New Year

This was the scene in London at midnight as more than 250,000 people gathered along the banks of the River Thames to welcome in the NewYear.

Elsewhere in a zoo, even the animals were joining in the celebrations...

Whatever the year may bring, be it good or bad, just take a moment out of your life and  follow the example of the penguin - Dance like no-one is watching!