The Sunday afternoon recital in St. Cartage’s Cathedral organised by Lismore Music Festival was a gem of an event set in a cool building at the end of a picturesque tree-lined avenue. Beautiful setting, wonderful singing by cast members of the Carmen opera.
Deirdre Masterson delighted with a Faure Le Berceaux – about the departure by vessel that would make a nice farewell to a Tall Ships Event. Ben Russell gave us a charming L’Invitation Au Voyage with a rich baritone voice.
Sandra Oman, a soprano known to Waterford audiences since Michael Hunt’s time at the Theatre Royal, impressed with Chasson’s Les Papillons and the echoing acoustic in the cathedral was beautiful.
The excellent bass, Eric Martin-Bonnet delivered the joy of the afternoon with a selection from Jacques Ibert’s Chansons de Don Quixote with power and presence.
Sandra Oman wowed the audience with Gounod’s Je Veax Vivire from Romeo et Juliette. The trill in her voice was indeed thrilling. She joined Deirdre Masterson for two splendid crowd-pleasing and popular duets – Barcarolle (Offenbach) and Delibes, Duo des Fleurs from Larme.
This was a beautiful finale to a wonderful concert with Jean Baptiste Millon on piano.
