An unusual and variously fascinating programme of vocal duets and solos was presented in the Lane Gallery last Sunday at noon. The duets were in German, French, Spanish and Italian, so it was a pity no texts or even summaries were supplied; the titles alone gave little or inadequate information.
Fortunately, the two gifted singers could be appreciated on a purely instrumental level. For instance, the four Cantigas (1982) by Van der Meulen, which were vocalised in all but name, were sung by Judith Mok with dazzling virtuosity. These unaccompanied songs had an improvisatory feel which was reminiscent of oriental music and the use of contemporary musical techniques was quite startling at times. Los pequenos cantos (1987) of Gandini set little more than the titles of the different songs, but Susanna Moncayo invested them with a wealth of dramatic feeling and her deep voice ranged from full-throated song to something approaching speech. This versatility was particularly evident in Piazz olla's two settings of poems by Borges.
Most of the programme was devoted to duets with Dearbhla Collins at the piano. Faure's three duets (one originally written for soprano and baritone!) were the most interesting in the skilled crossing of the voices - the songs by Brahms and Dvorak couldn't compete - and the two singers revelled in their chromaticisms.
La Pesca and La Regata Veneziana by Rossini had all the uncurbed vigour of an extempore session on the shores of the Mediterranean; one could imagine that the piano was mimicking indigenous instruments and that the singers were two girls from Naples or Sicily.