<<<  <<  -- 3 --  Patric Standford    MAGICAL MUSIC THEATRE

Penelope Randall-Davis, another début, made her brief appearances as the Queen of the Night into spectacular and flawless events, not in this instance descending or flying in any way, but shimmering in a blaze of white gauze and piercing notes. Another magnificent discovery in yet a further début was soprano Noriko Urata as Pamina. Tiny in stature yet vocally gloriously expansive, she made both rebellion and regret as appealing and reached her height in the beautiful florid aria toward the end when, as a result of Tamino's imposed vow of silence, she believes his response to signify their love to be lost.

The rich bass voice of Chester Patton creates a fine and imposing Sarastro, and the strong mellifluous tenor of Charne Rochford as the priest, alongside that of bass Keel Watson, made the sombre duets into spellbinding listening. The orchestra was, as always, on top form, conducted by Paul McGrath, and this new production will be touring the North of England until early March.