Joyce Didonato & David Zobel

A Programme of songs by Venetian composers or inspired by Venice

Joyce Didonato is a remarkable performer, a mezzo-soprano who has made the late baroque and early classical the core of her repertoire. She has an incomparable vocal technique but a lovely creamy tone to her voice. She has her many fans and many were at the Wigmore on Friday.

The concert was broadcast live on Radio 3 and it was a programme that ranged from Vivaldi into the very modern repertoire. She sang all those songs from the earlier composers with all her usual self-assurance. She has developed a particular love for Rossini  which she sings with particular élan. And as she confidently runs attacks the runs of notes with sparking technique applying quavering trills to the vocal decoration she equally comfortably inhabits the various personalities of his characters.

But the revelation of the programme was the songs of Michael Head on Venice written for Dame Janet Baker. Her admiration for Dame Janet was apparent from the first note and at times it might have been Baker herself singing as there were so many echoes of that lush honeyed tone which Janet Baker used to such effect both in Handel but most movingly in Elgar – her Angel in Gerontius being utterly unforgettable.

Michael Head chose some beautiful poems and the accompaniment was a richly textured as the vocal line was pure. The third song ‘Rain Storm’ was particularly finely written.

DiDonato then sang the five of songs Venezia by Reynaldo Hahn.  Hahn’s music is full of melody and frankly there’s nothing wrong with that – although I know many think such chocolate box music isn’t quite serious.These were songs are lovely and certainly easy on the ear but they’re much more than bonbons. And any any rate for those who might believe Hahn’s music merely straw it did not stop DiDonato from spinning gold from them.

Programme done there were two glorious encores which our girl from Kansas topped off with a rendition of ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ one could see that the purists in the audience might have found this a little too much schmaltz. I rather liked it – but that’s me a sentimental old fool easily beguiled by Dorothy’s derring-do in Oz ruby Slippers and all.

The best leider relies on a great accopmaniest and David Zobel played brilliantly but not flashily all evening and with great self-effacing sensitivity. The two clearly like each other and that always makes for great music.

The Wigmore is a very special place for those who love music and if you’ve never tried it – please do…you will not for a moment regret your decision.