An Evening of Arias

This was the concert that almost didn’t happen. Young countertenor Alexander Hutton had put together a fabulous group of contemporaries ranging from a baritone through to two soprano singers. They were to be accompanied by their friend and colleague Chavdar Mazgalov on piano. Songs were duly chosen and two sets lovingly put together.

But as the concert approached first soprano Florence Cain, then fellow soprano Zoe Jackson and finally baritone Twm Tegid Brunton, were all struck down by the kinds of sickness that singers really don’t want.

Alex and Thomas Lidgley carried on and hurriedly reorganised the set lists until they had a varied repertoire suitable for their voices…and songs that they and Chavdar knew.

Friday night was freezing cold and misty. But our sell out audience made it in and were treated to a warming Moroccan stew with roasted chickpeas and cous cous prepared by Bev. It was just what the night required.

The barn looked beautiful as Ant had strung lights around the room. We sat facing the (newly tuned) piano and it all felt very cosy.

I’m hoping Alex will send me the list of songs that he Thomas and Chavdar performed. It was very varied, and they sang in German, French, Italian and English. The lieder, in memory of a lost friend, another Alex, who died in the summer, were especially lovely.

We’d have loved an encore but they had simply run out of songs. Besides Chavdar had to make a mad dash to Banbury to catch the last train back to London before the latest rail drivers strike kicked in as he had a concert in London today.

People hung around chatting to the singers, finishing their wine and accepting cups of tea from Ant.

Another wonderful concert with lots of familiar faces, as well as a few first timers.