Elizabeth Watts sings Alessandro Scarlatti: Tonight Live at 7.30pm

[doversoul1]

The English Concert, directed by Laurence Cummings, is joined by soprano Elizabeth Watts to perform a selection of arias by Alessandro Scarlatti

Elizabeth Watts (soprano)
The English Concert
Laurence Cummings (harpsichord/director)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04nqlll

[doversoul1]

This was a most enjoyable concert as (almost) only live concert could be. The programme was very well put together, and although I’d have preferred more HIPP sounding (?) soprano, or possibly a mezzo, once the concert got going, it stopped bothering me. Ian Skelly’s presentation was as excellent as the performance. He never once used the words like ‘brilliant’, ‘fantastic’, ‘wonderful’, etc., but provided the listeners with well researched information. He was also spontaneous which communicated his enjoyment without making it sound ‘let’s share it’. All in all, this was an excellent programme (well, I liked it very much).

If you don’t mind not so much but slightly wobbly soprano, do listen. It is great that Radio 3 chose to broadcast live a concert of such obscure (unknown if you like) works. Well done and thank you.

[Lento]

Only heard the first half but enjoyed it much more than I expected, knowing next to nothing about A Scarlatti. I found the opener quite stunning as, it seems, did the live audience.