It was a delight to hear and indeed to watch an up-and-coming operatic soprano, Sarah Tynan, sing four songs in German (we had the translations) as part of the New Year Viennese Gala.
Wearing a beautiful blue dress she sang the song sung by the widow herself as she entertains guests at a party - from Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow. From Die Fledermaus she was an innocent but teasing country girl in Spiel ich die Unschuld vom Lande.
Then came the laughing song, My dear Marquis, also from Die Fledermaus where the chambermaid tries to disguise her identity from a nobleman. And finally from an obscure opera work Outdoors in Sievering, an embracing the fresh air song the singing of which is relished by sopranos.
The other young star of the night was David Danzmayr, until six months ago the assistant conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Because he was born near Salzburg his charming and erudite commentaries as we went along gave the evening what we needed to be transported to that far away country of his homeland, Austria. If the traditional concert at New Year we see broadcast is for nowadays just a little stuffy, Sarah Tynan and David Danzmayr gave our version in the Usher Hall youth and vitality.
To herald in the New Year, the men of the not-quite-as-large-as-usual Orchestra were in white jackets and black ties whilst the ladies were wearing long dresses in a very fetching range of rich yet plain unpatterned colours. This happy concert could not have ended without the audience clapping to the traditional Radetsky March.
Event: Friday 7 January 2011 7.30 pm.