These were the gardens of Spain, as interpreted by Saralouise Owens and Natalia Tkachenko at Wesley. The program had that title and interestingly, flowers and pines and various growing greenery appeared frequently in the lyrics, but this was more of love, mostly lost or rejected, amongst florid words and literary circumventions and Spanish rhythm and dance. Saralouise played the parts wonderfully, more operatic in presence than classical mezzo. I loved that presence and not unexpected from her. Natalia is back for a visit after leaving Canberra a few years back for greater Washington DC but she is expected back. What a wonderful pianist, the most glorious care and affection in her hands and awareness in her accompaniment. The music was several series of songs by de Fall, Lorca, Toldra and a few others by Valverde and Trad. Trad was a humourous song once sung by Anna Bishop. Saralouise is writing a theatre work on AB, once a well travelled singer, a scandalous woman who eloped with her lover, travelled far and wide through goldfields, including several visits to Australia, singing for several royalties, making and losing fortunes. Looking forward to Opera's Bad Girl when it's released but in the meantime, the earthy, emotive and clever Spanish songs did a treat.
Saralouise Owens (mezzo-soprano) and Natalia Tkachenko (piano) performed Spanish songs at Wesley.
