THE NEW ZEALAND OPERA SOCIETY

Jamie Frater Homecoming Concert with Emma Sayers piano National Library Auditorium 7 April

Everyone at this concert was interested to note on the progress that bass-baritone Jamie Frater has made since commencing study with Margaret Kingsley at the Royal College of Music in London.

After placing third in the inaugural Lexus Song Quest Jamie continued study with Flora Edwards at The Massey University Conservatorium of Music and performed with various choirs in solo roles. He also performed as a notable, well sung and characterised, Bluebeard in the Conservatorium of Music’s admirable very stylish production of Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle last year.

From the start of this recital it was clear that his voice had developed and had opened up. His voice production and projection shows more freedom and the tone is richer and stronger.

The selection of repertoire was interesting and imaginative. He was lucky too in having the excellent and supportive accompaniment of Emma Sayers on piano. Her marvellous sensitivity and musicality is always an asset for any singer.

The three opening Duparc songs, L’invitation au Voyage, Soupir, and an especially heartfelt and attractive Chanson Triste demonstrated his nicely developed skills in presentation. The three songs by Brahms, Feldeinsamkeit, O Kühler Wald, and Sonntag were well performed and showed much improved German language, one of the benefits of quality overseas tuition.

It was a particular delight to hear some of Charles Ives’ interesting and clever songs and Frater relished and conveyed the humour in his writing. This was a much more comfortable and relaxed performer than we had seen before he went away.

The Songs my Mother Taught Me had a lushness and richness that was appealing. And in Tom Sails Away from the Songs of War the worry, weariness and nostalgia was very nicely captured. The swagger and bravado in The Circus Band was beautifully portrayed and delivered to the audience with a fine vocal line, warm humour and real “brio”.

The more intense operatic selections were presented with power and conviction and again a lovely free open tone. Figaro’s aria Se vuol ballare from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro was delivered with suave style and panache and a fine full tone. The heartfelt aria delivered by Valentin in Gounod’s Faust, Avant de quitter ces lieux suited him well and was delivered in good French.

Billy’s aria from Benjamin Britten’s opera Billy Budd is sad, poignant and emotionally affecting and Frater’s restraint, control and subtlety made the gut wrenching toughness of Billy’s predicament and the strength and power of Britten’s writing even stronger. It was a stunning performance.

And finally, again an imaginative choice in Per me giunto, Rodrigo’s aria from Verdi’s Don Carlos delivered with a good feel for Verdi’s lyrical musical line. It is very pleasing to see such positive progress and development in young singer and we can look forward to his solo part in the NZSO Mozart Requiem in August.

This was most enjoyable recital.

Garth Wilshere