Smitten by Appl at Hugh Lane Gallery

I haven't been to the Hugh Lane Gallery for years and I'd forgotton what an elegant venue, the domed chamber is. Usually host to Sunday mid-day events, it was packed to capacity last night for a terrific  recital by young German baritone, Benjamin Appl and English pianist, Gary Matthewman. Appl, a BBC Young Generation Artist and an ECHO Rising Star arrived garlanded with rave reviews and I can vouch that he is superb. Appl's got it all; gorgeous tone, vivid, animated chacterisation and handsome to boot. His pianist was the equally excellent British pianist, Gary Matthewman who we heard last in Waterford with soprano Máire Flavin. Together they made up a powerful duo that wowed the gallery audience who were reluctant to let them go even after a very subsatntial and wide ranging programme that included German lied, French melodie, operatic arias, an Irish air and a show tune.
It was exciting to hear work by Waterford based composer and associate of mine, Marion Ingoldsby. Marion's new song setting of Yeat's Never give all the Heart' was a high point of the evening. Like most in the audience last night, my heart was enthralled by this smashing song team.

There are a few more dates remaining . Tipperary tonight, Cork tomorrow , Dun Laoghaire on Sunday All details here www.musicnetwork.ie Tickets on this Music Network tour are great value around €15 mark.

Audio of Sean Rocks super interview for RTE Arena here http://www.rte.ie/radio1/arena/#2027958

Des O Driscoll's interview for Irish Examiner here http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/travel/a-question-of-taste-baritone-benjamin-appl-discusses-his-favourite-artist-things-364385.html

Venue Notes : I loved the subdued lighting which added to the sparkle.

Robert Schumann: Widmung (Rückert) Op. 25 no 1

Francis Poulenc: L’offrande (Anonymous) FP 42 no 6

Reynaldo Hahn: À Chloris (Viau)

Edvard Grieg: Lauf der Welt (Uhland) op 48 no 3

Felix Mendelssohn: Auf Flügeln des Gesanges (Heine) op 34 no 2

Franz Schubert: Liebesbotschaft (Rellstab) D957/1
Franz Schubert: Die Taubenpost (Seidl) D957/14

Benjamin Britten: The Salley Gardens (Irish Tune)

Marian Ingoldsby: Never give all the heart (Yeats) - New commission by Music Network

Francis Poulenc: La maîtresse volage (Anonymous) FP 42 no 1

Hugo Wolf: Hoffärtig seid ihr schönes Kind (Heyse)
Hugo Wolf: Wir haben beide lange Zeit geschwiegen (Heyse)

Franz Schubert: Der Tod und das Mädchen (Claudius) D531

Richard Strauss: Allerseelen (Gilm) op 10 no 8
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Labours of the Heart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Fin ch’han dal vino (Don Giovanni’s aria from Don Giovanni KV 527)

Abandon
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Deh vieni alla finestra (Don Giovanni’s aria from Don Giovanni KV 527)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Madamina, il catalogo è questo (Leporello’s aria from Don Giovanni KV 527)

Desperation
Richard Strauss: Lieben, Hassen, Hoffen Zagen (Harlekin’s aria from Ariadne auf Naxos op 60)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Papagena, Papagena! (Papageno’s aria from Die Zauberflöte KV 620)

Danger
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Hai gia vinta la causa… Vedro mentr’io sospiro (Count Almaviva’s aria from Le Nozze di Figaro KV 492)
Benjamin Britten: Within this frail crucible of light (Tarquinius’ aria from The Rape of Lucretia op 37)

Sweet Romance
Richard Wagner: Wie Todesahnung… O du, mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram’s aria from Tannhäuser)
Frederick Loewe: On the street where you live (Freddy’s aria from My Fair Lady)
Encores Schubert Die Forelle Schumann Du Bist die eine Blume