Wonderful recital in St Giles, Edinburgh - a programme with great contrasts - well known Bach and Handel matched with Purcell's "The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation" - when Jesus went off to the Temple - this is a mother who has lost her child, and there was real pain in the beautiful music; and Weir's "King Harald's Saga" which was immensely varied as the soprano sings 8 solo roles, as well as the part of the Norwegian army! My only criticism was that the first piece, Hildegard's "O Euchari" didn't come across very well as she walked from the back to the centre but I suspect that was a consequence of the difficult acoustic of St Giles, as all the other songs were lovely.

I love her voice - I'd like to hear her live some time. Glad you enjoyed it!

Sounds as if it was a good night!

Ditto!



Amber
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Is her diction as good live as it is on the recording? I thought Emma Kirkby's diction was good, but Elin's seems even better to me. Unless its more modern recording tricks.

I like the unhurried speeds of the slower dongs on her disc too. She carries it off brilliantly without the pieces sounding to laborious. She must have wonderful breath control.

I think King Harald has come up in conversations on the board once or twice - I'd be fascinated to see it performed!

I definitely have to look this singer up, I do like Emma Kirkby's voice so she sounds like someone I might enjoy...

It has. It's on my list of things to get round to eventually....

I'm sure you would like her voice if you like Emma Kirkby. It is very much like Emma's being very pure, yet also quite original and a little warmer in certain areas. The more I listen to the disc, the more I appreciate the quality of her voice and just how professional she is. I wouldn't like to say one singer is better than the other - though Elin actually sings quite a few songs which Emma has recorded in the past and I find Elin's interpretation very refreshing, she's certainly not "copy cat". Elin is definitely going to be someone whose discs I shall collect, like Emma's.

Happy to report that in live concert -her diction is crystal clear. This is something I am very aware of as my own teacher is always emphasising it to me

I shall definitely be on the lookout.

As far as I know she only has the one recording out called "Eternal Light" - you can buy it cheapest with free postage for £9.99 from Play.com http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/3344241/Et...ht/Product.html

..... or I would have thought local libraries will start getting her CD in soon also.

Brill! Shall have to wait till next month methinks but I'm going to go have a look!