Kozena-mathias-bothor-deutsche-grammophon * Notes *
Magdalena Kožená opened gave an abbreviated recital on Tuesday night in San Francisco. She was ill, and the low notes in her opening Purcell songs were a bit rough. Her accompanist, Karel Kosarek, seemed to lose his place during Schumann's Frauenliebe und -leben, but Kožená sang well. Her voice is rich and hefty. After the intermission it was announced that she would not being singing Berg's Sieben frühe Lieder, as her lower register was giving her trouble. She did sing Duparc's L'invitation au Voyage, and only one or two notes were problematic.

* Tattling *
The balcony of Herbst Theatre was nearly empty, and the audience was silent nearly the entire time. This performance did demonstrate why I had to be goaded into going. Recitals can be rather unsatisfying, even when the performer is quite talented, as was the case here.

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5 responses to “Magdalena Kožená Recital”

  1. Immanuel Gilen Avatar

    Scusatemi! I’m sorry it wasn’t a very satisfying experience 😦 . I will try to limit my goading for future recitals (but will not relent on operas and orchestral concerts).

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  2. The Opera Tattler Avatar

    No, it’s fine, she really does have a gorgeous voice, and I would have felt bad if I had missed it. Particularly since it was so empty, she deserves more of an audience. I’m so very easily goaded anyway!

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  3. Not For Fun Only Avatar

    Recitals are challenging for both audiences & performers, & unfortunately Tuesday night’s circumstances were far from ideal, so I understand Tattler’s sense of dissatisfaction. But this is no reason for less goading. Not everything is going to be a winner.

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  4. sfmike Avatar

    I feel your pain. Cabaret singers and art song recitals usually make me want to stop living.

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  5. The Opera Tattler Avatar

    I’ve been to some recitals that have completely wonderful, but it is rare.

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