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From Broadway to La Scala

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From Broadway to La Scala is a concert of music from the worlds of musical theatre and opera, performed by some of Australia’s leading singers in these genres.

Greta Bradman, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Lisa McCune are able to show their versatility in this production, performing popular songs from musicals and some impressive operatic songs.

I am not convinced I like the format of excerpts from musical theatre being followed by opera, but these singers are so skilled that each time they sing it is a pleasure, and the way in which the show is presented does allow them to be a little more relaxed with each other and the audience.

Unfortunately, tenor David Hobson was unable to perform at the matinee session at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre on Saturday [he did perform in the evening], but his absence was capably filled by James Egglestone and Tyran Parke.

Musical director Vanessa Scammell had the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra sounding sensational, and it was terrific to see them all prominently on stage.

Highlights included Tahu Rhodes launching into “Toreador”, from Bizet’s Carmen; his voice and physical presence are quite imposing, and he commands the stage whenever he sings.

Greta Bradman.

Greta Bradman.

Bradman was dressed in an exquisite range of stylish Greek gowns which gave her an appearance of classy, classical beauty but, most importantly, she sang beautifully, demonstrating why she is such a successful rising operatic star locally and internationally. She seems to hit the highest notes effortlessly and playfully smiles as she performs the most complex musical phrases. She is a joy to watch and her rapport with the audience was a delight.

The very popular McCune was thoroughly entertaining with her musical theatre performances, particularly songs from The Sound of Music, West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Call Me Madam. She was particularly impressive with her vocal skills in the incredibly difficult and rapid “I’m Not Getting Married Today” from Stephen Sondheim’s Company.

 There were several very big numbers which involved the quartet or even all five performers: “Libiamo” (“The Drinking Song”) from Verdi’s La Traviata was a great way to head off to interval, “Anything You Can Do”, from Annie Get Your Gun, was amusingly competitive while still allowing each singer to shine, and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, brought the audience to their feet.

An encore of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, which should have been stirring, was less assured, perhaps because of the last-minute replacements.

From Broadway to La Scala is a selection of very good songs that have stood the test of time, performed by four of Australia’s leading performers.

From Broadway to La Scala was presented at the Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, on Saturday afternoon and evening as part of a national tour which now heads to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. An album has also been released to coincide with the show.

 Greta Bradman will sing a soprano solo with the Adelaide Chamber Singers when they celebrate their 30thanniversary in November, and is also planning a regional tour later this year. Click here to read Bradman’s recent interview with InDaily following the release of her solo album, My Hero.

 

 

 

 

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