Schenkt man sich Rosen – CD review

“... My third birthday disc, a debut CD recital of operetta favourites by the South African soprano Michelle Veenemans, drew the surprise and delight of fresh discovery. Entitled 'Schenk man sich Rosen', this is named after the opening number from Zeller's Der Vogelhändler.

Given the singer's ravishingly lovely instrument, used with consummate artistry, her casket of vocal bon-bons defies the satiation that might follow repeated playing of this sugared repertoire. Try the second and third tracks, Lehar's heavenly 'Love live forever' from Paganini, and the same composer's ubiquitous 'Vilja' from The Merry Widow. And to cap this, play the penultimate track, Puccini's ever-popular 'Doretta's Dream' from La Rondine.

Throughout her programme, Veenemans offers singing that is characterised by exemplary diction and crystalline attack. Displaying a grasp of Viennese style in the grand tradition of legends such as Hilde Gueden and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, this singer never puts a foot wrong. She deploys her creamy soprano's extensive range, from a lusciously developed chest register to gleaming high notes, with a heady combination of abandon and control that constantly enlivens the music at hand.

The soprano's exhilarating singing is matched by the passion and commitment of her accompanists, pianist Willem Luitingh and violinist Bambie Heiberg. The three musicians' collaboration results in close-on an hour's listening that evokes the potent charm of palm-court music-making at its best.”

William Charlton-Perkins
August 2011
South African Publicist and Critic