13 March 2006
Beeld Plus

Michelle Veenemans a superb interpreter

Michelle Veenemans in Concert
Congo Road, Emmarentia
Low Steyn

The soprano Michelle Veenemans is a gifted singer, a superb interpreter. This Michelle Veenemans in Concert was highly satisfactorily, with many highlights. 

The aria Martern aller Arten from Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Offenbach’s “Doll Song“ from Les contes d’Hoffmann was as expected outstandingly performed. However, the surprise was this soprano’s excellent rendition of Ebben neandro lontana from La Wally of Catalani. Veenemans has always impressed as coloratura soprano and from excerpts from the bel canto operas, but in this very different style she equally excelled – a lyric and dramatic interpretation full of passion, as it should be, that one would not have expected. Well done! 

We also know Veenemans as a good operetta soloist, as evident on her CD – and in this category, her Czardas from Strauss’s Fledermaus was the best. 

Mother Barbara is splendid with her narratives and much better than most that always have to say something during concerts. 

Paul Ferreira is a good piano accompanist, and his support to Lizet Smith in works for clarinet and piano of Poulenc and Arnold illustrated his versatility with regard to instrument and voice accompaniment.  

With this concert as indicator, one can only look forward to more concerts from Hannie Hefer Promotions. 

(Newspaper review: Translation from Afrikaans to English)