Sunday - 4th July 2010 - 3.30 pm

The Catholic Centre, 2 Duke's Avenue, Chiswick, W4 2AE (Opposite Chiswick Library) See location map

Programme :

Verdi and Mozart Arias
R. Strauss Songs
Liszt Songs
and a selection from musicals

New Zealand born British soprano, Tanya Cooling was a Young Songmaker with Graham Johnson in 2007 and has performed as a recitalist at Wigmore Hall, St.John's Smith Square, the Barbican Centre, Cadogan Hall and St Martin-In-The-Fields and made her debut with the London Symphony Orchestra. She is the soprano soloist in the movie "The Duchess" and has worked with companies including British Youth Opera and the English National Opera.


Simon Lane is winner of the Accompanists Prize by the jury of the prestigious Royal Overseas League Music Competition in 2009, he has received many other awards including a Countess of Munster Education Award and the Worshipful Company of Musicians' "Maisie Lewis Award". Amongst his recent engagements was a performance of Beethoven Piano Concerto No.1 in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with conductor Matthew Wood.

Concert Review


On 4th July Blenheim Concerts had its very own Independence Day celebration given by two superb artists; the New Zealand born British coloratura soprano, Tanya Cooling, and her accompanist, Simon Lane. The balance and rapport between singer and accompanist was a real joy and together they presented an excellent programme which ranged from the serious and the dramatic arias of the first half to the effervescence and vitality of the second.

The repertoire chosen for the concert showcased Tanya's voice in all its variety. She has an exceptional range, with an evenness of tone stretching from her lowest register to the bell-like purity of her top notes. This fine coloratura singer opened with Caro nome from Verdi's opera Rigoletto giving an immediate taste of the precision, agility and beautiful melodic line of what was to come. A group of Richard Strauss songs particularly gave the audience the opportunity to appreciate Simon's excellent technique; always sensitive, supportive and exquisite in every detail. His pianistic skill positively sparkled in the song, Ständchen (Serenade).

Two songs by Liszt, Enfant, si j'étais roi (Child, if I were king) and Oh, Quand je dors (Oh, when I sleep) were just delightful; the first robust with a melting end and the second contemplative, with beautifully phrased interjections in the accompaniment and a poised, sustained high note to conclude with. The dynamic contrast from pianist and singer was rich in its variety and always beautifully controlled.

The second half of the concert opened with The Laughing Song from J. Strauss' Die Fledermaus and in this Tanya gave a wry, witty characterization of the song. Sondheim's Green Finch and Linnet Bird (The Ballad of Sweeney Todd) was most touching, Gershwin's Summertime, suitably languorous for a hot summer's afternoon and two Lehar arias, invigorating. Tanya closed the concert with an unaccompanied traditional Maori song which was unaffected in its simplicity. This was a splendid concert given by two very fine musicians.


Cecilia McDowall