Lyrica Under the Stars

Waikato Times Review
What: Lyrica Under the Stars. Justine Allen and Loretta Wilkinson sopranos, Reece Pennington tenor, and Greg Ward bass baritone. Guest soprano: Breony Ven Der Wel.
Where: Medici Court, Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival
When: 8.30pm Wednesday 25 February 2009
Reviewed by: Andrew Buchanan-Smart
Lyrica managed to combine some of the soul and grace of the classical world with some excellent arrangements of classic pop, creating a Popera fusion in the Italinate style as they blended languages quite naturally, and the repertoire suited the voices. Their charm and strong voices outweighed any occasional technical sound imbalance which caused loss of intimacy.
The evening fell neatly in three sections, where costume changes by Justine and Loretta enhanced the music and mood. From the scarlett attired opening Prayer in the Night and the quality ensemble singing in Gira Con Me to the lovely balade You Raise me Up and the perennial Senza Catene (Unchained Melody), the wocen tapestry of vocalise was beautifully executed.
Guest soprano and local star in the making Breony Van Der Wel sang two Gershwin songs; her Summertime was exquisite.
The up-tempo section with the girls in saucy attire worked with the Mediterranean songs of Finiculi Finicula, Santa Lucia, Torna a Surriento and O Sol Mio. Granada with Reece and Greg concluded this lively and humerous.
The formal finale followed with the World in Union (of rugby note) and the gem of Nella Fantasia. Nessun Dorma was a fitting finale, and if you clap loud enough tonight you might be in store for another treat. This was a really good festival event of stars under the stars in a lovely setting with good atmospheric lighting. Not to be missed.

Lyrica is comprised of Justine Allen, Greg Ward, Loretta Wilkinson and Reece Pennington. Please click each name for individual Bios.

For more information, visit: http://www.lyrica.co.nz