A Little Bit of the Elixir of Love

The Donizetti was Scottish Opera’s pop-up version, and this was 30 or so minutes of great fun and great singing. Marc Mackinnon’s witty narration paved the way for Holly Teague (soprano) and baritone Ross Cumming to supply the essential arias and duets, and they did so with considerable verve and enthusiasm. Only two musicians completed the ensemble – Andrew Drummond Hughan (cello) and Sasha Savaloni (guitar) – and their accomplished playing proved that the world of opera doesn’t always need a full orchestral accompaniment.

A little bit of pop-up Verdi was to follow, but I had an important engagement with another composer – George Gershwin.

Rhapsody in Blue: An Afternoon of Gershwin

I’ve always been a fan of his music, and the lyrics of his brother Ira, but to have it performed by Ben Shankland (piano), violinist/vocalist Seonaid Aitken and bassist David Bowden made this concert even more mouthwatering. Both Ben and Seonaid are award-winners in the Scottish jazz scene (and now I know why) and I got there just in time to hear Seonaid sing my favourite Gershwin song, Someone to Watch Over Me, and this was sheer delight. From then on, the hits came thick and fast – S’Wonderful, Fascinating Rhythm, Lady Be Good – all delivered in sensational style.

But the best was yet to come. A string/piano arrangement of songs from Porgy and Bess was worth the admission price alone as was Seonaid’s version of The Man I Llove which was, I felt at least, straight out of the Astor Piazzolla hand-book.

Then to hear Rhapsody In Blue, with Ben on piano and Seonaid’s string ensemble – well this was the icing on the cake. It was a superb afternoon and I left, as I usually leave Perth Festival concerts, wishing the concert had gone on a little bit longer.