Page 537 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

singers glorious in ensemble (mostly, as is their wont, from memory, though scores appeared
once or twice, not sure why).

The 16 voices are a mix of born soloists and choristers less solid on their own, so the many
songs, duets and trios were of variable quality. Predictably outstanding were baritone Marcus
Farnsworth – though many around me were slumped by the time he got to sing the hauntingly
upholstered Sleep solo at the end of the unavoidably soporific Act 2 – and tenor Hugo Hymas,
while the most ravishing and sustained soprano sounds came from Carine Tinney (pictured
above with Farnsworth). Lóránt Najbauer carried out the sometimes embarrassing scene of the
Drunken Poet with natural conviction, and despite an excess of swaying, the relaxed demeanour
of the vocalists added to the likeability of it all. Would I have gone back after the interval had I a
choice? A moot point, but I would have missed some real splendours, and the end result was
one of joyous acclaim for these fine performers’ dedication.

• The 75th Aldburgh Festival continues until 23 June
• More classical music reviews on theartsdesk