Page 136 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

Baritones do as a rule leave me completely flummoxed. Such deep sonorous
voices only make sense to me if they’re generated by big set men with age on
their side. Mole is 22. His physical presence – he is remarkably tall stood in
front of the piano – combined with a steely distant look in his eyes makes for a
captivating self-assured performance. Watch him with the sound turned down
and keep an eye on his face – the storytelling in his facial expressions is quite
something.

The other Gold Medal finalists, tenor Thando Mjandana, soprano Laura
Lolita Perešivana and soprano Olivia Boen also performed songs and arias of
their choice. Accompanying the singers in the first half of the concert were
pianists Josh Ridley and Toby Hession.

This year’s judges featured: Professor Jonathan Vaughan, Vice-Principal &
Director of Music at Guildhall School; Huw Humphreys, Head of Music at the
Barbican; Gweneth Ann Rand, soprano and alumna; Jordan de Souza,
conductor; and the evening’s conductor Natalie Murray Beale.

Mole currently studies with John Evans on the Opera Course at Guildhall
School of Music & Drama where he recently gained BMus in Vocal Studies.

Such competitions are ever more important to highlight. Like the Bicentenary
Prize at the Royal Academy of Music in a couple of weeks’ time, and various
prizes at the Royal College and other conservatoires, prizes are the calling
card for higher education establishments and the work their teaching staff do
to develop the next generation of musical talent. One look at the competition
alumni for the Gold Medal demonstrates that point. Jacqueline du Pre (cello),
Simon Smith (violin), Susan Bickley, Bryn Terfel, Ashley Fripp, and Oliver