As someone who has never been to an opera before, I had little idea about what I was walking into. The only thoughts I had about the opera were images of grand halls, elegant singers and pompous crowds. I was anxious that I would enter the room and be judged by everyone in there, my actual experience was far from my preconceived notions.
Fleur Barron is a mezzo-soprano singer who grew up in the far east with her British father and Singaporean mother. She gained global acclaim for her angelic voice and found success in many corners of the world.
Accompanied by grammy award winning pianist, Christopher Glynn, Fleur took to the stage in an ankle length red dress and with her brought a hushed silence onto the audience. The room was a medium sized music hall filled with a diverse audience of the young and old, students and adults.
Fleur’s set consisted of a cacophony of languages from German to Spanish, all sung as if she were a native speaker. She sung pieces from composers such as Johannes Brahms’ Heimweh I-III and Xavier Montsalvatge’s Cinco Canciones Negras.
Fleur’s raw emotion and depth in her voice and her expertly crafted facial expressions allowed us as an audience to really understand the music, even though we didn’t necessarily understand the languages.
The concert covered a broad range of themes, from a piece on Cuba’s identity and oppression to traditional Chinese folk songs that reminded Fleur of her youth. Finally, ending in an encore of a humorous French number that just released energy into the room.
Overall, my opinion on what opera is has changed greatly. It isn’t just for the pompous and old, it’s accessible (as shown by the £5 entrance fee) and interesting for all walks of life – it even makes you feel more sophisticated! My advice is to get yourself down to the opera and experience the excitement for yourself.
Based at the University of York, YorkConcerts comprises around forty concerts each year and features international artists alongside the University’s outstanding student ensembles. Performances are held in the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall and Central Hall at the University, as well as at various venues across the city centre, including York Minster, the National Centre for Early Music and York Guildhall. Autumn/Winter 2023 highlights include the Jess Gillam Ensemble, the Shepherd Group Brass Band and Cory Band and Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening. Explore what’s on: www.yorkconcerts.co.uk.