Amore in concert
Sept 29, 2012 12:11:28 GMT
Post by John on Sept 29, 2012 12:11:28 GMT
I saw Amore last night in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall. This is the third time I have seen them perform live and they get better every time. Mind you, this was the first time where they had the whole event to themselves without sharing with other artists.
They sang without microphones and, although I was in the front row, I don’t imagine anyone in the room would have had any difficulty hearing – their power was amazing. They sang with just piano accompaniment (or none).
Here is the programme.
The first three numbers are from their album ‘Stand Together’ and sounded even better live, even without the orchestral backing.
‘Funiculi Funicula’ was a fun acapella arrangement written for Amore’s ‘Serenading Britain’ tour in the lead up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations .
The two duets (first ladies then men) are also on their album and came over brilliantly.
The last two numbers in the first half were less familiar to me, but still greatly enjoyable.
The second half opened with an amazing acapella rendition of ‘Scarborough Fair’. Their interweaving harmonies really are breathtaking.
The next four were lovely solos of English (or Scottish) songs, sung by Victoria, Peter, Monica and David respectively. All but the last were unknown to me.
Next was an addition to the programme – a wonderful acapella Happy Birthday song for one of their friends in the audience.
I have to say that ‘Amazing Grace’ usually bores me. I have sung and heard it so many times that even Hayley Westenra does little for me with this song. Amore’s version is different – their unusual arrangement with lovely harmonies and subtle changes to timing kept me in its grip, leaving me wanting it to go on even after the last verse. This arrangement is also on their album, so you don’t have to wait for a live event to hear it.
Mozart’s ‘Ave Verum’ gave the quartet a chance to showcase their beautiful traditional four part choral harmony.
Words cannot express how ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’ sounded. I was lost in the sublime harmony and was harshly brought back to reality when Amore stopped singing and left the stage.
Thankfully they were soon back for an encore – a greatly entertaining and vocally spectacular acapella arrangement of ‘O Sole Mio’, which brought a standing ovation.
Then it really was all over, apart from the chance to catch up with them at their signing session at the back of the room.
They sang without microphones and, although I was in the front row, I don’t imagine anyone in the room would have had any difficulty hearing – their power was amazing. They sang with just piano accompaniment (or none).
Here is the programme.
The first three numbers are from their album ‘Stand Together’ and sounded even better live, even without the orchestral backing.
‘Funiculi Funicula’ was a fun acapella arrangement written for Amore’s ‘Serenading Britain’ tour in the lead up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations .
The two duets (first ladies then men) are also on their album and came over brilliantly.
The last two numbers in the first half were less familiar to me, but still greatly enjoyable.
The second half opened with an amazing acapella rendition of ‘Scarborough Fair’. Their interweaving harmonies really are breathtaking.
The next four were lovely solos of English (or Scottish) songs, sung by Victoria, Peter, Monica and David respectively. All but the last were unknown to me.
Next was an addition to the programme – a wonderful acapella Happy Birthday song for one of their friends in the audience.
I have to say that ‘Amazing Grace’ usually bores me. I have sung and heard it so many times that even Hayley Westenra does little for me with this song. Amore’s version is different – their unusual arrangement with lovely harmonies and subtle changes to timing kept me in its grip, leaving me wanting it to go on even after the last verse. This arrangement is also on their album, so you don’t have to wait for a live event to hear it.
Mozart’s ‘Ave Verum’ gave the quartet a chance to showcase their beautiful traditional four part choral harmony.
Words cannot express how ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’ sounded. I was lost in the sublime harmony and was harshly brought back to reality when Amore stopped singing and left the stage.
Thankfully they were soon back for an encore – a greatly entertaining and vocally spectacular acapella arrangement of ‘O Sole Mio’, which brought a standing ovation.
Then it really was all over, apart from the chance to catch up with them at their signing session at the back of the room.