The Queensland Orchestra – Handel's Water Music – Sat 11 Oct 2008 – Conservatorium Theatre

The Bear says:

This was always going to be a highpoint of 2008; we've been consistently impressed by the Queensland Orchestra's "Intimate Classics" series, and this was no disappointment. Of course, it would have been hard to go wrong with a programme that included not only all three suites of the Water Music (played after the interval), but also "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba", which opened the concert.

A real and unexpected surprise, however, was the amazing voice of countertenor David Hansen who sang two arias from Giulio Cesare and one from Rodelinda. This was easily the most wonderful performance by a countertenor that I've head yet, and the response from the audience was enthusiastic to say the very least – some of the young ladies in the audience appearing to be on the verge of tossing their knickers on stage.

I clearly remember the first time I heard a countertenor, it was a Queensland Symphony Orchestra performance of Messiah sometime in the early 1990s singing parts that I'd always heard sung by an alto. I remember being shocked and even a little annoyed as my expectations were frustrated. But then, Queensland came late to the countertenor revival, and it took my ear some time to adjust. Hansen's performance tonight, however, finally shifted my appreciation for the countertenor voice from "accepting and tolerating" to pure admiration. Magic!

The Girl says:

What a wonderful performance this was.

I can't really add much more than The Bear already wrote. I had never heard a countertenor before and David Hansens voice was almost otherworldly in its beauty. Just awesome. And if you take a look at the link The Bear put in, you'll understand very quickly why the girls were ready to "toss their knickers" - angelic voice and gorgeous to boot :-)

From memory, this was our only Queensland Orchestra concert this year - again, a disappointing range of selections has limited our choice. I was also very sad to note that the Intimate Classics series has been dropped from the 2009 season. I can appreciate that with funding cuts, the arts producers are forced more and more to choose only the most popular selections, but it is sad all the same.