<<  -- 2 --  Malcolm Miller    COMPELLING MUSICIANSHIP

Ms Iván's rapid vibrato and power is well suited to the operatic repertoire, a selection of which the duo performed in the second half. Cherubino's aria from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro was projected with delightful zest, followed by a soupy 'O mio babbino caro' from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, and, to conclude, the 'Letter' aria from Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, which demonstrated compelling power. However the highlight was their performance of twentieth-century Hungarian music. Firstly, Vásáry's exciting performance of the famous Dances of Marosszék by Zoltán Kodály, one of his teachers (the other was Dohnányi) with riveting rhythmic energy, impressionistic colours and almost mystical aura surrounding each dance of the group.

It set the scene for an arresting aria from an opera by Petrovics, one of Hungary's foremost contemporary composers, entitled Lysistraté (scored for three soloists and chorus). Sung by the title role, its beguiling five-beat lilting pattern and sinewy chromatic melody whet one's appetite to hear more by this intriguing composer.

Hopefully audiences in the UK and elsewhere may be fortunate to hear Ildikó Iván and Vásáry in the near future in recital or opera; in the meantime we may appreciate her qualities in two imaginatively devised CDs of famous 'Letter' Arias and 'Anna' Arias (on the Hungaroton label).