Caribbean rhythms and spirituals fill the Paul Hamlyn's Hall at Live at Lunch (ROH, 22.04.2022)

Abigail Kelly (soprano) and Alice Turner (piano) came back to the Royal Opera House to give another warm-hearted and generous recital at Live at Lunch.

It was already a pleasure to see and to listen to their performance last year in November (the 26th of November 2021 exactly, at Live at Lunch), when they attracted many spectators of Afro-American origin and created an unforgettable pre-Christmas atmosphere with their tailored program, including pieces from the classical music, spirituals and Jamaican folk songs. It was the same warm-hearted and welcoming performance yesterday, with a beautiful smile and shinning personality of Abigail Kelly, accompanied by her trustful pianist Alice Turner.

The program was well-structured and each part and piece was commented and explained by Abigail. They began with three Baroque songs: Sweetest Bard from Ignacio Sancho, Depuis Longtemps Mon Coeur Soupire from Joseph Bologne and Henry A Ballad from George Bridgetower - composers, who are maybe unknown or less-known in Europe, but who represent a link to the Afro-American culture, on which Abigail is very proud of (she's of Jamaican origin herself). With those classical pieces she demonstrated that she had "what it takes" to be a world-class soprano, who frequently sings in operas, oratorios and other performances across Great Britain and beyond.

The second part of their recital consisted of several spirituals. As Abigail said herself, she listened to them from her early childhood and they were very special to her. The spirituals, that she sang, for example: My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, were arranged in the mid-50's by Afro-American composers and interpreters like Betty Jackson King or Margaret Bonds.

The third and final part of their program was dedicated to Jamaican folk songs, some of them arranged by Peter Ashbourne. In them, Abigail presented their way of life, sense of humour, but also sense for the rhythm, dance and joy - she herself started to move in Caribbean "fashion", which gave the music a lovely visual aspect and brought the public into a very spontaneous cheering.