By Justin Whyte,
Entertainment Editor
APART FROM her knowledge in the classics, and voice in particular, Colom-bian soprano, Trudy Bent has a strong commitment to works of her time. This she reaffirmed in a recital at the University Chapel, Mona, Monday night, to a sparse audience.
Trudy, who has been singing from age 13, but professionally since 1994, projected ease and ardour in her debut concert on the island.
Most impressive was her ability to highlight climaxes and various shades of timbre in unmistakably contrasting ways - all at once - which was powerful, thrilling and focused. Although she began cautiously and lukewarmly, she developed and remained in top form throughout the recital and the audience responded warmly.
The Colombian singer romanced the well-heeled audience with a specially designed programme, which spanned various periods in music history, while keeping the occasion contemporary. She explored all the tonal resources available in her lyrical soprano voice.
She began her concert with O'Del Mio Amato Ben by Donaudy. This was done tentatively. However, she gained her composure and ended like a trojan.
Of the three offerings in this group, which included Lheure Equise by Reynaldo Hohn and F. Schubert's Ave Maria, the latter received tumultuous applause. This piece drew on the dramatic and imaginative talents of Miss Bent.
In her rendition of Cancion De La Poloma, by Francisco Barbieri, she gave an impassioned and artistically correct performance. In this piece too the piano reading by Lydia Hernandez was superb. For me, Vissi Darte Defla La Opera Tosca" De Puccini was the best offering of the first half of the programme.
The music, which is clearly an easy flowing melody with agitated phrases and sweet nuances, encouraged her dramatic slant. She was remarkable, especially her tissitura in the upper register. She had the audience along with her accompanist 'eating out of her hand'.
Her suite of folk songs (I assume because there were no programme notes), Galloping Cowboy, Nights of Carageno, and Little Old Town, was interesting and enjoyable. They were done in a jovial mood and the tongue-in-check expressions caused the audience to giggle.
Good concert programming is key to a good presentation. It should cater to a variety of moods and should suit the occasion. And, it was obvious that Miss Bent bore this in mind, when she planned her recital programme.
Her offering of O Holy Night, by Adolphe Adams, was skilfully handled. She used quite intelligently, her knowledge of legato style, involving sostenuto and a range of tonal colours to transmit to her audience the magic of the piece. The climax was thrilling.
Summertime De Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin. was fantastically handled. She left her audience on a high. Her group of spirituals, His Name So Sweet, by Hall Johnson and He's Got The Whole World by Margaret Bonds were tremendous and impacted greatly on the psyche of the audience. They were all characterised by a type of 'lyrical freshness' which is typical of presentations of this nature.
Lydia Hernandez's piano artistry was articulate and accurate.
Professionalism was the hallmark of the evening.
The concert was presented by the Ministry of Local Government, Youth and Community Development, in association with the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia. The Minister of Local Government, Arnold Bertram, welcomed the guest artiste and guests.
Meanwhile, Colombian Ambassador Alfonso Munera expressed gratitude to those who made the project a reality.
