Submitted by Keith Hoffman, Dec 14, 2006 15:02

I live in Vermont, but make it a habit to go to New York whenever Angelika Kirchschlager sings a recital there, if at all possible. I have now experienced the great musical qualities of her singing five times. Twice she was in the company of other, highly musical singers, Felicity Lott and Simon Keenlyside. This recent performance was to be with Barbara Bonney, and while it was disappointing that she cancelled, more of Angelika Kirchschlager is never a bad thing. Mr. Nordlinger is, to my mind, one of the best critics I have ever read, due, of course, to the fact that I almost always agree with him, but also due to the fact that he offers real reasons for both his delight and for his disappointment. As one can tell from the nature of this review, Mr. Nordlinger is as disarmed of serious criticism by Ms. Kirchschlager as I am, and rightfully so. This was as close to a perfect recital of Schumann and Schubert as can be imagined. I offer but one slight caveat...in "Lust der Sturmnacht" of Schumann, the lowest part of the voice was coverd by the piano, so that the contours of the song were slightly compromised. As a lyric mezzo, Kirchschlager must have some deference from a pianist in moments like this, but the top of the voice rang out well when it was required to ascend. Otherwise, it is impossible to offer any kind of criticism. Her voice is lovely, her techinque is superb, she is quite attractive in both personal looks and in the unpretentiousness and charm which seem to be an essential part of her nature, and the small world of people who love the art of the classical song almost beyond other great musical fields is lucky that such an artist seems to love it as much as they themselves do. Certainly the audience at Avery Fischer Hall seemed to realize their good fortune by cheering robustly, which caused this wonderful singer to grin in unabashed delight.

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