The beautiful Albina Shagimuratova, another up and coming opera singer in an intimate recital tonight, with a set of Arias by Bellini, Donizetti (the ‘mad’ scene from Lucia di Lammermoor) and Romances by Rachmaninov. Again, I find these intimate settings a great leveler, the chance to hear a powerful singer in a more delicate setting – two hands, one voice.
Albina does not disappoint; the subtle nuances in Rachmaniniov’s romances especially brilliant. Russia is blessed with a great deal of musical talent, and much of this is down to the education system which still examines children from a young age and pushes them academically towards their natural talents.
For a glimpse of her talents, here is a clip of her singing “The Nightingale” by Alyabiev