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Dr. Derek Anthony, who is a first class opera singer gave the audience a fantastic performance in Chinese, Italian and Norwegian arias and classical songs.
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Russian Songs steal Concert Artist’ show. Derek Anthony, bass, sang Mussorgsky’s “The Song of the Flea” and “The Field-Marshall” with flair and power. His richly resonant voice was well-matched to their darkly colored accompaniment. These songs are a marvel of compactness and directness. Anthony sang them both with the intensity they deserved. The Evening Sun, Baltimore, 1991 |
The great surprise of the evening, however, was undoubtedly the baritone Derek Anthony. His wonderful vocal range, the quality of his delivery, his elegant acting and accent-free presentation was heartily rewarded with much applause. |
Derek Anthony displays versatility. It was a beautiful concert. A group of German Lieder, of which “Verrat” was particularly notable. Anthony really opened up in this tragic description of infidelity and sang with intensity and passion….. A very amusing German drinking song – Anthony sang with obvious pleasure, which conveyed itself to the audience…..He captured the peculiar blend of idealism and cynicism that characterized the French/Spanish works, as well as the relentless sorrow of the Russian pieces. [Jacques Ibert: “Quatre Chansons de Don Quichotte” and Modest Mussorgsky: “Songs and dances of Death”]. Anthony’s diction was excellent throughout, his intonation was good, and he sang with taste and intelligence. |
Prize-winner returns to Carmel. The basso quickly proved that his win was no fluke; his vocal quality alone would have made the evening worthwhile. The enjoyment of the concert came from the singer’s rich, slightly edged voice and even range. He sang with an understanding that lighted up the music. His lyric, caressing lines were entirely compatible with the music, and his colorations were memorable. [Jacques Ibert: “Quatre Chansons de Don Quichotte”]. The same could be said for Mussorgsky’s stark and chilling set of vocal vignettes deliverd with animation and expansive vocal effects. [Modest Mussorgsky: “Songs and dances of Death”]. As an encore, Anthony offered Leporello’s “Catalog Aria” from “Don Giovanni”, glinting with light, comic touches. |
A poised and versatile Derek Anthony guided his rich bass-baritone voice through a scintillating series of art songs and arias. Anthony sang with vigor, ease and clear diction in a one hour program in German, French,. Russian, and English. But it was the sure tone of his pleasing voice high or low, loud or soft that hit just the right spots in the recital. Derek Anthony, born in South Africa and a long-time resident of Norway, studied voice with the great singer Otto Edelmann in Vienna. His background was apparent in his excellent handling of languages and his smooth, yet articulate presentation. The agility of his “Air de Caron” by Lully served well to demonstrate the fluidity of a firm, clear bass voiceMonterey Peninsula Herald, 1988 |