Levine: The Divine Liturgy Of St. John Chrysostom

   in Opera Now (Jul, 2016)
Another soprano with a growing reputation is Pumeza Matshikiza. Her new collection, Arias, is a curious affair. She starts with warhorses by Puccini, Catalani and Dvorak and sings them very well. She sculpts phrases with tenderness, she has an attractive natural vibrato and a slightly veiled quality. Then she progresses to a mishmash of styles and conquers none, from bonbons like ‘La Paloma’ to the profundity of ‘Dido’s Lament’ via Tosti, Fauré and Hahn amongst others. There’s nothing wrong with pleasing the masses, and I’m sure that many people will enjoy this – she has a lovely voice – but it lacks direction and individuality. Matshikiza is beautifully styled for the …