Published: 23 November 2011
Category: Vocal & Opera

Soprano Eri Nakamura and tenor Ben Johnson jump in at short notice to perform in the Rosenblatt Recital Series on Thursday 24 November at St John’s Smith Square. They will present a programme of songs and arias by Mozart, Bellini, Denza, Verdi and Puccini.

Ben Johnson recently made his English National Opera debut as Nemorino The Elixir of Love to critical acclaim. He will also sing the role of Bénédict in a concert performance of Beatrice et Bénédict at Cadogan Hall on November 26, and make his debut with the Academy of Ancient Music singing Messiah on a European tour in December.

Eri Nakamura is currently a member of the ensemble at the Bayerische Staatsoper, where her roles have included Susanna, Pamina and Giulietta in a brand new production earlier this year. She recently performed Rossini’s Stabat Mater with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the LPO at the Royal Festival Hall, and returned to the Royal Opera House last season season as Sophie Werther. Future engagements include her opera debuts in Santiago, Toulouse and at Washington National Opera, as well as Liù in Puccini’s Turandot for the ROH.

UPDATE: Martin Cullingford, editor of Gramophone, reviewed the concert on the magazine's website.

“On arrival at St John’s it was to find that the expected tenor was no longer appearing. Any disappointment was swiftly dispelled however; stand-in tenor Ben Johnson has a fine, bold Italianate voice which quite belies his Hertfordshire roots but amply justifies his already amassed honours (including the Kathleen Ferrier Award and membership of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme).

Eri Nakamura, a wonderfully characterful singer - both in terms of the voice itself, but also her charming ability to step swiftly and convincingly into a role.”

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