The voice of Canadian mezzo-soprano Susan Platts has moved critics to mouth-watering descriptions such as "rich and creamy" or "dark and amber" or "honey descending to yeasty depths." In similarly complimentary tones, Platts has been compared to contralto Kathleen Ferrier and called "the next Maureen Forrester." A favourite of Sunshine Coast musical lovers, Platts makes a return appearance here, 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt in her third concert for the Coast Recital Society (CRS). She will be accompanied by collaborative pianist Rena Sharon, who will talk with the audience during the pre-concert chat at 1:30 p.m. prior to the concert.
Platts is known and acclaimed for her interpretations of the vocal works of Gustav Mahler and Johann Sebastian Bach. Recent engagements of note include recitals with the Vocal Arts Society at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., the Art of the Song series at Lincoln Centre, at the Frick Museum in New York City and the Ladies' Morning Musical Club of Montreal. She has appeared at the Oregon Bach Festival and with ensembles such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the CBC Radio and National Arts Centre Orchestras, the Toronto, Vancouver and Detroit Symphony orchestras, the orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, l'Orchestre de Paris and Quebec's Les Violons du Roy. In 2004, Platts was chosen by the renowned soprano Jessye Norman from 26 candidates world-wide to be her protégée for a year-long mentoring program.
For her Sunshine Coast recital, Platts will sing works by Johannes Brahms, Clara and Robert Schumann, Gustav Mahler (Songs of the Wayfarer), Roger Quilter and folk-song arrangements by Douglas Perry and Benjamin Britten. In addition to the Sunday concert, she will perform for residents of Totem Lodge, Monday, Jan. 21 in the morning, and for students at Roberts Creek Elementary School, in the afternoon, also accompanied by Sharon.
For her part, Sharon has been called "one of the finest musicians of her generation." Performing both as a soloist and collaborative pianist, she has shared the concert stage with artists such as Ben Heppner, Steven Isserlis, Scott St. John, Steven Dann, Kevin MacMillan, Richard Margison, James Somerville, Martin Beaver and James Ehnes. Sharon is founder and artistic director of The Song Circle, a company dedicated to the art of song, and she is currently professor of collaborative piano studies at the University of British Columbia.
Tickets are still available for the Platts and Sharon concert. Call Mary Lea Bell at 604-886-8330 for more details.
