May 2010

From the moment I collected the Divas and their accompanist Craig from the airport, I could tell we were in for a treat.  I had seen their photographs, but there was no mistaking that they were opera singers from the moment they set foot on the tarmac, and that was before they dressed up for the performance!   Matilde, Caroline and Chloe provided us with a brilliant evening’s entertainment, right from their initial entrances through different doors, magnificently gowned in scarlet.

The first half of the concert covered arias from Mozart to Verdi and from Bizet to Poulenc, showcasing their wonderful voices and acting skills.  The last number before the interval was from the Magic Flute, where the ladies rescued Tamino from the monster, and then discussed how handsome he is.  For this, of course they required a willing Tamino, and completely at random, they selected Inverness Opera stalwart Baxter Murray from the audience.  I am pretty confident that he enjoyed being fussed over by the glamorous trio!   There were several gentlemen in the audience who might have had difficulty explaining to their wives (if they weren’t present) why they had lipstick planted on their heads and cheeks.
For the second half, the Divas changed into white dresses, and entranced us with another varied selection including old favourites – The Flower Duet from Lakme, Three Little Maids from The Mikado, and some songs from the shows.  We felt for the woes of Cole Porter’s oyster as he negotiated the alimentary canal of Mrs Hoggenheimer before being returned to his home in the deep. The programme was a superb mixture of wit, pathos, romance and sheer talent and through all this fun, Craig provided an immaculate accompaniment.
This was the final concert of the season, and we celebrated by providing our patrons with Buck’s Fizz which was entirely suitable for a concert which was so full of fizz fun and froth – underpinned by serious talent.
Next day, there was a request to visit Loch Ness, on what was one of the windiest days of the year, and the walk along the shore certainly blew the London cobwebs away.  They left fortified for the return trip with mugs of hot chocolate at the Dores Inn.
We do hope to have the Divas back, especially as they have a Christmas themed programme, so watch our website!