Expectations were high for what turned out to be a truly engaging evening of superb Wagner singing. One of Wagner and Liszt’s descendants, painter Antoine Wagner was there to add a note of family authenticity as we immersed ourselves in his ancestor’s glorious music.

The concert opened with a bevy of eight Valkyries appearing from all over the church. Their German diction was as impeccable as the singing and the sound beautifully pitched to fill the space. With assured four-handed piano accompaniment from Jayson Gillham and Richard Peirson, the tone for the evening was firmly set. This magnificent musical ride was encored at the end of the concert bringing further delight to an appreciative audience.

The evening consisted of extracts from Wagner operas, piano transcriptions of orchestral pieces and some Lieder. Stuart Skelton was obviously the big name of the evening and it was a privilege to hear him at close quarters, leaving no doubt about his heldentenor credentials.  The power, warmth and expressiveness of his voice is compelling and he sings in German like a native. Every nuance of text is supported musically and his giant voice is agile as well as strong and always emotionally engaging. His first solo...