Saturday, December 5, 2009

World Premier

Thora sang the title role in "Cecila", in Áskell Másson new Oratorio, premiered on the 22 of November 2009 at Hallgrimskirkja. She sang the highly demanding role to a critical acclaim. The premier was recorded for TV and radio and will be released on DVD in 2010.

The role of Cecilia herself was clearly written with the lyrical and stratospheric soprano of Thöra Einarsdöttir in mind. She and the tenor Björn Jónsson (Valerianus) both studied at London's Guildhall School, and now have international careers. As the choir led the audience back from Husafell to Rome, the apotheosis of Cecilia was robustly hymned by choir and soloists, with a luminous top D from Einarsdottir, and a mighty final roar of the saint's iconic organ.

Hillary Finch, The Times Online (direct link to the review here)