Those who had the pleasure of seeing Barbara Hannigan perform as Lulu at the Royal Mint Theater in November 2021 know what a versatile and talented artist this woman is. But the fact that she also wants to shine in authentic ballroom dance music is quite a surprise, and what a surprise it is! Waltz, tango, rumba, quick-step—it all passes in review in brilliant arrangements for the Ludwig Orchestra and the Berlage Saxophone Quartet.
From the very first number, Glenn Miller's delightful "Moonlight Serenade," Hannigan is pure sensuality, of course without forsaking her coloratura prowess as a classical singer. A combination that immediately gives her performance that special something. In Kurt Weill's tango "Youkali," she plays with her high soprano notes, which elevate the variety piece to a higher artistic level, without any pretension. Enjoying the dance music remains the main point. In "Fluffy Ruffles" she plays her voice like a tap dancer. In Barry Manilow's Copacabana, you find yourself on a beach in Rio, with Lucienne Renaudin Vary delivering a fine trumpet solo. Robert Stolz's English waltz "Je veux t'aimer" offers a moment of respite. Then we move from quick-step to rumba to jive, via the evergreen from "My Fair Lady," "I Could Have Danced All Night," which Barbara Hannigan gives a distinctive sound. Edward Elgar's slow dance "Salut d'amour" provides a nostalgic touch as the final track on the album.
The Ludwig Orchestra plays like the best big band of the Roaring Twenties. An album full of music that makes you happy and keeps you from sitting still. And that's exactly the intention of Peppie Wiersma, the artistic director of the Ludwig Orchestra: "Our intention for 'Dance with me' is that it isn't only an album to draw people to our live performances, but also for people to dance to, with their friends at home."
The album also confirms that Barbara Hannigan is not only a maverick in the opera world, but above all a musical jack-of-all-trades who isn't afraid of twentieth-century music. She proved this earlier with one of her previous albums Crazy Girl Crazy a combination of Luciano Berio, Alban Berg, and George Gershwin. (Alpha Classics 293 released in 2017). Those who want to experience this live can attend a concert at DeSingel on March 17, where she will perform a creation of songs to texts by Emily Dickinson composed for her by John Zorn. A world premiere at DeSingel.
WHATDance with me
WHO: Barbara Hannigan [soprano], Lucienne Renaudin Vary [trumpet], Berlage Saxophone Quartet, Ludwig Orchestra
EDITION: Alpha Classics ALPHA790
ORDER: Cypres CYP8614
