The Rotorua Music Federation ventured into new territory on Monday evening at the Concert Chamber with the appearance of Elixir, a Wellington ensemble of voice, piano and clarinet.
This unfamiliar combination made the most of their wide-ranging programme with some bright and stylish performances.
Soprano Kate Lineham shone because of her vocal
stamina and expressive voice, even in a room with acoustics that are not kind to singers.
She was ably supported by Rachel Thompson, a pianist with an exceptional bell-like tone, as well as Moira Hurst whose versatile clarinet gave a vivid edge to each piece.
Elixir worked to great effect as a trio and also in pairs: soprano and clarinet were well-matched in Vaughan Williams' Three Vocalises, and soprano and piano splendidly characterised each of Britten's Four Cabaret Songs.
A highlight was Schubert's The Shepherd on the Rock because of the strong colouring from voice and instruments.
In two solo piano pieces, Thompson impressed with the way she brought out earthy rhythms from three of Bartok's Hungarian folk songs and with her delicate fingerwork in a Liszt piece.
