about Ann Murray
Ann Murray
For the opening of the 2004/5 Wigmore Hall season we commissioned a new orchestral song cycle from a young French composer, Oscar Strasnoy, for Ann to sing. I sent Oscar some discs of Ann – Schubert of course, but also Handel arias with Charles Mackerras – and was not at all surprised when the cycle came in with a final song full of florid, impossible coloratura, Oscar’s own tribute to all those Handel roles under Ann’s belt. The cycle was long and difficult, learnt of course in too short a time. But I suspect even Ann was pleased when the composer sat in rehearsals, mouth open in disbelief at what she was able to do with his work, but with no words coming out. Of my many memories of Ann at Wigmore Hall, where she belongs, this is my favourite.
Paul Kildea