A Lesson in Love tells the universal story of a love won and lost, and contains some beautiful and emotional German lieder, English and American songs and French mélodies.
Kate Royal’s first two orchestral discs for EMI have been critically acclaimed. Here she turns her attention towards a more intimate recital disc with piano.
A Lesson in Love charts the journey of a young girl’s relationship: from the first kiss and thrill of a blossoming love and initial intimacy through to the joy of a love fulfilled, to the disappointment and anger when the relationship breaks down - it ends with the girl’s acceptance and a cheeky sense of optimism about what her future love life might hold… Kate here creates her own unique song cycle, a thematic journey through the highs and lows of love, of young naivety lost and emotional maturity gained, feelings and experiences everyone can relate.
Kate leads us through her own personal choice of song, and her innate sense of drama and her passion for musical storytelling brings a fresh and youthful interpretation of the disc repertoire. A Lesson in Love contains a mixture of well-known songs as well as some surprising rarities, with a range of song styles and languages to appeal to a broad audience. She is joined by the most esteemed and respected accompanists, Malcolm Martineau.
“Royal is on fine form in the Schumann and Schubert Lieder, with Malcolm Martineau at the piano stage-managing the show admirably, as indeed he does throughout.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2011 ****
“Royal's idea of combining songs of disparate eras and styles to tell a single love story works beautifully...[She] sings with radiant beauty and powerful emotional immediacy. If the golden warmth of her voice shows a hint of tightening when pushed on her high notes, it doesn't detract from the overall impact.” Classic FM Magazine, April 2011 ****
“Royal, with Malcolm Martineau at the piano, finds a character and colour for each of her 28 songs...William Bolcom’s gentle “Wait in” at the start and finish is well justified, and her Bridge and Britten are heartfelt, but the gem is Amy Beach’s winsome “Ah, Love but a day!”.” Financial Times, 11th February 2011 ****
“Kate Royal's beautifully sung new album, with finely characterised piano-playing from Malcolm Martineau, ranges imaginatively across a spectrum of composers who have captured the first pangs, the heartaches and the dashed hopes that can make life such a maelstrom of emotion.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2011
“Royal is generally in fine voice...luscious warmth is much in evidence. Royal is an exception among the majority of lyric sopranos these days in boasting an especially substantial middle range, which really glows throughout this disc.” International Record Review, March 2011
“An intriguingly fresh and unhackneyed programme...Kate Royal proves herself a compelling recitalist, colouring words with feeling and creating vivid atmosphere and character.” The Telegraph, 6th March 2011 ****
