Christianne Stotijn - a Name to Watch

The BBC Sunday Morning Concert at the Sage featured the young Dutch mezzo soprano Christianne Stotijn. She is a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist. She sang songs by Schubert, Brahms, Mahler and Pfitzner. The last seems to be something of a project of her and accompanist Joseph Breinl.

The voice is attractive rather than beautiful and without a particularly individual sound. The singing, however, was of high quality. There was evenness of tone, considerable power when needed, but also controlled and sustained soft singing. Stotijn's German diction was excellent and she revealed a wide range of tone colour to give life to the varying songs.

This was a hugely enjoyable short recital, warmly received by the audience. Stotijn makes her Covent Garden debut next season (in Janacek). I expect to hear much more of her.