Margaret Keys concert in the "Bloodstock Theatre" (Karaka)

The concert I attended on 22nd May, 2010 took place at the Bloodstock Theatre (Karaka), being organized by the Rotary Club of Papakura. The performance of this rising star from Ireland was supported by local artists and the Dalewood Auckland Brass Orchestra.

The performance of the Dalewood Brass provided an excellent start to the show and created a perfect atmosphere for the whole evening. The warm and perfectly smooth sound of this orchestra, which is one of the best brass orchestras in the world, conducted by Rupert D’Cruze, was absolutely unique. Each piece performed by Dalewood Brass was a creation of perfect taste and showed all the signs of the highest professionalism. The only shortcoming of the orchestra’s program was its shortness! They played just four pieces and left the public hungry to listen to more.

A comedic performance of the vocal group "The Other Three Tenors" (Ian Campbell, Terry Barry and Greg Patel) appeared to be an unexpected contrast to the first participant of the concert. The subjects for the musical jokes of the trio were not only the late Pavarotti, together with Carreras, who beat leukaemia, and legendary Domingo, but also the blind Andrea Bocelli! The imitation of the blind man motions on the stage was done quite well. Somewhat less successful was parodying of the singing of those global celebrities. Even a one-tone down transposition of the aria “Nessun dorma” did not save our comedians from some inaccuracies in the pitch. But the public was extremely gracious in anticipation of Margaret and forgave the artists those minor shortcomings.

Jazz pianist Grant Winterburn elegantly concluded the first part of the concert with his cooling down bluesy tunes.

The second part of the concert started with the first five numbers, performed by Margaret Keys. This young beauty from Derry entered the stage wearing a stunning red dress, embedded with gold. Margaret is one of the not-too-many singers, who’s exceptionally beautiful looks fight with the charms of their voices. Let me to remind you, that last year, when Margaret was in New Zealand for the first time, she was approached by the magazine “Simply You” to model designer clothes!

But from the moment Margaret started her first song the attention of the public went directly to the musical magic she was creating. “Tonight” from the “West Side Story” by Bernstein was an excellent momentum and captured the audience with the easiness and the beauty of her voice. Two Irish numbers in the program - the song "Beautiful Dreamer" and "Irish Medley" provided a perfect frame for the amazingly soulful masterpiece by Sarah McLachlan "In the Arms of Angels." The interpretation of this song has already earned the love of listeners, who purchased Margaret’s album "Legato", which was released last year by "Universal" (Australia). The last number of the first part of Margaret’s performance was “Somewhere”, another song from “West Side Story” (Margaret mentioned, that this is her favourite musical!).

And this one finally captivated audience with the high-class level of Margaret’s performance and her ability to provide listeners with exceptionally beautiful “pianos” on the top notes.

While Margaret was having her short break, the New Zealand entertainer, young baritone Chris Powley let the public relax by sharing some narrative jokes and successfully singing a few popular numbers, which displayed his voice of smooth but powerful quality. While talking to public, Chris expressed his gratitude to Gray Bartlett, the top NZ guitarist and musical promoter, who was behind the developing careers of many entertainers (including Chris’s successful career) and who, together with some other outstanding New Zealand producers, was helping Margaret Keys in the most important turning point of her musical life by creating and promoting her “Legato” album, which brought to Margaret her four-year “Universal” contract.

Margaret’s next appearance was a total contrast to what the public had seen and heard in the first part of the programme: wearing a straw hat and a country-style dress, Margaret came on stage together with a group of children. The young singers from the Franklin- based music studio “Majors ’n’ Minors” (director Lynda McDowall) made a perfect ensemble together with Margaret to perform the scene and one of the immortal hits – the song “ Doh a Deer” from “The Sound of Music” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This number was a pure joy to the public, as it added to the concert an element of musical theatre.

After two more songs, perfectly performed by Chris Powley, Margaret appeared once more, this time wearing a turquoise blue gown to do her last few numbers of the concert. Her exquisite embodiment of Schubert’s “Ave Maria” was a sign of the tremendous experience Margaret has gained this year by working onstage at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral together with the world number one new classical crossover group “The Priests” (the DVD of the American TV broadcast of this concert is soon to be released).

The original arrangement by Margaret Keys of the world famous song “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton, which was broadcast in New Zealand last year on the TV Show “Good Morning”, was followed by the pure lyrical ballad “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Danny Boy” and one more Irish medley – which were the last hugely successful numbers to finish the concert.

The only thing that remains to be said is that everything Margaret did on stage, every single note she sang demonstrated what a big future is expected of this rising star from Derry and that there is no doubt that her fame will grow and her name soon will be well known all around the world!

Lucy Vaganova Edited by Theo Simeonidis

Related Articles - Dalewood Auckland Brass Orchestra, Margaret Keys, Chris Powley, Ian Campbell, Gray Bartlett, Terry Barry, Greg Patel, The Priests, Grant Winterburn,

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