Music @ The Royal London Hospital - Uplifting music from Nicole Shim and Christopher Knox Oakey (#1)

The pairing of Nicole's beautiful soprano voice accompanied by Christopher's sympathetic and versatile piano skills made a winning combination for today's lunchtime recital in the hospital foyer.

Christopher, who hails from Richmond, Virginia in the States, and is studying at the Royal College of Music, has played once already in the hospital, on that occasion also primarily as an accompanist, so we already knew he is good....* But this was the first time Nicole has performed here; and we certainly hope it will not be the last as her voice has a powerful quality, yet with excellent control and lovely phrasing. The response from the many passers-by who stopped to listen was very warm and enthusiastic. It seems clear that Nicole, who is a half Russian - Korean singer and a second year student at the Royal College of Music, is headed for a successful singing career.

The programme Nicole and Christopher chose to perform was pure classical/opera magic, with some lovely arias, ending with a special 'encore' performance of the ever-popular "O mio babbino caro" from the opera 'Gianni Schicchi' by Giacomo Puccini.

Bellini — "Malinconia, Ninfa Gentile" (recorded here)
Schumann — "Du bist wie eine Blume"
Schumann — Widmung
Liza Lehmann — "Evensong"
Barber — "Sure on this Shining Night"
Mozart — 'S'altro che lagrime' from La Clemenza di Tito
Rachmaninoff — "Spring Waters"
Kim Dong-jin — "Daffodil"
Reprise: Bellini - "O mio babbino caro"

The whole recital was a delight to hear and watch, and we would love to see both Nicole and Knox back in the hospital - either individually or as a duo - sometime soon.

*[Also known as Knox Oakey, the name he uses on YouTube, where you can find other videos showing his versatility - including classical, jazz and music history/commentary.]