REVIEW: Worldwide Celebrated Tenor Stefan Pop. St George's Hall 25th June 2016

On Saturday 25th June, The Concert Room at St George's Hall opened its doors and welcome a magnificent world class Tenor by the name of Stefan Pop onto it's stage. The evening arranged by GuliAnd Management and Liverpool Four Seasons opera saw an outstanding first class performance by the the young opera tenor who was beautifully accompanied by special guests Soprano Barbara Ruzsics , Tenor Andreas Z. Magony and accompanist Kirsty Ligertwood.

Despite his youth, Stefan has already appeared at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, La Scala Milan, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro Verdi Trieste, Hamburg Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Opera di Roma, Tel Aviv Opera, Zurich Opera, Bolshoi Theatre Moscow and Mikhailovsky Theatre St Petersburg.  

Stefan Pop performed as part of the successful The Liverpool Opera – Four Seasons® concert series. It was the third in the highly acclaimed series presented by Guliand Management who have brought the stars of Plácido Domingo’s Operalia, the World Opera Competition, to Liverpool.

As soon as Stefan Pop appeared on stage, there was no doubt as to why he was the recipient of such high acclaim and the winner of many competitions including the likes of the Seoul International Music Competition and Plácido Domingo’s Operalia in 2010. He possessed so much charisma and he engaged the audience immediately with his command of the stage and gravitas. He sang effortlessly and his voice permeated every inch of the wonderful concert hall, enveloping the ears of everyone seated in it. His notes pierced your soul like a warm elixir and the fantastic acoustics of the hall heightened the experience for those fortunate enough to be present and immersed in the glory of the performance.

Stefan’s exciting programme featured the world’s most popular tenor hit songs including La donna mobile (G. Verdi Rigoletto) Che gelida manina (G. Puccini: La Bohéme), Nessun dorma (G. Puccini: Turandot) Granada and O Sole Mio among others. His first performance of Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto's Questa o Quella set the bar for the evening and the solos and duets that ensued were received with rapturous applause by the audience.

The Talented performers receive a deserved standing ovation at the end of the show.

The team pose for photos after the performance.

My friend John who enjoyed the performance as much as I did.

I was so impressed with the evening and it was such a huge privilege to witness such incredible talent. It almost felt as though it was a secret performance, the four performers made you feel as though they were performing a private show for each individual audience member. Stefan's energy was mesmerising. His smile as he appeared on stage for each piece and his absolute passion whilst he performed drew you in and captivated your attention. I held my breath with sheer delight on many occasions. The collaboration with his soprano and tenor was fantastic, their delivery exquisite and a joy to behold.

I was delighted that Stefan posed with me after the performance for a photo. He was a magnificent man.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude to Bill Elms for the invitation, to GuliAnd Management ,Liverpool Opera four seasons and last by no means least Stefan Pop for such a memorable evening. If you hear about subsequent events, make sure that you attend because you will not regret it. BRAVO !