You MUST have watched Katherine behind the 'Red Button' last weekend at Hyde Park, and hopefully bumped into ( how long does it take to make a cuppa or go the fridge for a Tinny!?) the wonderfull performance of the world class Tenor, Cortes.

I must admit I would never have believed mid 2006 that my 'Classical' journey would commence with a free CD from 'The Daily Mail' - not all bad then! Once I heard the first track on this freebie 'Bailero' (fourth song on Premier) by somebody called KJ then I knew it was something to follow up.(even though I had no idea of Katherine's stunning looks!) 

I somehow managed to get a cancelled ticket in row E at the Liverpool Phil in Dec2006 and it was a unforgetable night, as not only KJ(loved the off the shoulder Spanish dress for the Carmen number, yes and the penguin joke!)) but also 'Cortes' who was awesome , especially Nessun Dorma.

Since that very special evening I'm proud to say I've seen Cortes on a number of occasions, from 'the Barbican' in London his first frontline show, where I reckon Reykav/Reykya/Reyca/Recyar, oh bxxxxxks, Iceland must have been deserted, to other places like Douglas,LLandudno, Manchester and Dublin. A couple of these venues I've had the great privelige and pleasure to meet Gardar.  

I hope you enjoyed the five songs Cortes performed at Hyde Park. If you happen to be unfamiliar with the music of Cortes then please have a shufty at his first CD aptly named 'Cortes', where you will hear his unique rendition of 'Granada', 'Nessun Dorma' Carrusoe' & many other well known songs. His second album 'When You Say You Love Me' is of the same quality including 'Che Galina Manina, Matinata and others including a number of 'crossover' songs. In both of these CD's, we are given a little of Gardar's heart, in the form of a soothing Icelandic (folk?)song sung in his native tongue.

For those of you more familiar with 'Cortes'(Millymollymandy & Janet for two), you may wonder why there seems to have been something of a gap prior to Hyde Park. Sadly the management company Gardar was involved with went xxxs up which obviously did not help matters and then commitments in Germany and Scandinavia  had to be met.(hold on, if you bothered to visit Cortes' fan website then you'd know this!)

Well thats led me on to the future. Presently Cortes is to perform in the Capitol of Iceland on 25 October and after? stirrings are afoot for Britain after  the success of Hyde Park. If you would like to contribute, like me, to the 'stirrings' of Cortes' return to our shores then please visit www.gardarthorcortes.me.uk     

Kind Regards,

See Ya,

Keith Mc.

x

Take care

Tricia

First posting.

Very mild to say Cortes was "on form" at Hyde Park. Myself and friends were blown away by his amazing performance.

I saw him with a friend at Friday Night is Music Night and wondered what had happened to him. Very much looking out for his next concert. Will keep an eye on the forum. My three other friends who were with my wondered why he wasn't given more time.  As far as we were concerned he could have sung the whole concert.

Thanks Keith

Sarah

just a quick word to thank everybody for their kind comments. They are very much appreciated.

If any of Yoos is considering buying either(or both!) of the two 'Cortes' CD's, I understand there is only limited availability. If you do encounter difficulties then the 'mainstay' on the 'Cortes' Forum, the lovely 'Londoner', has a supply of each at a very small cost.

Bye for the time being,

See Yuz,

Keith

x

Thanks for all the info. I had a look at the Forum. Seems like Gardar's next appearance is his return to a full length opera - L'elisire d'amore - in Reykjavik.

I have visited Iceland two years ago and would love to go again but not possible at the moment.

Sarah

Any news of anyone visiting Iceland to see Gardar in L'elisir d'amore?

It would be nice to hear. The Iceland Opera site gives 25th October as the first performance.

SM