Baroque to Basics

On Wednesday evening May 7th, Dulwich College Shanghai kicked off the Justin Kim Baroque to Basics tour of the seven Dulwich Colleges spread across Asia. A warm and appreciative audience was treated to the distinct blend of grace, power and beauty that is Justin Kim’s countertenor voice. Justin was wonderfully supported by Dulwich College Shanghai students and the Dulwich College Shanghai Adult Choir. The piece featured solos from Justin Kim, students Samuel Faulkner (Bass), our very own Vienna Boys’ Choir Alumnus - Thomas Speciel (Treble), Claire Allan (Mezzo Soprano ) and Natasha Theil (Mezzo Soprano ) and from the adult choir, Jeff Vukovich (Bass) and Veronica Park (Soprano).

The concert took us on a journey through the baroque period (roughly from 1600 to 1750AD), beginning with Henry Purcell’s Come, Ye Sons of Art and If Music Be The Food of Love supported by Bevan Graham on harpsichord. Year 5 student Allison Jiang was a star performer on violin, joining Justin in a beautiful rendition of J.S. Bach’s Laudamus Te from his B Minor Mass. Allison’s performance demonstrated musicianship well beyond her years. The musical journey then moved to Italy and the music of Antonio Vivaldi. Justin’s unique voice came to the fore in Domine Deus from Gloria, blending beautifully with flautist Mr Wu Cheng Yu. To conclude a wonderful evening of baroque music, Justin then charmed the audience with three arias by Handel. Ombra Mai Fu from Serse, Ch'io Parta from Partenope and Crude Furie Degl'orridi Abissi from Serse. The tour continues through Suzhou, Seoul, Beijing before concluding in Singapore on the 29th of May. For more information on when you can see Justin perform please see the tour dates below: DPZH Sunday 11 May DPSZ Wednesday 14 May DCSZ Friday 16 May DCBJ Friday 23 May DCSL Tuesday 27 May DCSG Thursday 29 May