Hundreds hear Hayley

From: Shropshire Star

Monday, 18th June 2007, 12:18 GMT

Classical singing sensation Hayley Westenra took to the stage in Telford for a sell-out performance at a church.

She wowed a crowd of more than 400 when she made a return visit to St George’s Church, St Georges, accompanied by fellow New Zealander, violinist Fiona Pears.

But despite praise for the singer’s performance, she was criticised for the length of the concert.

Phil Collins, who had travelled from Cannock, said Miss Westenra’s performance had been “beautiful”, but he had been disappointed she sang only a few songs.

“She was held up by the weather, but you can’t help that,” he said. “Her singing was lovely. It’s a beautiful church, the acoustics were gorgeous.

“She sang three songs and disappeared off stage and left the violinist to do a couple then came back and did two or three more, then had an intermission for goodness knows how long.

“The impression I got was that the violinist was practising, there was no question she was a talented violinist, but that was not who we went to see.

“She sang no more than 10 songs and at £20 a ticket, we were just a bit disappointed. I didn’t feel cheated but I just didn’t think it was great.”

Mr Collins’s wife, Teresa, added: “It was absolutely brilliant, but we were a bit disappointed that she didn’t actually sing that much.

“What she sang was very, very good, but she could have sung more.”

Hayley, I'm sure you put on a fabulous performance no matter what. People can be a little hard to please...

Sukayna