When a Belgian Tenor Sang

Scores of music lovers wended their way to the Makati residence of Belgian Ambassador Christian and Gul Tanghe for the recital of the young, brilliant Belgian tenor Bartholomeus de Kegel. He was then due to participate in the International Bamboo Organ Festival, and guests felt privileged to attend a preview.

De Kegel instantly captivated the audience–his voice fresh, rich and powerful–with songs by Schumann, Schubert, Tosti and Belgian composer Joseph Ryelandt. The tenor’s voice was always controlled; his dynamics ranged widely; his legato was impeccable; his expressivity, sensitive.

The thunderously applauded De Kegel was accompanied by concert pianist Jonathan Coo who also beautifully rendered a solo numbers, Schumann’s Dedication and In the Night.

Cocktails and finger foods prepared by Mandarin Oriental beckoned even before the recital and more so, after. Ambassador and Mrs. Tanghe were warm, gracious hosts to the overflow crowd of diplomats and figures from government, social, cultural and civic circles.

Among the guests was British Ambassador Paul Dimond who, with his wife Carolyn, recently gave a new twist to diplomatic presentations by holding, jointly with the Phil-British society, a poetry reading following a buffet dinner.