American soprano Angel Blue dazzled audiences at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with her vibrant and engaging stage presence. The singer stole the show with a series of warm-hearted performances, including a playful rendition of Rule, Britannia! while sporting a Union Jack jester’s hat.
Blue’s performance of Ruperto Chapí’s comic operetta Las Hijas Del Zebedeo was equally captivating, as she blew kisses to the audience and threw roses to her adoring fans. Conductor Sakari Oramo even gamely tried to lead the orchestra with a rose until the stem broke, adding to the whimsical charm of the evening.
Radio 3’s Katie Derham remarked, “We’re all a little bit in love now, aren’t we? She played that audience like a fiddle.” Blue, who was originally scheduled to perform in 2022 before the event was canceled due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, described her return to the Royal Albert Hall as a “full circle moment.”
The 40-year-old soprano, known for her dusky middle register and soaring upper range, has had a successful career, winning a Grammy for her recording of Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess in 2020. She has also been vocal about social issues, pulling out of a performance in protest of blackface makeup in a production of Verdi’s Aida.
Blue’s performance at the Last Night of the Proms solidified her status as a top-tier opera singer, with her vocals being described as “radiant,” “alluring,” and like “plush velvet.” Her engaging stage presence and captivating performances left the audience in awe, ensuring that she will be a must-see at future events.
