Review: BBC Proms - Cynthia Erivo (Legendary Voices)

Photo credit: BBC/Chris Christodoulou

There's something about a stripped back concert. A true celebration of music. We see clips of flashing lights, huge set pieces, larger than life stadiums, which can often cause the singer, the voice you've come to hear, to get lost in. When it comes to the BBC Proms and Cynthia Erivo, there is just the music, the voice and one huge room of people, and that's all you could possibly need.

The Royal Albert Hall holds just over 5,200 people within it and yet Erivo allows you to feel as if you're the only one there. The majestic venue becomes a living room or a recording studio where you, and you alone, can appreciate the grace and elegance of a song or piece of music when sung effortlessly by a voice such as hers. She's as welcoming as well, sharing explanations of her song choices, which include ‘Feeling Good’, ‘I Put a Spell On You’, ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ and even some of her own.

There's a reason the poster describes this year's Proms as "Legendary voices" and Erivo has earned her rightful place among those listed and celebrated. An Oscar away from EGOT status, she belts, pitch perfect through the hall above the more than full BBC Concert Orchestra creating a timeless sound you'll never forget. She is brilliant at addressing the audience with her singing, opening an invitation into her celebration of iconic female singers.

There was even a moment of pure emotion; Cynthia's original song ‘You're Not Here’ is a heart wrenching exploration into what it feels like to have to go through life unable to turn to someone who ought to be there. Lyrics that, at the same time, share such simplicity and depth, it stuns the entire audience into silence. Erivo wells up during the piece, which is accompanied only by piano, but gets through to the end of the song with us on the journey with her.

We recommend tuning into BBC Sounds if you get the opportunity, as even just to listen to this "Legendary Voice" is an absolute treat.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Callum Wallace