City Recital Hall, Angel Place
Tuesday, June 12

The inspired symmetry of three pairs of works – by Mozart, Schubert and two Australian composers – has made the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s national tour with Melbourne-born soprano Danielle de Niese the trump card in Tognetti’s 2012 season so far.

The ACO has always collaborated with in-demand singers – their concerts with Teddy Tahu Rhodes and American soprano Dawn Upshaw are among the most memorable in recent years. They scored a major coup in nabbing de Niese before Lyndon Terracini could capture the globetrotting glamazon for her Australian debut.

With her charismatic stage presence and keen sense of drama, de Niese lived up to the perfumed cloud of marketing hype that surrounds her. But the voice underwhelmed. In Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate she communicated an infectious joie de vivre, tapping along smilingly in the buoyant Alleluia.

But her sound told another story: the depth and richness of Renée Fleming’s but with none of the agility, finesse or precision in the upper range. It’s hard to believe this is a signature concert piece for de Niese – those creamy melodies should flow like one of her Vivienne Westwood silk gowns, but jittery vibrato...