According to reports in the New York Times, Icelandic opera singer Disella Larusdottir made a strong impression upon her audience as she made her recital debut in New York at the Merkin Concert Hall on Wednesday.
Beginning her singing career in pop, Larusdottir is well known for her performance at the Icelandic semifinals of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. But lately, she has been moving in a more classical direction.
In 2006, Ms. Larusdottir also made her mark on Astral, the group presenting her New York debut. Astral Artistic services, a Philadelphia-based group works to promote the careers of promising performers and selected Ms. Larusdottir in 2006, as the winner of their national auditions.
In 2007, she was a finalist in auditions for the Metropolitan Orchestra National Council.
On Wednesday, Ms. Larusdottir performed in New York accompanied by Debra Scurto-Davis on the piano. She brought to the performance a classical voice and a pop performance.
The opera singer’s soaring voice was accompanied by dramatic effects including an expressive face, luminous eyes and meaningful gestures, all of which heightened the meaning of well-loved tunes.
Among her repertoire were six Icelandic songs as well as an almost cabaret performance of “The Pied Piper”.