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Highlights of the Clonterbrook Recital Series
Sat 31 October, 7pm
We have now concluded our series of recitals from the Clonterbrook Music Room, but we wanted to share with you what we felt were the highlights, and we have put together a combined Concert of all 5 of the participants, and their accompanists.
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If you missed any of the individual recitals, but would like to see them in full, please contact our box office at boxoffice@clonter.org. We are currently investigating another mechanism to make them available, subject to the approval of the performers.
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Daniella Sicari – Soprano
Daniella is an Australian/British soprano who completed her postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Mary Plazas. Performed roles include Despina, Cosi fan Tutte, La Fée, Cendrillon and Gretel, Hansel & Gretel. She previously trained at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with Patricia Price. Daniella is the recipient of numerous awards such as the WA Young People & The Arts International Award, Amanda Roocroft Prize, Joyce & Michael Kennedy Strauss Prize, John Cameron Award for Lieder, Elizabeth Harwood Prize and Robin Kay Memorial Prize. She most recently came second place at the Bampton Opera Competition. She has worked with Clonter Opera for various projects including their Opera Prize (2018) School Workshops (2018), Touring Opera Gala (2018) and is delighted to be back. Recent performances include ‘Sticks’ in the UK premier of The Orphans of Koombu (Buxton International Festival) and Chorus/step out roles in Sweeney Todd with Bergen Nasjonale Opera. Upcoming engagements include Anne Egerman, A Little Night Music with Buxton International Festival and Gianetta, The Elixir of Love with Waterperry Opera Festival in collaboration with English National Opera.
Full Biog – https://www.daniellasicari.com
‘Pinocchio, I know You Wept’, Pinocchio – Jonathan Dove https://youtu.be/w4F34gLtjeE
‘Je Suis Encor Tout Étourdie’, Manon – Massenet https://youtu.be/VFgALpNtUjI
‘The Spring is at the Door’ – Roger Quilter https://youtu.be/ZHWw1d4o_9Q
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Elsa Roux Chamoux – Mezzo-Soprano
Elsa Roux Chamoux is a French mezzo-soprano. She completed her Masters of Performance on the Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She has already won awards and been a finalist in several national and international competitions (Paris, Bordeaux, Vendôme, England, Austria, Wales, Sicily, Italy, Armenia). She has performed the roles of: Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, La Regina/La Vecchietta/ La Duchessa in Respighi’s La bella dormente, Sister Edgar in Lliam Paterson’s The Angel Esmeralda, Celia in Haydn’s La Fedelta Premiata at GSMD, Ruggiero in Händel’s Alcina in Fulham, Romeo in Bellini’s I Capuleti e I Montecchi in London and Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaroin New York. However, Elsa does not have only one string to her bow: she also obtained her bachelor’s degree in Management in Paris (in e-learning), as well as being a World Champion in Rink-Hockey (roller skate) in 2012 as the goalkeeper of the French women’s team from 2010 to 2015. In 2021 Elsa is going to the Opera Studio of the National du Rhin, in Strasbourg in France.
Full Biog – https://elsarouxchamoux.com/
‘A Chloris’ – Hahn https://youtu.be/Z2djkHCZuao
‘Produgi Milie’, Pique Dama – Tchaikovsky https://youtu.be/1XtMeyG6FFQ
‘Ah Quel Diner’, La Périchole – Offenbach https://youtu.be/H2a3B9wyD-A
‘En vain pour éviter’, Carmen – Bizet https://youtu.be/YhL4vlju02M
‘At The River’ – Copeland https://youtu.be/a3sxkNlUbNE
‘Les Berceaux’ – Fauré https://youtu.be/aQ4HYKuq71o
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George Reynolds – Baritone
George Reynolds is a 22-year-old English Baritone currently studying as an undergraduate at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the tutelage of Gary Coward. George sang as the cover Figaro in Saint Paul’s Opera’s 2019 summer production of Le nozze di Figaro. George was due to work as a Chorus member for Opera Holland Park’s productions of Eugene Onegin and Rigoletto this summer, before going on to sing the role of Fiorello in Clonter Opera’s production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia for their 2020 summer season. George was also due to play the role of Guccio and the cover role of Marco in the 2020 British Youth Opera production of Gianni Schicchi.
‘Silent Noon’ – Vaughan Williams https://youtu.be/D8q0GH2cMEE
‘Hai gia vinta la causa’, Le nozze di Figaro – Mozart https://youtu.be/36lq1PJzqDY
‘Auf Ein Altes Bild’ – Hugo Wolf https://youtu.be/0fZrGGgsbes
‘Papageno’s Suicide Aria’, Die Zauberflöte – Mozart https://youtu.be/bGx6iw_1CLY
‘The Foggy Foggy Dew’ – Benjamin Britten https://youtu.be/IF4ym-RXzcQ
‘In Flanders’ – Ivor Gurney https://youtu.be/6aoyrG1ls0k
‘To Lizbie Browne’, Gerald Finzi https://youtu.be/Vx-gs-hdkCE
‘Look Through the Port’, Billy Budd – Benjamin Britten https://youtu.be/DcIq3biynec
‘Aprite un po’ quegli occhi’, Le nozze di Figaro – Mozart https://youtu.be/nHbzsKgNQJ4
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John Ieuan Jones – Baritone
Originally from the Welsh coastal town of Rhos-on-Sea, John Ieuan Jones recently graduated from the masters course at the Royal Northern College of Music with distinction, where he studied with Matthew Best. His studies were generously supported by the Drapers’ Company, the D’Oyly Carte Trust, George Henry Peters Scholarship and the Gwilym Gwalchmai Jones Award. During his time at the college, he sang several principle roles including Harry Easter in Street Scene, Pandolfe in Cendrillon, Lord Ellington in La Vie Parisienne and Watchful in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Whilst at college, he also worked at Buxton Festival Opera and Longborough Festival Opera, and since graduating has sung the title role in Krása’s Brundibar for Welsh National Opera and a Flemish Deputy in Don Carlo for Grange Park Opera. Ieuan is a busy and in demand concert singer having performed throughout the UK, in Europe and the USA. Recent highlights have included an Opera Gala at The Bridgewater Hall, making his solo debut at The Royal Albert Hall at the London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs, guest soloist at the North America Festival of Wales in Washington DC and last year shared the stage with Sir Bryn Terfel at the Wales Millennium Centre in the opening concert of the National Eisteddfod of Wales. His many awards and scholarships include the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship, the Help Musicians UK Sybil Tutton Award, the Manchester Welsh Society Award, the RNCM James Martin Oncken Song Prize, Second Prize in the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Prize at the RNCM and the Dunraven Singer of the Year competition. Ieuan has also had countless successes at National and International Eisteddfodau in Wales, having won the prestigious Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize, the Wilbert Lloyd Roberts Memorial Scholarship, and last year winning the major prize at the National Eisteddfod, the W Towyn Roberts Memorial Scholarship. He is a familiar face on Welsh television channel S4C, frequently appearing and performing on programmes such as ‘Noson Lawen’ and ‘Heno’ and his recordings include Harry Sherwood in Cellier’s Dorothy with Victorian Opera conducted by Richard Bonynge, now available on Naxos CD. Ieuan is also an accomplished harpist, having performed for the Prime Minister and members of the Royal family. His future engagements include Masetto in Don Giovanni with The Merry Opera Company, baritone soloist for Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Finzi’s In Terra Pax in Bangor Cathedral, guest soloist at the St Gauderic Music Festival in France and in April will fly to Canada to perform in the Ontario Welsh Festival. Sadly, all future engagements have been cancelled/postponed due to coronavirus.
Full Biog – https://www.johnieuanjones.com
‘Three Salt Water Ballads’ – Fredrick Keel https://youtu.be/V3lRqE1GB1M
‘Chansons de Don Quichotte’ – Ibert https://youtu.be/zR79TR0WJ-w
‘The Green Eyed Dragon’ – Wolseley Charles https://youtu.be/rOUEekT-Jt0
‘Go Lovely Rose’ – Roger Quilter https://youtu.be/LCXyN9buqII
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Olivia Carrell – Soprano
Olivia is a 24-year-old soprano from Hertfordshire based in London. Last year, Olivia received a generous scholarship from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust which allowed her to complete her Masters of Music at the Royal Northern College of Music with a distinction under the tutelage of Deborah Rees. She also graduated with a First Class Bachelors of Music degree from the RNCM in 2018. Throughout her undergraduate degree, she has performed several principle roles such as Blanche de la Force in Poulenc’s Dialogue des Carmelites, The Dew Fairy in Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel, Helena in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Maria Bertram in Dove’s Mansfield Park. In July 2019, she performed at Buxton International Opera Festival making her debut at the festival covering the role of Rutilia in Cladara’s forgotten gem, Lucio Pappirio Dittattore. She has worked closely with composers in discovering the world of contemporary classical music, which resulted in her premiering a one-woman operetta called Growth of the Silk which was received very well at Tete-a-Tete Opera festival in August 2019. The performance was deemed “the highlight of the festival for me” by Tete-a-Tete’s founder, Bill Bankes-Jones. Olivia looks forward to an exciting collaboration with esteemed contemporary classical composer, Gary Lloyd, in his new cutting-edge composition regarding the Covid-19 crisis as well as a principle role of Francoise with Buxton Opera Festival in July 2021 in Hahn’s Ciboulette.
Full Biog – https://www.oliviacarrellsoprano.com
C – Poulenc https://youtu.be/5Oh04RpWhaE
No Word From Tom – Stravinsky https://youtu.be/nAVj_FPIgEQ
Sole e amore – Puccini https://youtu.be/FUY9I5wQGT0
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Silvia Magagni – Accompanist
As a freelance repetiteur, Silvia has worked for many leading international music festivals and opera houses including Welsh National Opera, Opera North, Stresa Festival, La Biennale di Venezia and Cantiere Internazinoale d’Arte, under the direction of internationally renowned conductors such as Martyn Brabbins, Martin André, Francesco Ivan Ciampa, and alongside international soloists as Natalya Romaniw, Alice Coote, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Michael Fabiano, Roderick Williams. Silvia has played a wide repertoire including opera, ballet and world premieres (works by Boccadoro, Ambrosini, Vetrano). From September 2017 to July 2019 Silvia was the Junior Fellow Repetiteur at the Royal Northern College of Music. She is also an active performer with a wide chamber music and soloistic repertoire. She has given many recitals, including a recent gala at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. As a conductor, she has recently worked with the Manchester Chamber Choir, RNCM Chamber Choir and RNCM Chamber Ensemble. In July, Silvia will conduct the Orchestra Sinfonica Florentia at the 45th Cantiere Internazionale d’Arte Festival in Montepulciano.
Full Biog – https://www.silviamagagni.com
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Martyn Parkes – Accompanist
Since becoming a professional piano accompanist in 1997, Martyn Parkes has been privileged to work with some of the world’s best instrumentalists and singers, giving recitals at many prestigious venues including The Bridgewater Hall, Wigmore Hall, St Martin in the Fields and St James’s Piccadilly, UK, as well as recitals and masterclasses in Iceland, Australia and New Zealand. He has performed and recorded as orchestral pianist with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra and Manchester Camerata. He has worked on projects for BBC television and radio, including Classical Star, The Kiri Prize and BBC Young Musicians. In January 2006, Martyn was appointed as a full time Accompanist at the renowned Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, UK. He combines his work there with freelance accompaniment work, which ranges from performing and recording to coaching singers and teaching piano. Martyn is also the founding member of Impromptu Opera and the accompanist for Art Song International.
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Robin Humphreys – Accompanist
Robin Humphreys is a graduate of the University of Birmingham and a holder of the prestigious Diploma in Professional Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music, where he studied piano accompaniment with David Lloyd. Appearing in concert both as a soloist and an accompanist for over 35 years, he now pursues a successful career as an accompanist and répétiteur, the breadth of his repertoire being reflected in television and radio broadcasts ranging from BBC Radio 3 to Emmerdale! At the RNCM, Robin is a senior music coach within the School of Vocal Studies, for whom he was also chief répétiteur on the majority of college productions from the late 1990s until 2013. He has appeared with the Manchester Camerata in the world premiere of “A Feast of Fables” by Paul Reade, has been Musical Director for Feelgood Theatre Productions and, from 1990-2000, Opera & Concert Productions (Worldwide) Ltd with whom he toured throughout the Gulf, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East. Robin has a particularly close association with Clonter Opera Theatre in Cheshire, where he regularly works as Assistant Musical Director and Accompanist. He is also an accompanist member of the British & International Federation of Festivals.
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Until next week, take care!
