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Tea with… Songs from the Shows
Wed 8 Mar, 3pm
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Wednesday Tea
“The two artists were about the best we have ever heard over the last ten years.”.
“It was a very enjoyable afternoon, the singers and pianist were first class and it was a very intimate session.”
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Tuesday Tea – Relaxed Performance*
“It was brilliant. My mum, who has dementia, had one of her best days out in years. It was lovely and warm in the building, the tea was just the right size, and the cakes were delicious… The songs were a good mix of old and new… The old songs took her back. She was in such a good mood afterwards, it was just like having her back.”
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Audience Feedback from Previous Years
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Promo for Virtual Concert 2020, starring Mark Nathan & Catrin Woodruff
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There is only one month to go until Clonter’s next Tea with… Songs from the Shows.
This increasingly popular Clonter event consists of an hour of music, followed by traditional afternoon tea. The tea itself includes smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber, and egg mayonnaise sandwiches, with the crusts cut off, followed by a tiered cake stand presented to your table with an assortment of goodies, which include a freshly baked scone with whipped cream and strawberry jam (the Devon way), orange and walnut flapjack, chocolate cake, and a very juicy strawberry. Accompanied by an all-important cup of tea or fresh coffee, served in rosebud china and ceramic teapots. This is preceded by an hour of musical entertainment, presented by two singers and a pianist, under the swagged red organza and brass chandelier, banqueting style in the intimacy of the Ramsey Room at Clonter.
Clonter also offers a ‘relaxed’ performance* – On Tuesday 7th March – which was introduced to offer people in care homes, or for those being cared for at home, and their carers, something to go to together during the day. This opportunity has also been extended to those with other disabilities. (See below for further details).
The two singers who will be performing are no strangers to Clonter – Daniella Sicari has not only performed in afternoon teas before at Clonter, but has also delighted hundreds of children as part of Clonter’s education programme, as well as taking part in Clonter’s most prestigious event of the year, the Opera Gala. Jordan Harding, also a fellow ex-Royal Northern College of Music student, first appeared at Clonter at the Clonter Fair, then he performed the role of Mr Gedge, the vicar in our production of Albert Herring last summer, and then again he too took part in the Opera Gala in November, so you can see we choose only the best for our afternoon tea audience. Both will be accompanied by Robin Humphreys.
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Daniella Sicari – Soprano
Australian/British Soprano Daniella Sicari has built an international reputation as an engaging performer with a warm and sparkling tone. The emerging soprano grew up in Perth, Western Australia and is now based in London, UK.Upcoming performances include Love Bytes with Ensemble 10:10 and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. She will also be premiering a new song cycle by Ross Fiddes in Sydney later in 2023. Daniella has recently been involved with a number of new works and premieres including performing Young Beth and cover Beth in the UK premiere of Little Women by Mark Adamo at Opera Holland Park, Annabel Richter in the world premiere of A Most Wanted Man by Stephen Davismoon and Moving Home by Pierre Flasse. Other recent performances include Gianetta in The Elixir of Love (Waterperry Opera Festival), Anne Egerman in A Little Night Music (Buxton International Festival), ‘Sticks’ in the UK premiere of The Orphans of Koombu (BIF) and Chorus in Sweeney Todd (Bergen Nasjonale Opera). She has also worked with Clonter Opera on various projects over the last few years and in 2020 had her debut with Waterperry Opera Festival performing Ariel by Jonathan Dove which was revived in 2021. Daniella is the recipient of numerous awards such as the WA Young People & The Arts International Award, Amanda Roocroft Prize, The Joyce & Michael Kennedy Strauss Prize, The James & Mary Glass Scholarship, John Cameron Award for Lieder, The Elizabeth Harwood Prize and Robin Kay Memorial Prize. In 2019 she came second at the Bampton Opera Competition and in 2020 was a finalist for the JSRB Bel Canto Awards. Completing her postgraduate studies at RNCM under the tutelage of Mary Plazas, performed roles whilst studying include Despina, Lady Ellington, La Fée and Gretel. She previously trained at WAAPA with Patricia Price, receiving a Bachelor of Music and Post-Graduate Diploma in Classical Voice.
Click here for full biog
Click here to watch Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (with The Easy Rollers)
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Jordan Harding – Baritone
Having first discovered opera at Clonter, Jordan went on to study Music at the University of Manchester followed by a Master’s in voice at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Matthew Best, graduating with distinction in 2021. Career highlights to date include performances with Opera Holland Park, Buxton Festival Opera and Opera Rara. Previous stage roles, including Silvio Pagliacci, Herald The Pilgrim’s Progress and Dr. Falke Die Fledermaus, indicate Jordan’s versatility as a performer, with an affinity for music spanning Italian opera, lieder, English song and classic musical theatre. Later this summer, Jordan will join If Opera to sing the role of Maggiordomo in La Rondine and as am ensemble member in Dido and Aeneas.
Click here for full biog
Click here to watch Bella siccome un Angelo – G. Donizetti
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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 and 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.
Click here to watch Graceful Ghost Rag – William Bolcom
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Ticket Pricing & Booking Information
Wednesday 8th March
Tickets £38 (Ramsey Room), £32 (Foyer) – Both to include Concert & Tea, £17 (Foyer) – Concert Only**
Doors Open 2.30pm
Performance 3 – 4pm
Tea Served 4pm
**Please note that this event is banqueting style – You will be sharing a table with others. However, if you would prefer a table for two, this option is available. Tickets £47. Limited availability.
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*Relaxed Performance – Tuesday 7th March
A relaxed performance is a show that has been adapted to suit people who might require a more relaxed environment, including (but not limited to) adults or children with learning difficulties, those with autistic spectrum and other sensory communication disorders. This we extend to include those with dementia and other related conditions.
Tickets £22 + 1 carer comes for free
Book Through Box Office Only – 01260 224514 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am – 4pm)
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Please note that bookings for the afternoon tea will close on Fri 3 March at 10am, however you will still be able to book for the concert only after that point.
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