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RAYFIELD ARTISTS LATEST NEWS 
David Wilson Johnson makes his 50th Proms appearance!This week British baritone David Wilson-Johnson will make his 50th Proms appearance in a performance of Stravinsky's "Threni" with the London Sinfonietta conducted by David Atherton. More information about the concert (which is on Wednesday 4th August at 10pm) can be found by clicking here. David's incredible virtuosity is show in the range of repertoire represented in these Proms performances, ranging from Handel with Trevor Pinnock, Rameau, Wagner and Mahler with Simon Rattle, through Beethoven and Schubert with Roger Norrington, to Stravinsky and Schoenberg with Oliver Knussen. A complete list of David's previous performances at the Proms can be found by clicking here. A truly remarkable achievement! _______________________________________________________________ 
Matthew Brook "turns anything he sings to gold" - three new recordingsMatthew Brook is again showing his enormous versatility with three new and varied CD releases this Summer. Firstly Vaughan Williams' Sancta Civitas with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and David Hill on Naxos. Stephen Pritchard of The Guardian thought that "[Vaughan Williams] would have appreciated these fine soloists, chief among them Matthew Brook, who turns anything he sings to gold" whilst Piers Burton-Page in International Record Review commented that "There is infinite compassion, in the third movement … from baritone Matthew Brook, whose grainy timbre I can best compare to that of a youthful John Tomlinson". High praise indeed! Showcasing Matthew's comic talent, he sings the role of Friar Tuck in Sir Arthur Sullivan's Ivanhoe with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and David Lloyd-Jones for Chandos Records. Singing perhaps the most famous number in the piece, 'Ho, jolly Jenkin' was "very well-sung by Matthew Brook" (David Laviska, Musical Criticism). John T. Hughes in International Record Review enjoyed Matthew's characterful assumption: "spiritedly tossed off by Matthew Brook", whilst Faye Courtney of Opera Britannia praised his "vigorous and spirited rendition". Lastly, Matthew's latest release with the Dunedin Consort is Bach's Mass in B Minor on Linn Records, in a premiere recording of the scholarly and controversial edition by Joshua Rifkin. It has been described as "a definitive recording" (The Observer), "spine-tingling" (International Record Review) "powerful and beautifully shaped" (Sunday Times), and The Times said "Surely no other recording of Bach's B Minor Mass bounces along with such joy". So, another huge success for Matthew and the Dunedin Consort following their award winning recordings of the Messiah, St Matthew Passion and Acis and Galatea. _______________________________________________________________ 
Griffiths Iridescent at Iford Opera FestivalOur exceptional young British conductor Andrew Griffiths has now completed his run of performances of La Cenerentola at Iford - received with great critical acclaim (please see below). Andrew's career continues to develop rapidly, and he looks forward to upcoming engagements at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Chicago Opera Theatre, among others. "Supported by vivacious playing from the ensemble Chroma under Andrew Griffiths, it shone with gentle charm" - Rupert Christiansen, Daily Telegraph "The score comes across with great verve, clarity and elegance in Andrew Griffiths's conducting of the Chroma ensemble, every one a virtuoso, of whom Tom Hankey (violin) stands out for energy and style. Griffiths paces things brilliantly, not afraid to draw out a yearning strain that is often lost in the welter of Rossinian ebullience, but equally driving the ensembles along with scary speed. This was something special." - Robert Thicknesse, The Tablet _______________________________________________________________ 
The Cardinall's Musick's return to the Wigmore Hall a "sheer delight"The Cardinall's Musick have just scored a critical success on their return to the Wigmore Hall with a wonderful programme entitled "Il siglo d'Oro" celebrating the Golden Age of Spanish polyphony. Richard Morrison in The Times said that "Carwood’s vigorous sweep brought out an exhilaration bordering on a kind of theological ecstasy", whilst Andrew Clements of the Guardian called it a "sheer delight to be immersed in such entrancingly beautiful music" going on to say that "The Cardinall's Musick perform this music with consummate clarity, and not a trace of affectation or unnecessary embellishment. With just one singer to each of the four, five, six or eight parts, it was all perfectly scaled to the Wigmore Hall. One might have expected music composed for a church acoustic to seem undernourished in a concert setting, but there was never any suggestion of dryness; rather, the vivid immediacy of the sound only highlighted the group's distinctive qualities, in which the characteristics of each singer are never homogenised into undifferentiated choral textures ... it was a beautifully conceived programme, beautifully presented." This concert marks the start of a new and strong relationship with the Wigmore Hall that will see the ensemble performing there a further five times over the next two years, including a Byrd festival curated by Andrew Carwood (following on from their recently completed and warmly received landmark recording project), as well as a concert of Benjamin Britten's choral music to start the centenary season celebrations. _______________________________________________________________ 
Gods, Emperors and Angels Bless America!La Serenissima's profile in Europe and the US continues to develop most impressively: their award-winning latest release, Gods, Emperors and Angels - recently Record of the Week at both Classic FM in the UK and KDFC (San Francisco and the Bay area No. 1 classical station), continues to storm up the Top Twenty in the Amazon Classical, US Billboard and iTunes charts; their previous CD, The French Connection Part 1, is as high as No 3 on Billboard; and The Rise of the North Italian Violin Concerto Vols 1, 2, 3 all maintain their position in the top 15 of the American classical charts over 18 months after release! Watch this space for details about their next recording project - French Connection Part II - which will feature a very special and newly-rediscovered Vivaldi concerto! _______________________________________________________________ 
Fitzwilliams on In Tune ahead of their Ryedale residencyThe Fitzwilliam String Quartet will be appearing on Radio 3's In Tune programme at 5.15 pm on Tuesday 12 July to perform some of the repertoire they'll be playing at their six-concert residency at the Ryedale Festival between 19 and 30 July. This will be Christopher Glynn's first Festival as Artistic Director, and the Fitzwilliams will be performing a wonderfully-diverse range of repertoire including works by Shostakovich, Bach, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Purcell and Jackson Hill. Do tune in! If you miss it, you can always "Listen Again" by clicking here, or to catch one of the Fitzwilliams' concerts in Ryedale you can click here for more details. _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: countertenor Christopher AinslieWe're delighted to officially announce that the young South African countertenor Christopher Ainslie has joined the Rayfield Artists roster. Christopher has just returned from his triumphant debut at the Göttingen Handel Festival where he sang the title role in Tamerlano, conducted by Nicholas McGegan ("an incredibly virtuosic alto with a beautiful voice, [and] also a performer with many facets." - Goettinger Tageblatt) Christopher has already built up an impressive list of operatic engagements, with other notable recent appearances including the title role in Arne's Artaxerxes and Innocent 4 in the world premiere of Harrison Birtwistle's The Minotaur for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the title role in Handel's Poro at the London Handel Festival, Ottone in L'incoronazione di Poppea at Drottningholms Slottsteater, Arsace in Partenope in Les Azuriales Opera Festival, and The Voice of Apollo in Death in Venice with Opera de Lyon. Upcoming operatic engagements include Ottone with Glyndebourne on Tour conducted by Jonathan Cohen and the title role in Handel's Amadigi for Central City Opera, USA conducted by Matthew Halls. This Sunday (July 4th) Christopher will also make his début recital at the Wigmore Hall in a fascinating programme including works by Purcell, Handel and Mahler. More details can be found by clicking here. _______________________________________________________________ 
Robin Blaze’s “perfect” Pergolesi: new recording with FlorilegiumRobin Blaze’s new disc of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Salve Regina with soprano Elin Manahan-Thomas and Florilegium has been chosen as the BBC Music Magazine Choral and Song Choice (July issue). George Pratt praised the disc, saying “both singers are intensely sensitive… Blaze displays his wide and even vocal range in the Salve Regina, particularly effective in the lowest register, sustaining a full-toned falsetto”. David Vernier of Classics Today was equally enthusiastic saying "countertenor Robin Blaze never has sounded better, his timbre warmly resonant, his technique fluid and effortless, his intelligence and thoughtful interpretive manner on impressive display" Classic fM Magazine went even further noting the “perfect vocal blending, breathtaking control and delivery”, and Simon Heighes in International Record Review enjoyed Robin’s “clean but characterful countertenor”. Of the Salve Regina in particular he welcomed the “poised, intense ....always expressively motivated” singing and noted that Robin’s “tone has really filled out and developed a broader tonal range in recent years. This is the most individual and personal of the performances here, and one whose sincerity and emotional temperature are perfectly judged to draw one into the music. Compelling listening.” You can find out more about the recording by clicking here, and to see an interview with Robin, Elin and Ashley Solomon (Florilegium’s director) as well as video footage from the sessions you can click below: _______________________________________________________________ 
James Oxley débuts as Gluck's Orphee at Theater DortmundJames Oxley has recently made his title role début in the taxing high-tenor version of Gluck's Orphée at Theater Dortmund, in a new production by Intendantin Christine Mielitz conducted by Jac van Steen. The newspaper Westfälische Rundschau said of his performance "James Oxley mastered the tenor part outstandingly, word perfect and highly expressive with his charmingly beautiful and flexible voice... Oxley performs impressively throughout, with a never-tiring voice and the demanding physical stamina which the role requires." Julia Gaß of the Ruhr Nachrichten also praised him, saying "Oxley has a beautiful, lyrical and high tenor voice". More information on the production can be found by clicking here. James Oxley will perform the role again in the revival of the production at Theater Dortmund in the 2010/11 season. _______________________________________________________________ 
Julia Sporsén's "heavenly" Micaela at Opera Holland ParkJulia Sporsén has been getting fabulous reviews as Micaela in Jonathan Munby's new production of Carmen for Opera Holland Park. Anna Picard of the Independent picked out "…Julia Sporsén's fearless, ardent Michaela…" whilst George Hall of the Guardian noted that "her singing has an impressively charged lyricism that blossoms in her third act aria." Warwick Thompson in Bloomberg praised her "heavenly purity of sound as Micaela." and Sebastian Petit of Opera Britannia thought that "the best vocal performance of the evening was undoubtedly given by Julia Sporsén in the thankless role of Micaela. Her warm, beautiful voice was evenly produced throughout the range". Performances run until June 19th and more information on the production can be found by clicking here. Julia can next be seen in ENO's sell-out collaboration with Punchdrunk of Torsten Rasch's The Duchess of Malfi, and next season starts with the world premiere of Alexander Goehr's Promised End for ETO (following her huge success as Donna Anna for the company in 2008) before returning to ENO for Nikolaus Lehnhoff's iconic production of Parsifal. _______________________________________________________________ Position available at Rayfield Artists: Assistant Artist Manager We are currently seeking an Assistant Artist Manager. If you are interesting in joining the Rayfield Artists team then we would be delighted to hear from you. More details can be found by clicking here. _______________________________________________________________
Manna from Heaven: La Serenissima's new release, "Gods, Emperors and Angels", hits the heights"Gorgeous, gorgeous playing… This recording is glorious!" - Simon Bates, Classic FM Further to their stunning performance at the prestigious Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music earlier this month, we are delighted to announce the release of La Serenissima's eighth album for Avie: "Gods, Emperors and Angels", currently playing as Classic FM's CD of the Week. MDT comment that "Adrian Chandler and his forces play like gods, emperors and angels indeed, further securing their exalted place in the realms of early music performance". You can see fascinating video footage from the recording sessions featuring the extraordinary bassoon concerto (played by Peter Whelan) by clicking here. For more information and to purchase the disc, please click here to visit the Avie Records website. _______________________________________________________________ 
Lina Markeby makes double Mozartian debut at the Théatre des Champs-Elysées Mezzo-soprano Lina Markeby will make her debut at the Théatre des Champs-Elysées in Paris this month singing firstly Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro (on May 25, 28 and 29) and then Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte (on June 2, 3 and 5) conducted by Jean-Claude Malgoire. More information on both productions can be found by clicking here for Figaro and here for Cosi. You can also see a short film about the Figaro production (including some footage of Ms Markeby's performance) by clicking here. _______________________________________________________________ 
Premiere recording of Howard Blake's Passion, with Patricia RozarioReviewers are hailing Howard Blake's new recording of his work The Passion of Mary as "a work of genius" (Bob Briggs, Music Web International). Written with Patricia Rozario's voice in mind, The Passion of Mary was premiered in 2007 in Stockholm, and this is the piece's first recording. Released on the Naxos label the recording also features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by thee composer) and other Rayfield Artists tenor Richard Edgar-Wilson and baritone David Wilson-Johnson. Blake's music "fuses traditional religious music theatre with a distinctive modern idiom" and Classical Music magazine, giving it four stars, remarked "[Blake's]sense of dramatic conviction is shared by Patricia Rozario, brilliant in the testing title role". Bob Briggs commented "Patricia Rozario... glows as Mary, making the most of her long scenes, and taking the wide leaps in the vocal line as if they were the easiest things she had ever sung." Click here for more information on the recording _______________________________________________________________ 
The Cardinall's Musick complete their landmark Byrd recording project to enormous critical acclaimThe Cardinall's Musick have finished their complete survey of the sacred Latin music of William Byrd with disc 13 - "Infelix Ego" - and it has been as well-received as the previous 12 volumes, having been selected as Gramophone 'Editor's Choice' (April '10), International Record Review 'Outstanding' (Feb '10) and Diapason d'Or (April '10). IRR's Marc Rochester described the disc as "a display of the best singing talent Britain can produce... truly exceptional performances ... deeply satisfying to the ear and the intellect ... an object lesson in unaccompanied part-singing, each voice perfectly in its place, the blend delightful to the ear, the lines warmly embracing each other and the overall architecture lovingly moulded by Carwood's subtle and distinguished direction. These are very much yardstick performances" More compliments come from Berta Joncus in BBC Music Magazine (March '10): "The Cardinall's Musick pays tribute to the whole landscape of Byrd's genius with a passion that ends the project on a high. As with the earlier instalments, Andrew Carwood's direction and programming are equally inspired ... The musical imagination of The Cardinall's Musick does full justice to that of Byrd. Unique about this ensemble is its expressiveness, whether members sing seamlessly as one or tug at each other's lines. The group's delivery is a sensual delight". Classic fM Magazine noted the "passionate performances by a superb choir, brilliantly directed". Gramophone's Editor James Inverne called the series a "journey of the very highest quality" and reviewer Fabric Fitch went on to say that "Hyperion has done Byrd proud … It's a mixture also of the celebratory, as though the singers were congratulating themselves on a job well done - as well they might - and the penitential, concluding with the full ensemble in a finely judged and quite extrovert Infelix ego, surely one of Byrd's most memorable motets … The commitment of singers and label alike is a cause for gratitude, perhaps even optimism. Congratulations to all concerned" Click here to visit the Hyperion website for sound clips and more information on the new CD. _______________________________________________________________ 
Kate Valentine's debut as Elisabeth Zimmer in ENO's Elegy for Young Lovers Make sure you do not miss Kate Valentine's 'touchingly sung' (Financial Times) debut as Elisabeth Zimmer in ENO's new production of Henze's Elegy for Young Lovers. Having premiered Saturday 24th April at the Young Vic, reviewers are praising the 'lyric flights of Kate Valentine and Rob Murray's "lovers"' (Edward Seckerson, The Independent) in this 'Tour de force' production as 'impressive' (Andrew Clements, The Guardian). A tragic love story controlled by the selfish desires of a poet in search of inspiration, this production, with a libretto co-written by W.H. Auden and directed by Fiona Shaw, is definitely a must - see. Click here to visit the ENO website for more information and to view Fiona Shaw's podcast on Elegy for Young Lovers. _______________________________________________________________ 
Rupert Christiansen interviews Kate Valentine for The Daily Telegraph As one of The Daily Telegraph's New Faces, Kate Valentine discusses her role debut as Elisabeth Zimmer in ENO's upcoming run of Henze's Elegy for Young Lovers. To read the interview, follow the link below and find out why Kate is 'looking unstoppable'! Click here to read Rupert Christiansen's New Faces article in The Daily Telegraph Click here to visit the ENO website for more information on Elegy for Young Lovers. _______________________________________________________________ 
'The Diamond Strength of Gillian Ramm's excellent Tytania' So said Hilary Finch of The Times describing Gillian Ramm who is stunning audiences in ETO's new production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her 'Amazonian Tytania' (Rupert Christiansen - The Telegraph) 'gleams and glistens' (George Hall, The Stage), whilst Claire Seymore (Opera Today) writes: 'Gillian Ramm's bright voice shone, matching the shimmers of her silvery gown. The brilliance of her upper range pierced like a moon beam through the night sky, and it was no wonder that the beauty of her chain of falling thirds, 'I how I love thee', won the ass-headed Bottom's heart.' It is a performance not to be missed! Gillian will be performing with ETO in A Midsummer Night's Dream until May 2010. For more information and performance dates, please click here to visit the ETO website. _______________________________________________________________ 
Andrew Strange joins the Artist Management teamWe are delighted to announce that Andrew Strange has joined the Rayfield Artists team as Artist Manager. Andrew comes with an impressive pedigree: after completing his studies at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music, Andrew worked at IMG Artists Europe for over ten years: as Artist Manager, he looked after conductors and instrumentalists including Nicola Benedetti, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Zoltan Kocsis, Freddy Kempf, Guy Johnston, Barry Wordsworth and Jakub Hrusa. As Manager of International Touring, he was responsible for the management of European tours for ensembles including the Pittsburgh and Dallas Symphony Orchestras, the BBC Philharmonic and BBC Symphony, and he was Tour Manager for concerts given by the Leipzig Gewandhaus, New World Symphony and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Andrew was subsequently appointed Artist Manager at Harrison/Parrott Ltd, where his clients included Mikko Franck, Jonathan Nott, Leila Josefowicz, Sakari Oramo, Sayaka Shoji and Krzysztof Urbanski. As well as his work in artist management, Andrew also performs regularly as a freelance violist with ensembles including the Stockholm Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, National Symphony and Brighton Philharmonic. _______________________________________________________________ 
"Outstanding" - yet more plaudits for The Prince Consort's debut CDFollowing on from Editor's Choice in The Gramophone last year, The Prince Consort collects another award this February from International Record Review. "The five singers are a vocally attractive lot and truly sensitive both to the texts and to the ways in which Rorem's music illuminates those texts", raves Raymond Tuttle; "These performances, cannily sequenced, are a model of how these songs should be sung". Director Alisdair Hogarth "makes a treasurable contribution… Rorem's piano … demands artistry and technical skill. Hogarth supplies it unstintingly." For more information visit the Linn Records website. The Prince Consort gives the world premiere of a new work at the Wigmore Hall on 14 March - not to be missed! _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: conductor Nicholas CleoburyWe are delighted that conductor Nicholas Cleobury has joined the Rayfield Artists roster. He is one of Britain's most experienced and respected conductors: an orchestral and operatic interpreter of flair and imagination, he is also an expert choral conductor and has a passionate commitment to contemporary music. He is Founder Laureate of the Britten Sinfonia, Principal Conductor and Founder Director of Sounds New and Principal Conductor of the Oxford Bach Choir. He is also the new Artistic Director of Mid Wales Opera, with whom he will conduct Verdi's Falstaff later this year in a new production by Martin Lloyd-Evans. He is an enormously experienced concert and opera conductor with an impressive history of working with most of the established companies and festivals throughout Britain and abroad, including English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Opera North, the Proms, Aldeburgh, Welsh National Opera and Zurich Opera. He appears regularly on the BBC and Classic fM and has a wide discography, recording notably with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Britten Sinfonia. "… among this country's most dynamic and versatile conductors." - The Independent "Nicholas Cleobury conducts with élan and precision." - Financial Times _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: tenor James OxleyWe are thrilled that tenor James Oxley has joined the Rayfield Artists roster. James has appeared at all the major concert halls in London, at Symphony Hall Birmingham and Philharmonic Hall Liverpool, and notable UK concert credits include Missa Solemnis with Heinrich Schiff and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Stravinsky Renard with Psappha at the BBC Proms, Haydn Creation and Mozart Great Mass with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Handel Alexander's Feast with Northern Sinfonia and Nicholas McGegan. His engagements have taken him throughout Europe, especially to France where he has worked with Philippe Herreweghe, Hervé Niquet and Christophe Rousset. Equally at home on the operatic stage he has sung the roles of Lensky and Belmonte at the Opera de Rennes, Lucano in Monteverdi’s Poppea at English National Opera, and Ferrando, Steersman Der Fliegende Holländer and the title role in Candide at the Opera de Rouen. He is a member of the group The Factory, an experimental theatre company in London. _______________________________________________________________ 
Julia Sporsén makes her Wigmore Hall recital debutIn 2009, soprano Julia Sporsén and pianist Joseph Middleton won the Maisie Lewis Young Artists Competition, and were awarded with a recital at London's prestigious Wigmore Hall. This was given on January 11th when they presented a wide-ranging programme including Berg's Sieben Frühe Lieder, 12 Songs from Wolf's Italienisches Liederbuch and the London première of Howard Blake's Sleepwalking. Bob Briggs of MusicWeb International reviewed the concert, commenting that "Julia Sporsén is not only the possessor of a fine voice, she fully understands how to shade her instrument, and what vocal colour is required for whatever she is singing." _______________________________________________________________ 
"A series to savour": La Serenissima's The French ConnectionEarly Music Review's David Hansell follows in the footsteps of previous reviewers, commending La Serenissima's first recording in the new series The French Connection: "Katy Bircher (flute) and Peter Whelan (bassoon) are the featured soloists of this issue and one has to hope that they will continue to be so. The latter's virtuosity on an always unlikely instrument is almost alarming but at the same time compelling." To purchase the disc visit the Avie Records website. This season La Serenissima will perform "Gods, Emperors and Angels" at the prestigious Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music - for more information please see the Lufthansa Festival website. _______________________________________________________________ 
Robin Blaze on "excellent form"Another offering from the Bach Collegium Japan cantatas project collects great reviews for Robin Blaze from BBC Music Magazine and from The Gramophone, whose Jonathan Freeman-Attwood writes that "no one could convey the gallant sweetness of the alto aria, "Du Herr, du krönst allein" with more "unction and blessing" (to quote the translation here) than Robin Blaze." For more information on this recording please click here. Concerts this season include Handel's Belshazzar with Manchester Camerata and Nicholas Kraemer, Bach's St Matthew Passion with Collegium Vocale Gent and Philippe Herreweghe, a Pergolesi recording and concerts all over Europe with Florilegium, Bach at the Wigmore Hall with the Retrospect Ensemble, Bach's Mass in B minor with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Thierry Fischer, and Robin also continues his collaboration with Bach Collegium Japan and Masaaki Suzuki. _______________________________________________________________
Editor's Choice for The Prince Consort's debut CDExcellent reviews of The Prince Consort's Rorem CD continue to appear in the press: described as "a most attractive disc" by John Steane, it is a Gramophone Editor's Choice in the latest edition. "The Prince Consort makes a brilliant case for this sometimes elusive composer… consistently enchanting", is the write-up in Classic fM, while for BBC Music Magazine's Anthony Burton the disc is quite simply "outstanding". For more information visit the Linn Records website. A great start to the year for the group, which appears twice at the Wigmore Hall this Spring! _______________________________________________________________ 
The Cardinall's Musick podcast: Classic fM interview with Andrew CarwoodTwenty years ago in Oxford - Christmas 1989 - a new early-music ensemble called The Cardinall's Musick performed their very first concert. Now established as one of Britain's leading vocal groups, they celebrate this landmark aniversary with a vibrant celebration concert in St John's Smith Square in London on December 18th. Lassus's stuning double choir Missa Osculetur me is interleaved with motets by Victoria, and William Byrd is represented by a set of Mass Propers for the Nativity of the Virgin - an inspiring collection of great names from the past to prepare for the season of Christmas. You can hear Andrew Carwood being interviewed on Classic fM about the concert as well as the anniversary celebrations by clicking here. _______________________________________________________________ 
Conversazioni - Andrew Radley to release solo recording for Avie RecordsAndrew Radley and harpsichordist Julian Perkins are due to release their first recording together, entitled Conversazioni. Featuring, amongst others, composers such as Caldara, Scarlatti, Handel and Albinoni, the recording has been made possible through the generous funding of the Arimathea Charitable Trust, Fidelio Trust and Vox Musica Trust. Watch this space for release dates! To hear Andrew sing live on stage you might like to travel to Denmark in March for Handel's Jephtha with the Royal Danish Opera. _______________________________________________________________ 
Gillian Ramm saves the day in Gran CanariaGillian Ramm proved that 'the show must go on' by rushing out to sunny Gran Canaria to join Paul McCreesh, along with mezzo-soprano Renata Pokupic, tenor Andrew Kennedy and bass Matthew Best in their performance of Messiah last week. Making her debut with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Gran Canaria and appearing for the first time for maestro McCreesh, Gillian replaced Susan Gritton as the soprano soloist. Gillian has just finished touring with Glyndebourne Touring Opera as Fiordiligi in their production of Cosi fan tutte. _______________________________________________________________
Andrew Radley "shines" in his Messiah debut with the Bachchor MainzAndrew Radley , who is "making a name for himself as an interpreter of Baroque music, and particularly Handelian roles" (Rebecca Hack, Allgemeine Zeitung) made his debut with the Bachchor Mainz for their interpretation of Handel's Messiah this year, receiving glowing reviews. Andrew's " flexible" voice caught the attention of the audience in the Christuskirche, Mainz, with his "soaring high notes", "filling each aria with tension" (Matthias Mader, Mainzer Rhein Zeitung). Andrew will be joining the Royal Danish Opera as Hamor in their production of Handel's Jephtha early next year. _______________________________________________________________
"such a delight" - The Prince Consort's debut albumThe Prince Consort has just released its debut CD: Ned Rorem songs with Linn Records. In the words of BBC Radio 3's Andrew McGregor "It's partly the variety of voices, timbres and combinations that they bring to bear in their selection of Rorem's songs that makes this such a delight… Deceptively simple pleasures, … and it's an excellent recording." Rorem's songs have received all too little recognition, and there's a buzz of excitement surrounding the recording: "… this Linn recording is revelatory, devotedly sung and played, and altogether special" writes David Wordsworth (Classical Source). Andrew Clements (The Guardian) finds the songs "intriguing". "The performances catch every drop of that naturalness… it crystallises its essence perfectly." For more information visit the Linn Records website. The Prince Consort makes two appearances at the Wigmore Hall next spring - watch this space for more information! _______________________________________________________________ 
"An Octavian in the making" - Anne Marie Gibbons's "fiery" AriodanteAnne Marie Gibbons is a resounding success in ETO's production of Ariodante (one of a number of productions in the company's Handelfest - Anne Marie also sings the title role in Teseo), and has attracted the praise of critics: "Anne Marie Gibbons was an outstanding Ariodante, whether fiery in coloratura, sharing in a ravishing love-duet with Rachel Nicholls …, or lamenting in a memorably beautiful 'Love undying'." (Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post). Ariodante is undoubtedly one of the most technically demanding parts in baroque opera, and Anne Marie defies the challenges with her "enviable technique in the coloratura passages that litter the role… Her sound was fresh and attractive and she did not put a foot wrong" writes Mike Reynolds for Musical Criticism. Among her future operatic appearances, Anne Marie will perform Dorabella Cosi fan tutte for Welsh National Opera. _______________________________________________________________
La Serenissima is Gramophone Editor's Choice"Vivaldi's French side explored with great skill and taste": The French Connection, La Serenissima's most recent release on the Avie label, has notched up yet another excellent review - this time in The Gramophone, in which it was also Editor's Choice. "Always pleasing", Lindsay Kemps writes of the concertos on this recording, "They are played with skill and taste… The orchestral sound, as always with La Serenissima, achieves bright attractiveness and vivacity". La Serenissima will be playing The French Connection in York, Truro, and Bristol this year; for more information please see the La Serenissima website. To purchase the disc visit the Avie Records website. _______________________________________________________________
New Artist: mezzo-soprano Anne Marie GibbonsAnne Marie Gibbons was from 2004-2007 a Company Principal at English National Opera where roles included Dorabella Cosi fan tutte, Flora La Traviata, Ino Semele, Nero Agrippina and Annio La Clemenza di Tito with conductors including Edward Gardner, Mark Wigglesworth, David Parry, Daniel Reuss, Jonathan Darlington, Laurence Cummings and Johannes Debus. This autumn she will be performing the title roles in Handel's Ariodante and Teseo for English Touring Opera, and other future engagements include Dorabella for Welsh National Opera. _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: soprano Martene GrimsonMartene Grimson came to prominence after being awarded second place in the 2006 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, and since then notable appearances include Hyacinthus Apollo and Hyacinthus, Aminta Il Re Pastore and Cinna Lucio Silla with the Classical Opera Company, her recent debut for the Nationale Reisopera as Glauce Medea, Ilia Idomeneo for Pinchgut Opera in Sydney, as well as appearances at Opera North and Wexford Festival Opera. Opera Magazine described her recent performances in Le Nozze di Figaro for Longborough Festival Opera as "utterly captivating as Susanna, both visually and in the pert sweetness of her vocal delivery." _______________________________________________________________
Gillian Ramm: "rapturous" as FiordiligiGillian Ramm's return to Glyndebourne Touring Opera, as Fiordiligi, is collecting excellent reviews. "Intensely thoughtful" and "gripping to watch", writes Hilary Finch for The Times, "Ramm is as deeply into the role as any Fiordiligi I have seen on this stage". John Allison in Opera magazine writes that "Gillian Ramm is a fine Fiordiligi" and Tim Ashley (The Guardian) commends her "rapturous Fiordiligi" - a role that she performed as her debut for Glyndebourne Opera Festival in 2007. The production continues at Glyndebourne until the end of October, and then tours to Woking (New Victoria Theatre), Stoke-on-Trent (The Regent Theatre), Norwich (Theatre Royal), Milton Keynes (The Milton Keynes Theatre), and Plymouth (Theatre Royal); for more information please visit the Glyndebourne Touring Opera website. _______________________________________________________________  Patricia Rozario's latest CD release Spanish Songs receives glowing reviewsPatrica Rozario has received glowing reviews for her latest CD release "Spanish Songs" (Somm SOMMCD078) with Craig Ogden. Christopher Cook (International Record Review) writes " Ogden and Rozario find something really special here (in Aranjuéz, ma pensée), that particular blend of sensuality and melancholy that the rest of Europe regards as truly Iberian." Robert Maycock (BBC Music Magazine) praises "Rozario is in her element, finely phrased and delicately nuanced, and Ogden responds with unforced vitality." Patricia's future engagements include a Handel concert with the Bath Philharmonia and a recital with the Birmingham Chamber Music Society. _______________________________________________________________ New Artist: conductor Andrew GriffithsRayfield Artists is very excited to be moving into the field of conductor representation, and as our first such artist we are thrilled that the talented young British conductor Andrew Griffiths has joined our roster. Andrew is a recent graduate of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has already conducted Hansel and Gretel for Opera North, The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro for Iford Festival Opera, Rita and La Serva Padrona for Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre, and performances of Flavio and Amadigi for Early Opera Company. He has also assisted on major projects at the Royal Opera including the Ring Cycle as well the world premiere of Harrison Birtwistle's The Minotaur. _______________________________________________________________ New Artist: Soprano Gillian RammWe are delighted that Australian soprano Gillian Ramm has joined the Rayfield Artists roster. Gillian will sing Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte for Glyndebourne on Tour this Autumn, having previously sung the role at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2007. She has also just made a successful debut at English National Opera singing the First Niece in David Alden's acclaimed production of Peter Grimes, having sung the Second Niece at the Teatro di San Carlo, Naples, under the baton of Jeffrey Tate earlier in the year. _______________________________________________________________
Rave reviews for La Serenissima's new CD The French ConnectionLa Serenissima's most recent release, "The French Connection", continues to attract the very best reviews from the national press. Stephen Petitt (The Sunday Times) praises the "eloquently precise but excitingly spontaneous performances of unfailingly imaginative music." The CD delves into the world of the virtuosic wind concerto, and director Adrian Chandler ("an impeccably stylish soloist" - The Sunday Times) and his team reap the benefits of tackling this difficult and unusual repertoire: "La Serenissima plays crisply and with rhythmic buoyancy in these fine pieces… The F major Bassoon Concerto, RV488 … comes off splendidly in Peter Whelan's fluent, often playful account… Katy Bircher's warmly rounded sound is a constant delight, as is the lively, sympathetic string support." Nicholas Anderson (International Record Review). Following in the footsteps of La Serenissima's previous release (the third volume in its series "The Rise of the North Italian Violin Concerto"), which has just been nominated for a Gramophone Award, "The French Connection" has already received several five-star reviews: "…this is a disc to leave you with a spring in your step." (The Irish Times). "Vivaldi at his stylistic best ... La Serenissima's period instruments bring a smooth beauty to some of the composer's most elegant music." (Daily Express). To purchase the disc visit the Avie Records website. _______________________________________________________________ 
Three Rayfield Artists short-listed for 2009 Gramophone AwardsThe short-list for the prestigious 2009 Gramophone Awards has just been announced, and we are delighted that three of our artists have reached this important stage. Firstly The Cardinall's Musick have been shortlisted in the Early Music category for "Hodie Simon Petrus", volume 11 of their complete William Byrd series for Hyperion Records. No strangers to the Gramophone Awards, The Cardinall's Musick have won in this category three times before, most recently in 2007 for their last Byrd CD (Volume 10 - "Laudibus in Sanctis" - more information here). BBC Music Magazine have also praised the recording: "This performance is unparalleled in its depth of expression and intelligence...this performances brings us into the 'heavenly kingdom' longed for by Byrd". More details and reviews can be found here. Having been awarded first choice last month on BBC Radio 3's Building a Library (click here for more information), the Dunedin Consort's Acis and Galatea - in which Matthew Brook sings Polyphemus - has been nominated in the Baroque Vocal category. The CD has already collected numerous awards: Disc of the Month (Gramophone), Opera and Vocal Disc of the Month (Classic FM Magazine) and CD of the Week (The Observer). Matthew will be recording Bach's Mass in B minor with The Dunedin Consort, also on the Linn label, in September this year. More information on the Acis and Galatea recording can be found here. Last, but certainly not least, one of Rayfield Artists' newest clients La Serenissima has been nominated in the Baroque Instrumental Award for the third volume in its series "The Rise of the North Italian Violin Concerto". The disc has already collected high praise from the press: "La Serenissima's playing sparkles infectiously with robust, full-on contributions…" said BBC Music Magazine of the CD, which explores concertos by Vivaldi, Locatelli, Sammartini and Tartini. Glowing reviews reflect the work of artistic director Adrian Chandler, who is the driving force behind the ensemble and its programming: "His cadenza is finely conceived and executed" comments Peter Branscombe; "he is clearly a highly talented soloist as well as [a] skilful editor and director." (International Record Review). For more information, click here to visit La Serenissima's website. _______________________________________________________________ 
The Prince Consort is down to the last five for Cultural OlympiadThe Prince Consort is one of five artistic collaborations in the East of England to be selected as finalists for the Cultural Olympiad project 'Artists taking the Lead'. Alisdair Hogarth and his ensemble will work together with composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad to create a new song-cycle - with texts commissioned from renowned writers including former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion. Frances Hoad and The Prince Consort have been given a grant to develop their project further over the next few months in preparation for the final selection this Autumn - if successful, they will be one of twelve artists representing UK culture at the Olympics in 2012! For more information, click here to visit the Artists Taking the Lead website. _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: Eddie WadeWe are delighted to announce that Eddie Wade is the latest addition to the Rayfield Artists roster. He has just finished a run of performances of La Traviata at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden where he has been singing Baron Douphol (in a cast also including Renee Fleming and Thomas Hampson). His next engagement is again La Traviata at Welsh National Opera where he will be singing the role of Giorgio Germont, having sung Il Conte Le Nozze di Figaro for the same company earlier this year. _______________________________________________________________ 
Rayfield Artists at the Edinburgh FestivalThis year's Edinburgh International Festival sees another bumper year for Rayfield Artists singers, with three taking part in various concerts and operas. Countertenor Robin Blaze will sing Goffredo in Rinaldo, the first opera Handel produced for the London stage, with Bach Collegium Japan and conductor Masaaki Suzuki in the Usher Hall on 24 August; he will also perform solo cantatas by Bach including the sublime Vergnügte Ruh at the Greyfriars Kirk on 25 August. Following his success at the Edinburgh International Festival last year, Matthew Brook returns this year with Dunedin Consort singing Bach Cantatas at the Greyfriars Kirk on 21 August. Andrew Radley makes his debut at the Edinburgh International Festival in the Göttingen International Handel Festival's new production of Handel's Admeto on 28, 29, and 31 August in the Festival Theatre - the production was premiered in Göttingen this June. For more information, click here to visit the Edinburgh International Festival website. _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: mezzo-soprano Gaynor KeebleWe are thrilled that mezzo-soprano Gaynor Keeble has joined the Rayfield Artists roster. Gaynor has been performing at Covent Garden this season, having sung The Voice of the Mother in Les contes d'Hoffmann (opposite Rolando Villazon) and Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte. She has also recently appeared at English National Opera singing Katisha in Jonathan Miller's production of The Mikado and Opera North singing Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mother/Witch in Hansel and Gretel. Future engagements include Marcellina Le Nozze di Figaro for Mid-Wales Opera. _______________________________________________________________ 
Mhairi Lawson's Handelian performances attract rave reviewsMhairi Lawson's Handelian performances this summer have continued to attract rave reviews, especially from her most recent roles as Dorinda (Orlando) at the Buxton Festival conducted by Christian Curnyn, and Iphis (Jephtha), with the Gabrieli Consort and players, conducted by Paul McCreesh at the Barbican Hall, having just been performed in Paris the week before. Hilary Finch (The Times) wrote that "...true Handelian style at last surfaces in the voice of Mhairi Lawson as the sadly wise nurse Dorinda", and Agnes Kory (MusicalCriticism.com) writes "Mhairi Lawson (Iphis) is a great communicator, charmingly seductive but also disciplined and tasteful. She told the story with suitable pure voice, lovely tone-colour changes and facial expressions...". Geoff Brown (The Times) comments "Mhairi Lawson's clear-voiced Iphis - light as a fairy in 'Tune the melodious flute', touchingly fragile minutes later after accepting her lot as a sacrificial offering." Mhairi will be performing Handel's Israel in Egypt with Arsys Borgogne in La Chaise-Dieu, France at the end of August, and Handel's Messiah with the Academy of Ancient Music on a European tour conducted by Richard Egarr in December. _______________________________________________________________ 
The Cardinall's Musick open the BBC Proms Chamber Music seasonWe are thrilled that the Cardinall's Musick will perform the opening concert in this year's BBC Proms Chamber Music series this coming Monday 20th July at 1pm at Cadogan Hall in London. Part of The Cardinall's Musick's 20th anniversary celebrations which started earlier this year with a hugely successful concert at the Wigmore Hall ("their latest appearance in this venue proved an inspiring experience" - The Independent), this concert also celebrates the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Henry VIII. The music of the time, by masters such as Fayrfax and Taverner, is richly sonorous and grand in design, a combination of massive choral writing and complex layering of solo lines showcasing the virtuosity of The Cardinall's Musick. The programme's mix of sacred and secular also includes smaller scale works including songs by King Henry himself. For more information on the performance (and to "Listen Again") click here. The Cardinall's Musick will also be performing twice in a special BBC Proms opening night edition of In Tune on Radio 3 this Friday 17th July (at 5.45 and 7pm). You'll be able to hear a sneak preview of the Proms concert programme as well as some pieces from the group's last two Gramophone award winning CDs of William Byrd and Thomas Tallis. For more information (and to "Listen Again") click here. _______________________________________________________________ 
Matthew Brook's Polyphemus is BBC Radio 3's first choiceAlready Disc of the Month (The Gramophone), Opera & Vocal Disc of the Month (Classic FM Magazine), and CD of the Week (The Observer), the Dunedin Consort's Acis and Galatea on Linn Records has been selected as First Choice Recommendation by BBC Radio 3. Matthew Brook "presents an undiluted paradox of naive tenderness, convivial clumsiness and grotesque lust" as Polyphemus, says David Vickers on Building a Library (BBC Radio 3). Matthew returns to the Edinburgh Festival this year to perform Bach cantatas with the Dunedin Consort; he also sings Mendelssohn's epic oratorio Elijah at the Three Choirs Festival (Hereford) with the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as the same composer's Die Erste Walpurgisnacht with the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées. _______________________________________________________________
La Serenissima releases The French Connection on AvieLa Serenissima's most recent release, The French Connection, is now available on the Avie label (AV 2178). The CD, which features outstanding flautist Katy Bircher and bassoonist Peter Whelan as well as Adrian Chandler, the group's founder and director, has already attracted excellent reviews in the national press: "Chandler is an impeccably stylish soloist… Throughout, he also directs La Serenissima in eloquently precise but excitingly spontaneous performances of unfailingly imaginative music" (The Sunday Times). To purchase the disc visit the Avie Records website. La Serenissima continues to explore the repertoire for wind and strings in various new programmes, with upcoming concerts in cities including London, Malta, York, and Bristol. _______________________________________________________________ 
New CD release for Patricia Rozario:Spanish song for voice and guitar Patricia Rozario releases her second CD release of the year, this time of Spanish song, accompanied by guitarist Craig Ogden. With songs by Joachín Rodrigo, Fernando Sor and Roberto Gerhard, three of the greatest Spanish composers of the last two centuries, the disc encompasses a wonderfully broad expressive range, the songs beautifully coloured by their folk-based roots. The music of Joachín Rodrigo gained particular fame due to the immense popularity of his Concierto de Aranjuez, and the famous second movement of the Concierto, arranged posthumously by Rodrigo's widow into a song entitled Aranjuez, ma pensée, concludes this intimate and atmospheric disc. For more information and to purchase the disc visit the Somm Records website. _______________________________________________________________ 
Kate Valentine triumphs as Constanze in Opera North house debutKate Valentine has scored a triumph in her house debut with Opera North as Constanze in Tim Hopkins' new production of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio. Critical acclaim for Kate in her role debut as Constanze - one of the Mozart's most technically-demanding roles - has been plentiful and testament to Kate's growing stature as one of the UK's brightest young sopranos. Rupert Christiansen writes in The Telegraph: "Constanze's arias have defeated some of the greatest prima donnas on record. But they appear to hold no terrors for Kate Valentine, who attacked their runs and leaps with terrific flair and accuracy"; Andrew Clark in the Financial Times praises "Kate Valentine's technically accomplished, strongly acted Constanze"; Richard Morrison in The Times writes "Kate Valentine makes an admirable attempt at Constanze - one of opera's great impossible roles (…) far from flagging, her voice grows warmer as the evening progresses"; and in The Independent Lynne Walker reports that "Kate Valentine (...) has an instinct for the shape of Mozart's lines and the suppleness of technique to blossom warmly in the role of Constanze". Kate also made a great impression in the regional press; the Yorkshire Post full of special praise: "Scottish soprano, Kate Valentine, makes a winsome Constanze, meeting Mozart's technical demands with brilliance and beauty of tone". _______________________________________________________________ 
New Górecki CD release for Patricia RozarioSoprano Patricia Rozario continues her work as a leading exponent of contemporary music with the release of a very special limited edition release on debut label Louth Sounds. Entitled A Place Between, the disc features Patricia in Henryk Górecki's hauntingly beautiful Good Night and the world première recording of Alexander Knaifel's O Heavenly King in its version for string quartet, soprano and celeste, and also includes works by Tavener, Pärt and Cage. Recorded in the superb acoustic of St Peter's Church, Drogheda, the CD has already attracted rave reviews from the press, including Irish national paper The Sunday Business Post, which hailed the "exquisite singing of ethereal quality by soprano Patricia Rozario". _______________________________________________________________ 
Welcome return to Handel opera for Mark ChaundyMark Chaundy will sing Lurcanio in Handel’s Ariodante with Cambridge Handel Opera Group at West Road Concert Hall (performances 29 and 30 April, 2 and 3 May), making a welcome return to the company after his acclaimed performance as Bajazet in Tamerlano ("Chaundy sang with gravitas ... truly affecting.” – Opera). Future operatic highlights this season include Jacquino (cover) Fidelio and Albafiorita (cover) in Martinu’s Mirandolina for Garsington Opera, and Frisellino in Haydn’s Le pescatrici for Bampton Classical Opera. _______________________________________________________________ 
Richard Edgar-Wilson in premiere of Huw Watkins' opera Crime FictionRichard Edgar-Wilson has once again shown his virtuosity by creating the role of the Author in Crime Fiction, an operatic collaboration between British composer Huw Watkins and poet and crime writer David Harsent, in the world premiere production by Music Theatre Wales. Part of an "excellent cast" (Richard Morrison, The Times), Richard Edgar-Wilson proved to be formidable in the leading role - "tenor Richard Edgar-Wilson, as the Author, made every word crystal clear and managed to be naturally expressive of tone" (Rian Evans, Opera). Richard performs in another world premiere production this Autumn: Eleanor Alberga's new opera Letters of Love Betrayed, again with Music Theatre Wales. The first performances will be at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and then on tour round the UK. For more information please click here. _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: The Prince Consort"Stylistically and tonally, the blend was sensational...a vivid, compelling performance" - high praise from Anna Picard (the Independent on Sunday) marks out The Prince Consort, the latest addition to the Rayfield Artists roster, as a group to watch out for. Under the dynamic leadership of director Alisdair Hogarth, this ensemble of outstanding soloists has embarked on an innovative exploration of song, presenting wide-ranging programmes with different combinations of voice and piano - from solo to small ensembles, Schumann and Brahms to Britten and Tippett. As well as recitals at the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room, and a residency at Aldeburgh, The Prince Consort has just recorded its debut CD of Ned Rorem songs for Linn Records, which will be released in October 2009. Stay tuned for further news from this exciting group! _______________________________________________________________
"A crystal stream of pure, limpid soprano sound": Mhairi Lawson's GalateaMhairi Lawson's recent performance as Galatea (Acis and Galatea) at the Wigmore Hall, London for the Gabrieli Consort under Paul McCreesh has attracted excellent reviews: Hugh Canning (The Sunday Times) commends her "...crystal stream of pure, limpid soprano sound…", and Hilary Finch (The Times) writes that "…hers was the very epitome of sweet English song". Mhairi Lawson will perform Iphis in Handel's Jephtha for the Gabrieli Consort at the Barbican Hall and in Paris this June, and she will also be singing Dorinda in Orlando at the Buxton Festival this July. She sings the soprano solos in Messiah with the Academy of Ancient Music in December. _______________________________________________________________ 
New Artist: La SerenissimaOutstanding ensemble La Serenissima is the latest addition to the Rayfield Artists roster. Since its foundation in 1994 La Serenissima, under the direction of virtuoso violinist Adrian Chandler, has gained a formidable reputation for its unique sound and its vibrant interpretations of the music of Vivaldi and his contemporaries: "amid the current welter of Vivaldi recordings, there is no doubt that with well programmed and performed releases such as this, La Serenissima are winning an important place for themselves..." (Gramophone Magazine); "…the trademark vitality of La Serenissima's sound is unmistakeable" (Goldberg Magazine). Among a number of exciting new projects is an exploration of the influence of French style (le gout francais!) on Vivaldi in a rare and innovative programme of concertos for various combinations of flute, recorder, violin and bassoon; The French Connection will be released on the Avie label in June 2009. _______________________________________________________________
Gramophone Recording of the Month: Matthew Brook's Polyphemus (Acis and Galatea) on Linn RecordsThe excellent reviews of Dunedin Consort's Acis and Galatea, on which Matthew Brook sings Polyphemus, have continued to appear in the national press, and the disc has just received the accolade of Gramophone Recording of the Month for January 2009. Matthew is praised for his "extrovert, powerful, and amusing" portrayal of the monster, which nonetheless "arouses pity and tenderness from the listener" (David Vickers, The Gramophone). Matthew's engagements this season and beyond including Bach's St Matthew Passion for the Netherlands Bach Society; Bach's St John Passion with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Oleg Caetani; his debut appearance at the Tonhalle, Zurich in a concert conducted by Marcus Creed; as well as Nielson's Symphony no. 3 with the Hallé Orchestra and Mark Elder, Friar Tuck from Sullivan's Ivanhoe (Chandos recording) with David Lloyd-Jones, and Zuniga in Carmen at the Opera Comique in Paris. _______________________________________________________________
New Artist: mezzo-soprano Lina MarkebyRayfield Artists welcomes mezzo-soprano Lina Markeby as the latest exciting addition to its roster. Since graduating from the Guildhall in 2006, Lina has very quickly established herself having already sung Second Woman Dido and Aeneas with William Christie and Les Arts Florissants, Arcane Teseo for English Touring Opera, and Messaggiera L'Orfeo for Drottningsholms Slottstheater. Having recently covered Arsace Partenope for English National Opera she has been invited back by the company to sing Second Woman this season in Katie Mitchell's exciting new take on Dido and Aeneas conducted by Christian Curnyn. 2009 sees further performances of Dido and Aeneas with Les Arts Florissants in Vienna and Amsterdam, and in 2010 Lina will sing Cherubino le Nozze di Figaro and Dorabella Cosi fan tutte with Jean-Claude Malgoire at the Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing. _______________________________________________________________
"Unfailingly beautiful" - Mhairi Lawson impresses in Haydn Creation recordingMhairi Lawson has attracted wonderful reviews for her recent recording of Haydn's Creation with Edward Higginbottom on Oxford Philomusica Records (OP 008-9). George Hall writes in BBC Music Magazine that she is "a major asset: Mhairi Lawson has a beautiful voice and excellent artistry", and later in the same article that she "proves as unfailingly beautiful in tone as she is neat in execution." Mhairi Lawson is well-known on stage and recordings for her vivid vocal depictions, and this new release is no exception - Emma Baker (Classic FM Magazine) praises her "sweet, expressive soprano" and her characterisation in the second part of this masterpiece, where she is "full of wonder as Eve." |
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New Artist: cellist Antonio MenesesCopyright © 2007 Ben Rayfield. All rights reserved. This page is w3c verified as valid HTML 4.01