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RAYFIELD ARTISTS LATEST NEWS 
"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 premičre 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 premičre 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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Andrew Strange joins the Artist Management teamCopyright © 2007 Ben Rayfield. All rights reserved. This page is w3c verified as valid HTML 4.01