
Die zauberflöte x ram
Olivia Clarke conductor
Jamie Manton director
Justin Nardella designer
Charlie Morgan Jones lighting designer
MOZART Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), K 620
In an enchanted realm, the Queen of the Night plots against the high priest Sarastro.
Follow a noble hero, his loveable sidekick and a princess in mortal danger as they navigate trials to achieve
enlightenment. Conducted by BBC Music Magazine Rising Star Olivia Clarke.
Caroline sings the role of Pamina.

Die zauberflöte x ram
Olivia Clarke conductor
Jamie Manton director
Justin Nardella designer
Charlie Morgan Jones lighting designer
MOZART Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), K 620
In an enchanted realm, the Queen of the Night plots against the high priest Sarastro.
Follow a noble hero, his loveable sidekick and a princess in mortal danger as they navigate trials to achieve
enlightenment. Conducted by BBC Music Magazine Rising Star Olivia Clarke.
Caroline sings the role of Pamina.

Handel's Messiah
Continuing their 200th Anniversary celebrations, Ipswich Choral Society return to the Corn Exchange to perform Handel’s choral masterpiece ‘Messiah’, one of the most performed works in the Society’s history. With this performance, Ipswich Choral Society pays homage to the many singers who have sung with the choir since 1824.
Ipswich Choral Society is delighted to be performing with guest choir Ipswich Chamber Choir, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. Ipswich Choral Society is thrilled to welcome back Cem Mansur, Ipswich Choral Society President, as conductor. Cem first conducted the choir at Ipswich Corn Exchange in 1999. The choir will be accompanied by the ICS Festival Orchestra. Caroline sings the Soprano solo.

saint-Saëns Oratorio de Noël
Caroline sings the soprano solo in a concert featuring Carols and Oratorio de Noël by Saint-Saëns with Burgess Hill Choral Society.

Waterperry Messiah
The Holywell Music Room will host our first performance of Handel’s Messiah this season. Considered one of Oxford’s most prominent and celebrated concert venues, The Holywell Music Room is a period-perfect place to experience one of Handel’s most beloved masterpieces. Designed by the Vice-Principal of St Edmund Hall, Thomas Caplin, The Holywell Music Room first opened its doors in 1748 (a mere 7-years after Handel composed his Messiah), and is thought to be the first custom-built concert hall in Europe.
Conducted by Waterperry Opera Festival’s Musical Director, Bertie Baigent, this performance of Handel’s Messiah will be brought to you by a reduced orchestra and five soloists, to provide an intimate experience which closely resembles how the piece would have been originally performed in 1741. Our soloists include Sopranos - Eleanor Sanderson-Nash and Caroline Blair, Countertenor - Francis Gush, Tenor - James Micklethwaite, and Baritone - Charlie Baigent.
https://waterperryoperafestival-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173650698

Hänsel und gretel x RAM
Johann Stuckenbruck Conductor
Jack Furness Director
Alex Berry Designer
Ben Ormerod Lighting Designer
HUMPERDINCK arr Derek Clarke
When Hansel and Gretel find themselves lost in the forest, they happen upon a house made of gingerbread. Unable to resist temptation, the siblings begin to eat the house, only to be captured by the witch who lives inside.
This opera made Humperdinck a household name after its first performance in December 1893.
Based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Caroline plays the role of Dew Fairy.

Hänsel und gretel X RAM
Johann Stuckenbruck Conductor
Jack Furness Director
Alex Berry Designer
Ben Ormerod Lighting Designer
HUMPERDINCK arr Derek Clarke
When Hansel and Gretel find themselves lost in the forest, they happen upon a house made of gingerbread. Unable to resist temptation, the siblings begin to eat the house, only to be captured by the witch who lives inside.
This opera made Humperdinck a household name after its first performance in December 1893.
Based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Caroline plays the role of Dew Fairy.

Recital in York
Roderick Williams baritone
with Caroline Blair soprano
Christopher Glynn piano
Programme to include:
John Ireland Sea Fever
Vaughan Williams Selection from Songs of Travel
Ivor Gurney Down by the Salley Gardens
Rebecca Clarke The Cloths of Heaven
Michael Head Tewkesbury Road
Join Roderick Williams and Grammy award-winning pianist Christopher Glynn for a journey through the highways and byways of English song, including famous songs by John Ireland and Ralph Vaughan Williams but also rarely heard and atmospheric gems by Irish composers Ina Boyle and Joan Trimble. The programme also features irresistible compositions by Roderick Williams himself (the first glimpse of a forthcoming CD), including a witty duet in which he is joined by rising-star soprano Caroline Blair.
A firm favourite with York audiences, Roderick Williams is one of the UK’s most sought-after baritones and is constantly in demand on the concert platform and in recital. In 2016 he won the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Singer of the Year award and was awarded an OBE for services to music a year later. He also sang at the Coronation of Charles III in 2023, performing Walford Davies’ Confortare in a spectacular arrangement by John Rutter with the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Remembering Osian Ellis
ANGELA BURGESS RECITAL HALL
GEORGE PARRIS New work for soprano and harp (world premiere)
to be performed by Anna Phillips and Caroline Blair.

Rao opera scenes
At the Susie Sainsbury Theatre, Royal Academy of Music
Director Paul Carr
Head of Opera Christopher White
Caroline sings Vixen (Cunning Little Vixen) and Jemmy (Guillaume Tell).

Rao opera scenes
At the Susie Sainsbury Theatre, Royal Academy of Music
Director Paul Carr
Head of Opera Christopher White
Caroline sings Vixen (Cunning Little Vixen) and Jemmy (Guillaume Tell).

on voice: Speech, song & silence
Revd Canon Dr Vicky Johnson speaker
with Caroline Blair soprano
and Thomas Butler baritone
From cathedral choirs, football chanting and birdsong, to castrati, protest songs and artificial intelligence, Vicky Johnson talks about her new book exploring the world of the voice. She is joined by two outstanding young singers to explore how sound journeys from the lips to the heart; how we speak it, how we hear it and how we embody it. And she reflects on the power of the church’s musical and liturgical heritage to cut through the clamour of our modern-day echo chambers and the roar of populism, to empower those who are seldom heard and speak into the challenges of contemporary life.
The talk will be followed by a book signing, with copies available for purchase.

an afternoon with sheila Hancock
Carducci Quartet
Caroline Blair soprano
Katy Hamilton interviewer
Music by Mahler, Dvořák, Shostakovich, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Sondheim and Beethoven.
‘I love classical music. It’s my stabiliser’ explains Sheila Hancock. ‘It’s one of the biggest comforts and joys of my life. And I want everybody to have the opportunity of that – I really do. We need people to know that it’s for everybody.’
Join one of the UK’s best-loved actors for a unique afternoon in which she reflects on her life and introduces live performances of some of her favourite pieces of music, from Beethoven’s final string quartet to a famous showtune from Sweeney Todd.
https://ryedalefestival.com/event/47-my-music-an-afternoon-with-dame-sheila-hancock/

Forest Solitude @ Ryedale
Felix Klieser horn
Stella Chen violin
Caroline Blair soprano
Thomas Butler baritone
Christopher Glynn piano
Brahms Forest Solitude – a song-prologue
Brahms Horn Trio
‘We buried her yesterday at one o’clock’ wrote Brahms on the death of his mother. ‘She had not changed at all and looked as sweet and kind as when she was alive.’ Overcome with grief, Brahms found solace in long springtime walks through the Black Forest, where he composed a haunting trio for violin, horn and piano. Two of its movements are based on a folk melody that his mother probably taught him as a child – just one of a sequence of songs performed by two Ryedale Festival Young Artists as a prologue to one of Brahms’s most moving and inspired works.
https://ryedalefestival.com/event/22-forest-solitude/

Ryedale Festival: Masterclass
The renowned mezzo-soprano shares her experience with talented young singers from across Yorkshire.
Book tickets here: https://ryedalefestival.com/event/06-singing-masterclass-fleur-barron/

Carmina Burana - Orff
The Hayfield Singers are joining forces with Hathersage Choir to perform Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at Hope Valley College on 28th April 2024. It will be a 75-minute concert conducted by Simon Mercer, with a choir of children from Hathersage St. Michael's C of E Primary School, three soloists, two grand pianos, and five percussionists.
There will be two performances (2.30pm and 7pm), each followed by a raffle and refreshments. Ticket price includes a programme. There is plenty of free parking and disabled access to the school hall. Tickets from choir members, Hayfield News, High Street Books (New Mills) or online from the Hathersage Choir website.

Carmina Burana - Orff
The Hayfield Singers are joining forces with Hathersage Choir to perform Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at Hope Valley College on 28th April 2024. It will be a 75-minute concert conducted by Simon Mercer, with a choir of children from Hathersage St. Michael's C of E Primary School, three soloists, two grand pianos, and five percussionists.
There will be two performances (2.30pm and 7pm), each followed by a raffle and refreshments. Ticket price includes a programme. There is plenty of free parking and disabled access to the school hall. Tickets from choir members, Hayfield News, High Street Books (New Mills) or online from the Hathersage Choir website.
Barbara Hannigan @ RAm
Barbara Hannigan conductor Caroline Blair soprano Trumpeter to be announced
HAYDN Symphony No 49 in F minor, Hob I:49
LIGETI Ramifications
VIVIER Bouchara
LIGETI arr ELGAR HOWARTH
Mysteries of the Macabre
Barbara Hannigan, Reinbert de Leeuw Professor of Music at the Academy, conducts a programme opening with Haydn’s Symphony No 49. Two pieces
by Hungarian composer György Ligeti, Ramifications for 12 string players and
an arrangement of three arias from
the opera Le Grand Macabre for solo trumpet and ensemble, will feature. Claude Vivier’s Bouchara for soprano and instrumentalists is sung in an invented language of love.

Albert Herring
Geoffrey Paterson conductor
Orpha Phelan director
Madeleine Boyd designer
Matt Haskins lighting designer
BRITTEN Albert Herring, Op 39
This tale of the May King is one of the great comic masterpieces of the 20th century. As large in life as Britten's deftly drawn characters, this production responds to the special combination of hysteria, claustrophobia, wonder and awakening that is Albert Herring.
Caroline sings the role of Cis.

Albert Herring
Geoffrey Paterson conductor
Orpha Phelan director
Madeleine Boyd designer
Matt Haskins lighting designer
BRITTEN Albert Herring, Op 39
This tale of the May King is one of the great comic masterpieces of the 20th century. As large in life as Britten's deftly drawn characters, this production responds to the special combination of hysteria, claustrophobia, wonder and awakening that is Albert Herring.
Caroline sings the role of Cis.

Messiah by candlelight: waterperry opera festival
Soprano Soloist for a Messiah by Candlelight.
“Now a Waterperry Opera Festival annual Christmas tradition, our Messiah by Candlelight concerts have delighted sold-out audiences since 2021. Exquisite evenings await you surrounded by candlelight and festive decorations with an ensemble of renowned singers and period instrumentalists.”
Booking is open via https://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/winterfestival2023.html

Messiah by candlelight: waterperry opera festival
Soprano Soloist for a Messiah by Candlelight.
“Now a Waterperry Opera Festival annual Christmas tradition, our Messiah by Candlelight concerts have delighted sold-out audiences since 2021. Exquisite evenings await you surrounded by candlelight and festive decorations with an ensemble of renowned singers and period instrumentalists.”
Booking is open via https://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/winterfestival2023.html

Messiah by candlelight: waterperry opera festival
Soprano Soloist for a Messiah by Candlelight.
“Now a Waterperry Opera Festival annual Christmas tradition, our Messiah by Candlelight concerts have delighted sold-out audiences since 2021. Exquisite evenings await you surrounded by candlelight and festive decorations with an ensemble of renowned singers and period instrumentalists.”
Booking is open via https://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/winterfestival2023.html

Trancending Borders: Prix de Rome
Transcending Borders is a concert series that celebrates Europe through song. This concert features works by French composers who benefited from a residency at Villa Medici in Rome, including Bizet, Debussy and Lili Boulanger.
Caroline will sing excerpts from Gonoud’s song cycle ‘Biondina’
MORE DETAILS AND BOOK TICKETS: EVENTS – ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA DI LONDRA.

BACH THE EUROPEAN
Largely made up of solo recitative and choral writing, Christus, der ist mein Leben features only one aria, which contains striking and characterful use of pizzicato strings. The urgency and drama of Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? reflects the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee; Bach responds to this with some remarkably colourful solo movements. A much more sure-footed mood is set by the opening chorus of Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz. The obbligato horn writing converses with choral passages, welcoming God’s examination of their faith.
JS Bach
Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 95
Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?, BWV 81
Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136

carmen: WATERPERRY OPERA FESTIVAL
Carmen‘s drive to live freely and independently brings her into deadly conflict with the world of male violence and control, as those who desire her seek to destroy her.
Festival Music Director Bertie Baigent (The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro) will conduct five performances of Bizet’s passionate opera on the front lawn at Waterperry House. Anna Morrissey directs a bold production full of fiery movement and spectacle, alongside Designer Charlotte Henery (The Marriage of Figaro), Lighting Designer Ryan Day and Sound Designer Will Thompson on behalf of Show Works.

carmen: WATERPERRY OPERA FESTIVAL
Carmen‘s drive to live freely and independently brings her into deadly conflict with the world of male violence and control, as those who desire her seek to destroy her.
Festival Music Director Bertie Baigent (The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro) will conduct five performances of Bizet’s passionate opera on the front lawn at Waterperry House. Anna Morrissey directs a bold production full of fiery movement and spectacle, alongside Designer Charlotte Henery (The Marriage of Figaro), Lighting Designer Ryan Day and Sound Designer Will Thompson on behalf of Show Works.

carmen: WATERPERRY OPERA FESTIVAL
Carmen‘s drive to live freely and independently brings her into deadly conflict with the world of male violence and control, as those who desire her seek to destroy her.
Festival Music Director Bertie Baigent (The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro) will conduct five performances of Bizet’s passionate opera on the front lawn at Waterperry House. Anna Morrissey directs a bold production full of fiery movement and spectacle, alongside Designer Charlotte Henery (The Marriage of Figaro), Lighting Designer Ryan Day and Sound Designer Will Thompson on behalf of Show Works.

carmen: WATERPERRY OPERA FESTIVAL
Carmen‘s drive to live freely and independently brings her into deadly conflict with the world of male violence and control, as those who desire her seek to destroy her.
Festival Music Director Bertie Baigent (The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro) will conduct five performances of Bizet’s passionate opera on the front lawn at Waterperry House. Anna Morrissey directs a bold production full of fiery movement and spectacle, alongside Designer Charlotte Henery (The Marriage of Figaro), Lighting Designer Ryan Day and Sound Designer Will Thompson on behalf of Show Works.

carmen: WATERPERRY OPERA FESTIVAL
Carmen‘s drive to live freely and independently brings her into deadly conflict with the world of male violence and control, as those who desire her seek to destroy her.
Festival Music Director Bertie Baigent (The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro) will conduct five performances of Bizet’s passionate opera on the front lawn at Waterperry House. Anna Morrissey directs a bold production full of fiery movement and spectacle, alongside Designer Charlotte Henery (The Marriage of Figaro), Lighting Designer Ryan Day and Sound Designer Will Thompson on behalf of Show Works.

Orfeo ed Eurydice X Dido and Aeneas: The grange festival
A Grange Festival Double Bill of Orfeo ed Eurydice - Gluck and Dido and Aeneas - Purcell.
Orfeo /Dido - Heather Lowe
Eurydice/ Bellinda - Alexandra Oomens
Amore/ Second Woman - Caroline Blair
Sorceress/ Spirit - Helen Charleston
Aeneas - James Newby
Conducted by Harry Christophers and Directed by Daniel Slater.

Orfeo ed Eurydice X Dido and Aeneas: The grange festival
A Grange Festival Double Bill of Orfeo ed Eurydice - Gluck and Dido and Aeneas - Purcell.
Orfeo /Dido - Heather Lowe
Eurydice/ Bellinda - Alexandra Oomens
Amore/ Second Woman - Caroline Blair
Sorceress/ Spirit - Helen Charleston
Aeneas - James Newby
Conducted by Harry Christophers and Directed by Daniel Slater.