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.

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

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

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.

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.

ANGELA BURGESS RECITAL HALL

GEORGE PARRIS New work for soprano and harp (world premiere)

to be performed by Anna Phillips and Caroline Blair.

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).

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).

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.

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/

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/

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/

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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‘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‘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‘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‘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.

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.

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.