Well I’m clearly not the most consistent of bloggers but I have the excuse that life has been busy. Juggling singing, presenting and mummying has been a bit of a whirlwind, but so far all the balls are still in the air!
This year got off to an exciting start with a New Year’s concert in the Tonhalle in Zurich. The Sylvesterkonzert featured, for the first time, Handel’s Messiah, conducted by Timothy Brown, and it was a great success. We even got to see spectactular fireworks at the end of it! Zurich rolled into Cardiff, and a concert which I presented for Radio 3 from the Millennium Centre’s Hoddinott Hall, and I was back there a few weeks later to sing live on Radio Wales, in a special day of broadcasting from the hall and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The concert-going continued with a couple of fabulous performances of Vivaldi and Scarlatti, with Nicola Benedetti and the Armonico Consort.
The diary was then full of recordings, as I travelled first to Glasgow to record Patrick Hawes’ intense and moving Lazarus Requiem - which was made CD of the Week by Classic FM when it was released over Easter. We recorded with the Royal National Scottish Orchestra, with the composer himself conducting, and it was a memorable and exciting project. Now here’s hoping that choirs around the country programme it in their concerts! After that I was in the beautiful cathedral of St Alban’s, recording a selection of music for John Rutter’s latest disc, to be released over the Jubilee. It’s a compilation of fabulous music from all the royal weddings, and I can heartily recommend it to all you romantics out there!
Passion tide saw the usual busy season of, well, passions, and I was delighted to sing the Matthew this year - though not a John in sight, which was a shame! From Guildford Cathedral to Brighton’s St Bartholomew’s, I was spoilt with the most beautiful and atmospheric performances of the piece, and they set me up for a wonderful, family- and chocolate-filled Easter.
Most recently, I was lucky enough to perform with my husband (the things some parents do to get time together!) in the Noel Davies Memorial Concert of the Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir. I’m proud as punch to be their Honorary Patron, and it was an absolute joy to sing with them again - along with the choir of Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, MY school! A fabulous evening and full of so many friendly faces.
So now I’m gearing up for a busy May and a round of festivals, recitals and more recordings. Watch this space…
Leave a comment
Latest posts
Summertime…
Well if there isn’t any decent weather and sunshine around at the moment to warm... Read more
Out of action
Just a quick blog to offer my sincere apologies to anyone who had hoped to hear me... Read more
Catching up
Well I’m clearly not the most consistent of bloggers but I have the excuse that life... Read more
I had seen you many times on TV with Harry Christophers and The Sixteen but had not known your name until this week's appearance (what a beautiful voice). I think that your website is quite brilliant, you are a very 'natural' person and I hope that this will never change. You say that you aren't a good blogger but, looking at your diary, I'm amazed that you can find any time at all! Every good wish for your future, Trevor. (originally from Llanwrtyd).