An Exhausting Pre-Christmas-then 'Inspiration' Evelyn Nicholson

12/30/2011

 
What can I say? You can enjoy yourself and yet exhaust yourself at the same time as many singers had found. Promoting the Nidus Childrens' Choir CD actually forced me to cancel and important rehearsal and that was very hard to do. Yet it was exhilirating to work in the Cardiff Millennium Centre singing 'O Holy Night' which was very successful and brought enthusisatic applause. Since I left WNO for work abroad, they have moved here and it has become their permanent home, with wonderful facilitites, far better than those at John Street and the New Theatre. This followed more concerts in North Monmouthshire for 'Help The Heroes', where I sang an Old favourite 'MY HERO' from The Chocolate Soldier by Oskar Strauss, which itself, I understand was an opera made from George Bernard Shaw's 'Arms and the Man'.This was followed by an appearance at the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran, which I was thrilled to discover had repaired their relay to the dressing rooms. This was great because it made it less of an interesting experiment in people coming up, banging on the door and saying 'You're on!' and arriving there at a rate of knots!
Following this performance was a whirlwind flight to Germany for four days and then a return for Christmas at home. My sister had arrived from France with her family, and my husband, son and myself were able to relax afterwards. The hardest thing in all the furore before Christmas were the ups and downs, and trying to finish teaching committments, the many extra promotional events and WEDDING work!
Also UPLOADED my new album 'Inspiration' for sale on iTunes and CD Baby. It is just called 'Inspiration'  Evelyn Nicholson  but contains much of the music I sing at Weddings, excluding 'O Perfect Love' because it needs more work. I was also pleased  (see my website,) to see  O Holy Night had been uploaded by the fabulous RICHARDSON FILMS to You Tube, to promote the track, which I have been allowed to add to 'Inspiration' as well. 
Getting back to work and going for coaching imminently on work for my recital on 16 January and a lot of memorising to do and also to do the galas!
 

St Woolos Cathedral,Newport and Joy and Sadness and a Triumph

12/07/2011

 
On the 1st December, I sang in the Tenovus concert at St Woolos Cathedral, Newport. The College were still in mourning over the death of Jeremy Winston, who was a Canon and tthe former vicar of Abergavenny. His sudden death, meant that his overseeing of the new lighting for the Cathedral was delayed and the concert had to be held under emergency lights. Sad that the cathedral was full of electricians when we arrivved and that the Lovelight candles when lit, made so little impression as the lights could not be dimmed.
Nevertheless the concert itself took place in the impressive surroundings and The City of Newport Male choir began conducted by Frank Jones, in some popular Welsh hymns, which went down well with the audience. The Mayor of Torfaen was there, but actually, considering the forces giving the concert, the cathedral was not full, which was a shame.

The Nidus Childrens Choir were next with a lively and spirited Hail Holy Queen, and The Rose, which was very moving. They finished with Rutter's ever popular 'Star Carol', their true voices echoing around the cathedral. The Charity then talked about remembering loved ones who had died of cancer and the Lovelight Candles were lit, with  the choir singing 'Silent Night' and a wonderful contribution from Elizabeth Pike, who sang the solo in Balulalow by Britten. Several stunning voices joined her, Hannah Tottle, Bethany Young, Hannah Gunter,Megan Thomas, Aine Smith, Rhianwen Hallows and Catrin Williams.  The result was magnificently pure and in tune.

The baritone Christian Jenkins sang next. He is a talented second year student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He sang ' The Three Kings' by Peter Cornelius i(from the 'Weihnachtslieder'.) His rich and clear legato line, and musical phrasing were very evident, as well as a charismatic presence.

The City of Newport then sang some seasonal carols, especially the Huron Carol, a favourite of mine,  with excellent tone, which delighted the audience and then followed 'Music of the Night' sung by Nicholas Dunbar, star of the West End and Hamburg. His singing brought shivers to the spine and certainly showed his excellent baritone voice and vibrations, bringing forth a superb falsetto top Ab. The audience were absolutely stunned at hearing such a musical performance, with a lovely legato and phrasing.

The Nidus Choir followed with Still Still Still, the Austrian Carol, Silver Bells, with solos by Wil Smith, Morgan Thomas and Dan Williams, and a very livvely Winter Wonderland. The harmony was beautiful.

I then sang, the Hungarian Czardas from the Fledermaus, 'Klange der Heimat'  a lively, entertaining and difficult piece which has been something of a 'party piece' for me. Following this, I was joined by Ian Jenkins ,( Tenor), Nick Dunbar ,( Baritone) and Christian Jenkins (Baritone) in a performance of 'La Vergine degli Angeli' from Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino' which the audience seemed to really enjoy. This was followed by O Holy Night by Adophe Adam, again, well received and after that, the choirs and soloists all joined together for White Christmas.

The performers were all very glad to have a standing ovation at the end, similar to that enjoyed at the Madeleine Church in Paris! It was a lovely evening and I have already been approached for next year. Whew! I had bought a big box of sweeties which were given out to all the children. It seemed many people kindly bought the CD as well. It turned out to be a great evening!




 

CHRISTMAS IN WALES CD AND VIDEO IS LAUNCHED!

12/03/2011

 
Many of you will know of my support and encouragement to the Nidus Children's Choir, who are hoping to visit the World Choir Games next year and have produced a wonderful CD of Christmas Music of an inspirational kind to help to raise money for their visit.
Particularly lovely is 'Silent Night' in simple harmony but their are many more treats- Bryn Terfyl's moving 'Away in a Manger ' in Welsh. Then there are star singers from the choir singing a handful of solos, the beautiful Austrian 'Still Still Still' and a few secular songs at the end, 'Silver Bells' and 'Winter Wonderland'.
I added a recording of Adophe Adam's wonderful, great hymn for Christmas Eve:O Holy Night.which finishes the album. The choir need to sell 300 to make their money back. If you are reading this, could you buy, just one and visit the website http://niduschildrenschoir.co.uk. You can buy one there and speedily receive one next day.They cost only £10 . This is truly the most Christmassy CD you could receive this Christmas! Details of the tracks and a video are on the video page!

The last weeks have been a blur. So many concerts in a short space have left me tired but exhilerated from Help the Heros, to Newport Cathedral, Millennium stadium and preparing for more next year.Still it is a Wonderful Life and wonderful to be a singer.

 
All details of how to reach Evelyn Nicholson can be found on contacts. Professional companies wishing to book can do so through an agent I will mention when you contact me. I have loose connections to two agents as well as Catherine Francoise.