Evelyn Nicholson Soprano - Blog

May 22nd, 2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 01:46:47 -0800

THE PONTNEWYDD MALE CHOIR AND NIDUS CHOIRS RAISE THE ROOF AT CWMBRAN!

Last week the Pontnewydd Male Choir, with their conductor, Walford Hutchings and their accompanistAnnette Williams came to St Hilda of Whitby's Anglican church in Griffithstown to support the Nidus Children's Choir in their attempt to secure some funding. They were superb, singing two groups of music with real Welsh 'hwyl'-a selection of Welsh hymns like 'Tydu y Rhoddaist', 'Ratchie' and 'Calon lan' to the fun 'Kings of Swing', and 'This is the Moment' from 'Jeckyll and Hyde' . This excellent choir were very generous, encouraging the children to carry on singing, especially the boys. It was great for the children seeing the 100% comittment of the male choir and their concentration.

The children too, were in fine form, singing their repertoire-inccluding their new songs for Llangollen, where the Children sang on their own in 'Be joyful' and they were very impressive-especially the 8 year olds! 'Hail Holy Queen' was a popular and well loved finale for the first half . The children made a professional and committed impression and produced some outstanding tone! At one point I introduced some of the original people who had formed the first small choir which won the Abergaveny Eisteddfod and produce some of the most amazing high notes , on which the original choir's reputation was originally based. Hannah Tottle, Elizabeth Pike, Bethany Young,Rhianwen Hallows, Hannah Gunter, Chloe Jones, Lloyd Lewis (as a treble-now a tenor in the Youth Choir).
Many will choose a career in music in their own right as a result of the excellent training and experience in the choir, which is vital for the musicianship of all the singers.
NICK DUNBAR, star of 'Beauty and the Beast' recently in London, who also starred in The Phantom of the Opera in Hamburg, sang 'A little Bit of Earth' from 'The Secret Garden' and thrilled with his moving singing of this song from one of the more contemporary shows on the West End. He managed to show the incredulity of the father of the boy Colin, when he has asked the girl Mary what she would like. Mary had answered a 'little bit of earth' in which to garden.His musings on this point to his dead wife's interest in gardening, and Nick managed to portray the anguish at her remembrance along with his interest in Mary's request, all with sweet but resonant tone.
CHRISTIAN JENKINS, who is the choir's conductor, is a student baritone in the second year of his studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with Adrian Thompson, impressed everyone with his 'Non piu andrai' from 'The Marriage of Figaro', which he sang fluently also with exemplary authority and tone . His mobile face acted all of his enjoyment at the squirming of the poor philandering youth, Cherubino, as he is packed off to war. Both Christian and Nick were applauded enthusiastically by the choir.
Christian , Nick and guest tenor Ian Jenkins joined me for 'La vergine degli Angeli' from Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino', which was very well received. I sang one of my favourite Verdi arias 'Tacea la Notte' from 'Il Trovatore'. I totally enjoyed this (see picture above) as it took me back to college days. I had just finished college, when the Pontnewydd Male Choir gave me one of my first jobs as a soloist with their choir and I sang this aria. It also took me back to when I sang it in Leeds, with the late superb baritone Keith Latham - one of my dearest colleagues at Opera North.Funny how the music has the ability to move you to remember those you sang with. It is a sort of operatic magic for the singer I think.
The Nidus Singers, professionally and sensitively accompanied by PHILIP MAY (Organ) who is studying for a Master's degree in pianoforte at RWCMD) sang 'Libera me Domine' from Faure's 'Requiem' in which the solo was superbly sung by Christian Jenkins, and was followed by 'In Paradisum' in which the sopranos of the Nidus Children's Choir sang the soaring soprano line, which lifted up to the rafters and thrilled the audience as much as the audience at the 'Eglise de la Madeleine' in Paris in October last year. This was extremely lovely singing. The Singers also sang 'Adoro te devote' by Reverend de la Zulieta, Mozart's 'Ave Verum Corpus' as well as 'Laudate Dominum' from the Mozart's 'Vespers' where I sang the solo.The senor choir members also sang 'Panis Angelicus'. All in all it was a magnificent evening with the men and children going off humming with pleasure.

Evelyn Nicholson ,Nidus Choirs, Pontnewydd Male Choir, Christian John Jenkins, Heidi Nicholson, Friends of Nidus Childrens' Choir.

Gloucester Cathedral Concert

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:33:31 -0800

Arriving at my first concert at Gloucester was exciting and was all made very easy. We had a quick rehearsal and warm up in the space and then had a quiet time in the green room before being greeted by Adrian Partington and introduced to the large and appreciative- and dare I say erudite audience,

My nerves were not for my singing, I had a superb accompanist in Derek Harris, absolutely superb, and no worries at all there. Yet it was some time since I had done a full blown recital, and my worry was remembering all the very many words that an hour's recital entails.

I had a long rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon with coach Jeanette Mascocchi and particularly working on the Obradors Song and Britten's 'Fish in the Unruffled Lakes' from Britten's 'On this Island'. Counting was difficult here as the music was so liquid, but I was so pleased it was perfect at the recital.Perhaps the many mistakes I made when learning it put me on my mettle! The giant Chaucer text of the Wife ofBath prologue was also a challenge. The recital went by too quickly-it was enormous enjoyment for us. The music making was fun and it was so wonderful that the erudite audience were so appreciative. One gentleman wanted a Schubert Concert in future, but I think it was quite a good mix! Driving back down to a date in Wales afterwards, I felt happy and content.

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

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:55:25 -0800

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

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:02:54 -0800

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!

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:00:08 -0800

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.

Paris was a Hit! Standing Ovation at the Madeleine

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:36:33 -0800

The concert at the Madeleine was a runaway success, with a large audience who were extremely appreciative with comments and with enthusiasm and many requests to return. The Nidus Children's Choir and Nidus Singers, and conductor / organist Alan Steel arrived in a heavy thunderstorm, which delayed travel. The choir entered and the concert which included not only myself, but Nicholas Dunbar singing the 'Libera Me Domine' from the Faure Requiem, went through Zadok the Priest, Zuleika's Adoro Te and me contribution from Mozart's Vespers 'Laudate Dominum' and the new Christmas Release 'O Holy Night'. Cesar Franck's 'Panis Angelicus' was likewise a great sensation, and elicited a great deal of applause for the eight outstanding trebles and sopranos who were truly voices of angels.
There were many requests for a return visit!!!

Great Night in London at CaAPa's Hundredth Birthday Party Gala!

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:29:03 -0800

Live recording in Hall! Not edited.

A wonderful turnout for the Gala Concert at Westminster Cathedral Hall, in Ambrosden Avenue, Victoria, London! It was such a privilige to be in a concert with so many talented people, and above all to meet two old friends again, David Hoyland, the accompanist, who played fabulously for everyone and the lovely Elizabeth Collier, who sang her aria from Princess Ida 'Minerva' superbly, in glowing and lustrous voice,( if disappointingly lit by wrongly positioned lights) .She was singing better than ever! Just shows that the National Opera Studio produces artists of lasting quality. I was very proud! Pity she didn't sing one more.....

The Ed Begley Quartet, stylish and in excellent jazz style, produced professional jazz at its best, especially in their tender account of the song 'Georgia'. I could have listened to them all evening. Don Maclean had people rolling in the aisles with his stand up comedy, and was superbly succeeded by Jim Bannan and Patrick Lee who each had their individual style and yet produced very funny material. I especially liked the joke about the goldfish!Vocalists, Jimena Larraguivel and New Zealander Gemma Cocker sang “Let It Be” , singing beautifully and dressed enchantingly in white floating style dresses to great applause and Dympna Le Rasle, Jimena, Martin Brown, Lisa Doran, Gemma Prue Gillett, Patrick Lee and Alastair Kelly all joined in a sort of music hall act to provide a rousing end to the evenings proceedings, which raised well over a thousand pounds for Cafod charity!! Wonderful!

I sang 'Vissi d'Arte' from Tosca and the Czardas from 'Fledermaus'. wearing my new sapphire blue evening gown, which is the first new gown I have ordered for a while and it looked lovely under the lights, which had been correctly placed by the time I arrived on stage! Singing in the dark would have been disappointing! I was so pleased to get a tremendous response from the audience and was so happy to be so well received! Every artist needs support from time to time, and this was a lovely evening for this, and so many compliments! Have to make the most of it! The audience were very supportive of all of us!

Very humbling was seeing a slide show of some of the past members of the Catholic Association of Performing Arts. Sir Ralph Richardson, Lionel Jeffries,AlecGuiness, FrankFinlay, LionelJeffriesIan Bannen, Moira Lister, Valerie Masterson, Eamon Andrews, amongst a large distinguished band. I remembered singing at the Memorial Mass for Patricia Hayes at Westminster Cathedral. We also got the tremendous news that Julian Fellowes (ex Ampleforth) has accepted the invitation to become Vice President of the Society and will attend the centenary dinner. He has just won some Emmies and Awards for his series 'Downton Abbey' on TV. Our much loved late Chairman, Michael Williams was also remembered on this evening, and Norman Hoskins paid tribute to him by impersonating Michael in one of his favourite sketches 'The Day the War Broke Out' . Boards had been put up with photos of members, and champagne and refreshments in a long interval, when the jazz was played again. Hope they have a CD! Having crammed my 'big' dress into its bag, it was hard to get out the door. So many people from the opera world there, but finally it was back to the car, with my lovely husband turning up at the stage door to whisk me the 100 miles back to Gloucestershire. Working with David is always such a pleasure, and seeing old friends, not only Liz Collier, but Michael Slater , Robin Marshall, Charlotte Williams, and of course Father Vlad (!) was the icing on the cake! Better still was meeting new friends, who introduced themselves to me!

Publicity Photos and RWCMD

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:52:05 -0800

This weekend was very busy with my son having publicity photos taken. It was probably the hottest day of the year and not a good idea from the point of view of having photos taken because of the problem of perspiration and shiny faces.

Yesterday, I went to visit the Royhal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The Doris Stautzer Concert Hall is a truly wonderful building. The money was generously given by a loving husband in memory of his wife, who had loved the arts. A modern building it boasted superb accoustics, with walls of light wood. A piano tuner was on the stage tuning the piano for a piano recital. It seems that the foyer is also used as a performance space as some students were performing a variety of songs and arias from Operas and music theatre. The foyer also has comfortable sitting spaces, next door to the 'Penguin' Cafe which was next door in an open plan setting. The glass wall on the back was overlooking the river and the lawns and was very pleasant indeed. The Richard Burton Theatre had been opened the previous week and the bust of the actor was on display, given by the Burton family. I was suprised the theatre was rather The Bute theatre was a smaller theatre and there were several studios and rehearsal spaces in addition. the college also has its own course in costume making, which will be very useful indeed. All in all the spaces are very impressive indeed.

The Plot Thickens-Meeting with a Marketing expert

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:41:20 -0800

Today I had a meeting with Jo and a Marketing Manager from Cheltenham who came to Malvern for the meeting. We discussed the sorts of venues to be chosen for the Galas and for the performances of the Don next year. Difficulties of help with funding were discussed , especially for new groups and we realised the galas would have to fund the hire of the theatres in the local opera, The name of the company was discussed and also the fact that we felt we wanted to encourage the producer not to do it in modern dress, into which every production seems to fall now. We examined a 1760 style of dress which we were going to hand on. All in all, I will be glad to go back to singing and leave all this to others!!

Observations on Dame Joan's 'Norma' and the thrilling finale of the Cardiff Singer of the World!

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:13:35 -0800

Preparations are endless. How would Don Giovanni be presented ? How will it look? Modern dress has been done to death, hope it will be something eighteenth century and 'Commedia del Arte'. Should be great if it is. Remember Venice with enormous fondness! Such a great experience watching the masqueraders sailing up and down past the Rialto and first memories of my son Christian singing the Allegri Miserere treble solo in a major Italian church. SS Redentore. The Carnival season -would be so great if it could be like that. Colours, red, gold, green and vibrant Italian colours..
Then there are publicity photos to collect in and CV's which marketing people want.   And learning it in English, as I only know it in Italian at present.

Ordered the DVD of Joan Sutherland singing Norma, and was so sorry not to have a video of Callas. Vocally, what an amazing voice Joan had. My DVD showing a performance at the Sydney Opera House showed the Joan's immense stature and command of vocal technique , especially like Callas, flawless chromatic scales for the voice throughout. I practise this myself and achieving this is a huge amount of hard work. I am singing the duet ' Mi chiami O Norma' with Josephine Williamson at a gala, and was amazed (from the DVD) how dramatic production has changed since those days. On the plus side they did not have to sing upside down or climbing down a rope! Comes to something when people book you for your gymnastic ability. I think Callas would have given anyone suggesting that short shrift.-but then she was from an era when opera was about great voices.

Cardiff Singer of the world sported absolute stars from all over Europe and I was impressed by the  competition at St David's Hall, soprano Meeta Raval from England, mezzo-soprano Olesysa Petrova from Russia, soprano Hye Jung Lee from South Korea, baritone Andrei Bondarenko from Ukraine and soprano Valentina Naforniţă from Moldova. My favourites were Valentina and Andrei who were dazzling and brilliant technically as well as performance wise. The winner was Valentina Naforniţă, who also won the Audience Prize and Andrei who won the Song Prize, but frankly all the finalists were amazing young professionals. Bravi Tutti!!!! Bravi.