English Touring Opera return to Buxton on March 23 to play in one of the most intimate venues on their circuit: a sitting room on Lismore Road.
Three singers and a pianist from the prestigious company will perform as part of the Friends of Buxton Festival’s campaign to bring beautiful music to interesting places.
Friends’ supporters Pat and Philip Holland host an ETO concert every year in their home, Moorcroft House, bringing music of a standard normally only found in some of the best-known theatres and opera houses to a relaxed and informal setting.
“It’s a friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy music and the excellent level of singing that English Touring gives us every year,” said Friends Events Organiser Joan Matthews.
The programme includes songs ranging from items from La Boheme and The Magic Flute to Bess, you is my woman now from Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess.
The singers are Tanya Hurst, Soprano, winner of the Czech Song Prize, the Emmy Destinn Young Singer’s Award and the Claire Croiza Prize for French Song; tenor David Lynn, Northern Ireland Opera Young Artist 2015/16; and bass Ed Hawkins, who has played and recorded with orchestras and small ensembles across the UK.
They will be accompanied by pianist Hannah Quinn, a conductor who as a music student was awarded the Leonard Hancock Memorial Prize and the James H Geddes repetiteur prize. Hannah is an alumnus of the National Opera Studio.
The concert from 11.30am to 1.30pm on March 23 costs £40, including a home-cooked lunch.
For more details and to book, go to buxtonfestival.co.uk/BIF-friends-events