About this Event
For the performance of operatic arias, we are delighted to present lead singers English lyric tenor, Jack Dolan and renowned Italian soprano Francesca Matta.
They will be joined by guest soprano Victoria Armilotta. The singers will be ably accompanied by collaborative pianist Caroline Jaya-Ratnam (a regular performer at the BBC Proms). In addition, we have two brilliant musicians Weng Soon Tee, solo concert pianist, and Claire Hamer, flautist and saxophonist - who will perform thrilling and delightful classical music. It will be our first concert at the charming St. Katherine Cree, which boasts excellent acoustics, and where we can enjoy the beautiful sound of their Kawai grand piano.
We thus have a multi-national cast of hugely talented artistes who will bring musical gold into our Italian Summer Soirée! Concert-goers will also be able to savour some fine Italian wines, starting off with a Welcome Italian bubbly on arrival (hopefull served outdoors, weather permitting). The ticket includes a second glass of wine served during the Intermission. (Soft drinks and snacks will be provided as well). And for concert-goers who wish to continue the Summer's evening with dinner, we plan to arrange a special dinner option with a local restaurant (to be confirmed).
"It is going to be bellissimo!"
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UPDATES
Wed 17th JUL 2024 Launch of ticket sales!
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SONG PROGRAMME
Our audience can expect a world-class, top quality extravaganza of music - to include popular operatic arias (solos and duets) from Italian and other operas, classical songs, and some fantastic classical piano playing!
In keeping with our 'Italian' theme, we plan to have a preponderance of Puccini and the "Italianate" operatic repertoire!
An idea of songs planned for the programme include*:
- arias - solos and duets - from Puccini's La Bohème
- Nacqui all’affanno from Cenerentola by Rossini
- arias by Donizetti
- arias by Bellini
- arias from Puccini operas - Turandot, Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly
- Mozart's operas (in Italian)
. .. and much more!
* exact arias, final music programme subject to confirmation
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"An Italian Summer Soirée in the City" - EVENT TIMETABLE
17:15 Doors open for Welcome glass of sparkling wine (or soft drink)
18:30 Introduction
18:40 Concert Begins (approx. time) - first half of operatic arias
19:20 Intermission for refreshments, including glass of quality Italian wine (or fruit juice)
19:45 Second half of concert of operatic arias
20:30 (approx. time) End of concert
20:45 Close
NB Times are approximate, and we aim to finish by 20:30
From 20:30 - Optional Dinner at local restaurant [Details later]
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Our ITALIAN Wines at the concert :
[Details to follow]
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Artistes' Bios
Italian soprano Francesca Matta graduated in opera singing at the Conservatorio di Musica G.P.L. da Palestrina and continued her vocal studies with renowned international artists such as Giusy Devinu and Bernadette Manca di Nissa. Over the years she performed, both in Italy and UK, roles such as Tosca; Cio Cio San, Madama Butterfly; Gilda, Rigoletto; Mimí, La Bohème; Elisabetta, Maria Stuarda; Contessa, Le Nozze di Figaro; Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni; Fiordiligi, Così fan Tutte. In Summer 2021, Francesca made her debut as Violetta in La Traviata with Regents Opera. She sang in Regents Opera's production of Carmen in 2022. Most recently, she performed the role of Despina in .
Manchester-born is a graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, having studied with Maureen Brathwaite, Sarah Pring and Adrian Thompson. At Guildhall, Jack was a John S Cohen Foundation Scholar and a Baroness de Turkenheim Scholar, supported by the Drapers' Company. Jack has performed many tenor operatic roles with several opera companies in the UK, and has an impressive repertoire of tenor arias, classical songs and songs from musicals.
Born and raised in Tuscany, is a British-Italian soprano currently based in London where she recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music (MA Distinction) with Nuccia Focile. She is also a First-Class graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music (BMus Hons).
Victoria recently performed the roles of Giorgetta in Puccini’s “Il tabarro” with Opera Cameratina, Dorset directed by Sir John Tomlinson and Susanna Stranders (ROH). This Autumn she will cover the role of Tatyana in Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with Hampstead Garden Opera. Internationally, Victoria performed Susanna in Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro” with Berlin Opera Academy, and sang in the chorus of “Roméo et Juliette” and “Die Zauberflöte” with Savonlinna Opera Festival in Olavinlinna Castle, Finland.
Claire Hamer is a music scholar of The Brentwood School. She has toured Europe playing the flute and piccolo with various orchestras and Big Bands. As well as being an events musician, Claire is a peripatetic piano, flute and saxophone tutor, developing music within primary schools for over twenty years. Claire specialises in wedding music and enjoys the wide range of genres this allows her to perform.
Following her Masters degree in Music (Cambridge University), accomplished concert pianist, accompanist, violinist and singer Caroline Jaya-Ratnam was appointed Junior Fellow at the Royal College of Music. She has appeared on TV accompanying world renowned opera singers including tenor, Rolando Villazon, baritone Bryn Terfel and soprano Danielle de Niese. She has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in numerous Proms as part of the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Weng Soon Tee is a Malaysian-born pianist, who studied at the Guildhall School of Music under the tutelage of Carole Presland. Weng is a versatile pianist - regularly performing as a chamber musician, orchestral pianist, song accompanist as well as a solo concert pianist. His has performed Debussy songs in the Barbican Hall, chamber music recitals at the Torroella Fringe Festival and at the Esplanade in Singapore, attending the prestigious IMS Prussia Cove course working with Thomas Adès and Gidon Kremer, and performing as a soloist with the Southern Sinfonia under the baton of Simon Chalk. As winner of the Watford International Piano Competition and the Else Cross Contemporary Prize, Weng was praised by the judges for 'representing the music in such a sincere and understated way' and for being 'a pianist of exceptional imagination'.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Guild Church of St Katharine Cree, 86 Leadenhall Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 29.42 to GBP 42.69