Last night at the gala fundraising evening hosted by Bowdon Festival Opera I had a fabulous time catching up with friends, spending time with my family and performing alongside a group of singers brought together for the event from around the UK and Ireland.
To open the evening’s performance, I was accompanied by the festival chorus and performed two of Gretel’s arias from Englebert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel”: Ein Männlein steht im Walde and Abendsegen (Evening Prayer).
It was great fun to perform these arias again especially with the chorus providing an English translation of ‘The Evening Prayer’. In a packed program I also enjoyed performing in the second half of the evening along with vocalists singing excerpts from Dido and Aeneas; Macbeth; Don Giovanni and many more.
The evening was a great success and I am so pleased that I could play a part in it. It’s so expensive to put on an opera production that without the support provided by these fundraisers it would be impossible to do, so I must pass on a big thank you to everyone that came along and especially to all the people who organised the evening. As Jayne explained during her final speech, many festivals and music groups don’t get the financial support from Lottery funds or Art Grants so it was great to see the local community support the event, it was also wonderful to see so many new students participating in the evening and the progress they are making.
Today after a few hours with my Mum and Dad I have the long drive back up to Glasgow, so I can only manage a short post tonight. Thank goodness the clocks went back last night and I gained an extra hour.
That’s quite a heavy programme you undertook. I’m sure you helped raise plenty of support for the opera festival… and one day it will be your turn in the festival.
The scenes were shared between all the performers I sang four solos so it wasn’t too bad at all, it was a big team that volunteered their time which was brilliant.
I have been offered the role of Zerlina next March, Jayne and the festival committee are planning to put on Don Giovanni, with English recit and Italian arias, have you ever seen that format before?
Best wishes
Charlotte
I remember about Zerlina now. That’s brilliant, you are on your way! I’ve not seen that combination before, but it makes sense if there are no surtitles. At least the audience will get the details of the story and they will probably know the arias. I’d be interested to know how well it works, Have they done this before?
Madama Butterfly was done fully in Italian, and they did Tosca the year before, I think this is the first mixed language program, I always learn the English translation but I’ve never sung a mixed scene until last night when I was asked to sing the prayer in English with the chorus. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks Charlotte for this very nice share – Very happy you have great time with a nice performing and with familly and friend. Take care of you and have a fabulous week. All the best for you !
Thank you Pascal it was a great reason to go home for a visit but it’s a tiring drive.
Best wishes
Charlotte
With my project in London, I will try to learn to drive on the left side of the road with a french car 🙂 …..
It’s hard driving in London without being on the wrong side of the car, if I were you I’d park on the outskirts and use the tube 😊. Good luck with your London project bonne chance.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks a lot Charlotte – I agree, I will use my car to travel in UK, but not drive in London 🙂 – Best Wishes !
Great job, Charlotte! Also. you are looking fabulously! 🙂
Thank you Fabio 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It is great that you had good time and at the same time had good experience along too. Nice!
It’s a nice opportunity to perform in the middle of a busy term. I hope you’re well 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like the Gala was a huge success. Keep up the great work Charlotte. So glad that your parents were there to see and hear your performances.
Safe travels back to Glasgow.
Thank you I’m back now safe and sound 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This sounds like a wonderful Gala – congratulations to you and all the others who took part. You seem to be doing a lot of travelling!
Best wishes, Clare xx
Thanks Clare, I am travelling lots but that’s a singers life, I’ve been reading lots by Renee Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja and they all do a fair bit of travelling.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes, you are right. Take care on your travels, Clare x
Sounds great. Ein Männlein steht im Walde was one of the first songs we learned in German class at school.
I wish we’d learnt lovely arias in language classes, cool idea. I’ve noticed the early music teaching in State schools in Scotland is excellent.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congrats on a successful night. You look lovely. Xo
Thank you Janice, I love an excuse to dress up 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
As always, you look mahvelous, simply mahvelous.
Thank you Don 🙂 that’s mahvelous.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Safe travels.
Thank you I miss my Dad with his chauffeuring duties, I always fall asleep on long journeys when I’m a passenger. It took me about four and a half hours which gets a bit boring half way in 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m so pleased for you! Wish I could have been there because I know it was spectacular!
Aww thanks Elizabeth, it’s a shame I’m so far away I’ve got a lovely concert planned at the end of November in Edinburgh, I’m also going to try to get some new videos to post.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The videos sound delightful! If I reach my dreams of being a journalist with the bbc I can perhaps see you live one day 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance on Saturday, especially yours Charlotte, it was a fabulous evening thank you 😘. I’m hoping to be able to watch next years opera and looking forward to it. Xx
Thanks to you and Terry for coming Gill it was lovely to see you both 🙂
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations you still look greeat you dont change one bit good luck for the future xxxxx0
Thanks Barbara 🙂 lovely to hear from you I hope you’re well.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like a wonderful evening – and you look fab in that picture 🙂
Thank you Thomas 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
Thank you for the reblog 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re welcome 🙂
Well done, Charlotte! Looks great!
XX from NZ!
L
Thank you Lizzi, lovely to hear from you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Certainly a lot of hard work and stress performing such a full programme in the middle of term – then a long drive back to Glasgow, but you are doing well and I think you looked lovely.
Thank you John, I don’t get too stressed by performances it’s what I love to do. I do prefer to travel by train where times fit on long journeys then I can work, or if the wifi is working catch up with my blog 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like a lovely night. Beautiful picture of you
Thank you Tosha 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re welcome. 🙂
What a wonderful opportunity, Charlotte. You look so elegant. 🙂
BTW, how may I contact you by email?
Thanks Nadine you can E-mail me:
enquiries@charlotte-Hoather.com 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte!
Another magical night!Fantastic aries to open the performance!Hope you had a safe trip back to Glasgow!Enjoy your weekend,dear friend Charlotte 🙂 xxx
PS:Will you celebrate Halloween?If yes,have fun with your friends!
Thanks Doda I went to a house party at Halloween with my friends ☺️ it was fun. Hope you’re well.
Best wishes
Charlotte
We have to find a way to popularise Opera to the point that these fundraisers aren’t necessary. Seems like CD sales or some other form of streaming music could be employed to drum up a bigger and bigger audience. Meanwhile, you are fortunate to have been part of this delightful event. So glad you spent time with your family. By the way, I LOVE that dress and you look gorgeous in it!
I agree Beth, I streamed my cd and I’ve been pleased to share my music that way my cousin told my grandad my name popped up on her Spotify so that was cool. It is a lovely dress and it’s great getting looked after when I go home.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I think the energy given to any fundraiser is returned hundred folds, and I think how someone could not listen to your voice and see you in in your dress and not give for such a valuable artistic cause 🙂
I agree Randall it can’t just be all about money. When I see friends struggling to get sufficient sponsorships to continue their courses and live on it sort of brings it home how much the arts world is changing.
Best wishes
Charlotte