My Musical Review Of 2015 – Part 1

Before the end of January I thought I’d write a musical review of 2015, If you want to read a little more from each post click on each of the pictures.

I started the year with an exciting announcement that I’d entered an open audition to play the role of ‘Eve’ in Jonathan Dove’s opera ‘The Walk from the Garden’  with Scottish Opera Connect to be performed in April 2015. I was so happy when I was told that I had been cast in the role of Eve, It was such a brilliant experience and enhanced my love for performing opera.

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The Walk From The Garden
 
I released an album of my music at the end of 2014 of the songs I learnt in my first two years at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and posted some of my research into each song which you can recap by clicking on the cd cover if you missed them.

Canzoni-DAmore
Canzoni D’Amore

For my January 2015 exam I’d learnt four American Folk Songs by Aaron Copland  later I recorded them for you to listen to and then added them to the bottom of the post. They are full of life and energy which is why I really enjoy singing them.  If you click on the picture it takes you to the post about Aaron Copland and the link to my SoundCloud page.

Aaron-Copeland-Blog
Aaron Copland – American Folk Songs

I was training for my role of Eve with the International soprano and teacher Judith Howarth and she agreed to an interview for my blog. Judy is my vocal tutor for my fourth year and I’m learning some very technically challenging pieces at the moment in a new style which I’ll tell you more about when I can do them justice. I am thrilled by the challenge and I’m looking forward to preparing them for performance.

Judith-Howarth-Header-Blog
Judith Howarth

In March I sang the American folk songs in the judging interval of the Bruce Millar Gulliver Singing Prize along with ‘Rossini’s Cat Duet’ with Jessica Hurst, we went on to perform this in ‘The Christmas Cracker’ at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in December.  I was asked to stand in at short notice for the RCS Opera production in February and the 4th March was opening night of ‘Dido and Aeneas’ I was the First Witch, great fun. As a member of Les Sirenes Female Chamber Choir we recorded a new cd.

RCS 01
Dido And Aeneas

April was fabulous I sang in the RCS Chamber Choir at St.Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow and the following day was opening night of ‘The Walk from the Garden’.  I met Pascal Barnier the photographic artist who creates my fabulous banners and cd cover.

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Glen Cunningham And Me After The Final Performance Of The Walk From The Garden

In May 2015 I was part of the ensemble in the RCS Opera ‘Sir John in Love’  we had great fun check out the photos.  As a member of Les Sirenes we performed Mendelssohns’ Midsummer Nights Dream with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, a 5⭐️ review from The Herald for both productions.

Sir-John-In-Love
Sir John In Love

I was invited to sing at a magnificent fund raising event for The Greater Manchester Chief Constables Ball  see photos from the evening.

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The Greater Manchester Chief Constables Ball 2015

Then to round off an exciting month George Todica and I auditioned and gained a place in the Grieg International masterclass in Bergen, Norway:

Bergen-Day 1
Just Arrived In Bergen – Day 1
Bergen Day 2
Welcome To The Grieg Academy – Day 2
Bergen Day 3
So Inspiring To Be Here – Day 3
Bergen day 4
Enjoying My Time In Bergen – Day 4
Bergen Final Day
Final Concert In Bergen – Last Day
 

In June I spent an enjoyable week training at The Fife Youth Arts Hub on its pilot project

Hub8Opera
The Fife Youth Arts Hub

and at the end of the month I was La Zia and understudy for Kate in Madama Butterfly at Bowdon Festival Opera in Cheshire.

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Jayne Wilson And Me Following The Performance of Madama Butterfly

I’ll put the second half of my ‘2015 Music Review’ post on Wednesday, and hopefully I’ll finish my ‘Cosi Fan Tutti’ review from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s opera production that I went to see last night ready for next weekend, if you’re near Glasgow I’d recommend you watch the production, there are shows Monday 18th, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd January.

I have a busy week ahead, a ballet exam tomorrow eek (it’s been a long time since I’ve done one of those), an audition, rehearsals, preparation for my exams, and I’m also singing for pianist and friend Alex Standing’s exams.

63 thoughts on “My Musical Review Of 2015 – Part 1”

    1. Hi Dianne, The summer classes in Italy were in July last year, so I’ll put them in my next post on Wednesday.
      Often I don’t get invited into performances and productions and miss out in auditions but it’s just good to remember that even if the diary is empty you just have to keep going to make opportunities happen for yourself.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

      1. I just read your first post ever. You’ve come a long way. Your commitment to hard work has taken you very far and will continue to take you to places you never knew were possible. Take care. Look forward to your adventures in 2016.

  3. A lovely reminder of your year. Your continuing enthusiasm for and delight in your art is always delightful. May 2016 be even more fulfilling for you.

    Reply

    1. I can’t thank you enough Martin for your constant encouragement, I know these sort of posts can be a bit ‘same old’for friends that have been reading along each week but it’s a nice recap for people new to my blog, hope you don’t mind.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thanks John, I wanted to put all my main musical adventures from last year in one post, but it was getting a bit too long when I added in the photo links, I’m glad you liked it 😊.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  6. Wouaw, congratulation, nice to remeber all this great things you have realise last year !!! Fingers cross and the best for you for this week full with new challenges ! You are a great singer and a fabulous young wooman ! Very proud of you Charlotte !!

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  7. Thank you for sharing your musical journey of 2015. I am saving the link so I can read it in depth and listen to your beautiful voice, which matches your beautiful face. I think you have a great future.

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  8. Sounds like everything is going very well ! I’m very impressed also by your command of technology and regular interesting blogging and posting of recordings! So what are your plans for next year?

    All the best
    Tim x

    Reply

    1. Thanks Tim, it took me a while to get into the discipline, I started blogging nearly three years ago now. It’s lovely to hear from you. I’ve not got too much planned for this year so far, I have a concert booked with George Todica in Reading, Berkshire in March and a recital with Russell Lomas in Chester. If you hear of anything let me know 😊.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  9. An excellent set of accomplishments last Year. You continue to grow and evolve the depth and breath of you skills. I look forward to the next 6 months with anticipation. PS: Great blog 🙂

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  13. Thank-you so much for the re-cap (my goodness, it can’t be seven months since you went to Norway!) – I’m looking forward to the next 6 months. Good luck in the ballet exam tomorrow and in all the work you have to do in the coming weeks.

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      1. I am sure you did well, Charlotte. I know from reading your posts that you work very hard at whatever you decide to do and always do your best.

  15. and if you let life combine in time with the seeds of years before sewn, you’ll have your luck in 2016 of converting me to opera lovin’ yet 😀 however, you look like you’ve had a charming fifteen 🙂 toastadas… all natural and even organic possible 😀 we’ll see if you’ve another love to remember of them this year… the year of the toastada… even if it’s the chinese with the animals as times not the mexicans 😀

    Reply

      1. http://groceries.asda.com/shelf/cooking-sauces/mexican/910000976465/1/so-false you’ll see I want zero excuses as in i can get within a country of you on whats available 😉 old el paso… you use enchilada sauce atop refried beans for a lil zing before you top with other matter mostly for my world this is shaved lettuce cheases perhaps sour cream and a tomoto bit. I warn you of the squeezey tube guac not that it’s “bad’ but come one whereever possible fresh can deligh and an avacado while stiff and dear is nice whomped into guacamole with your choice sour cream for a more american traditional or salsa which is become more desired.. do not forget hueraches food as a search as they are similar and also fun but here’s one more picture link http://www.gianteagle.com/PageFiles/70679/tostadas.jpg the cod toastada. the fish one happens to do nicely with a small glass of wine should you get lucky in conning a local pub to ake you some… fried corn tortilla flat… you see they don’t cooperate and stay flat, a bit of cooked fish perhaps with a light spice and a flirtation with a garden… simple stuff and delightful. I mean red wine with fish to.. a strapping pinot noir… 😉 or whatever you’d like

  16. You are such an amazing individual. Your passion and determination shines through! I know your parents must be so proud of you! I certainly am and so thrilled to be able to follow you! Be well dear and the very best to you for 2016! Hugs!

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  17. There is so much excitement here. What a grand time you are having and I look forward to 2016 and your remarkable adventures! I am also looking forward to many more postings of your beautiful singing. Brava!

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  22. First, “The Walk From the Garden” is such a powerful performance and the songs are incredibly haunting. What a chance for you to play Eve in this! Second, good luck on your exams!

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  23. Congrats on having such a full year of accomplishments and fun doing what you love to do! Love the photos. (Note: American flag should be flipped with stars to the left.)

    My this year continue to be one filled with fabulous opportunities and accomplishments! Xo

    Reply

  25. Goodness, Charlotte, when do you sleep? With this CV I expect to see you at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion any minute. Or the Met or La Scala! Fabulous. And you earned all of it!! xo

    Reply
  27. Pingback: My Musical Review Of 2015 – Part 2 « Charlotte Hoather

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