It has been fabulous this week to perform in three separate events which were the culmination of several weeks of hard work and preparation.
On Wednesday afternoon I sang and gave a tribute to Gary Waller’s memorial service at St Stephen’s Church, Westminster, it was a beautiful and touching ceremony. As a friend of Gary it was lovely to see so many lovely people gather to remember and speak fondly about his lifelong achievements, passion for music and support for his colleagues in politics. It was also a pleasure to perform alongside the talented pianist Waka Hasegawa, and I hope that we find the opportunity to work together again in the future.
After meeting some of Gary’s family and sharing memories with them, I then traveled to the Lancaster Hall Hotel in order to prepare for the evening concert. Soon after I arrived, I had a rehearsal with Dr. Leslie Howard, he is the very talented and renowned pianist who specialises in music composed by Franz Liszt and I believe is the only pianist to have recorded all of Franz Liszt’s music for solo piano, which in itself is a huge achievement. The event began at 6:30pm and it was so lovely to perform alongside the talented Michelle Alexander, Andrew Yiangou, Dr. Leslie Howard, Simon Wallfisch, and Nigel Foster. We each represented a different music society, Wagner, Alkan, Mahler, Liszt, and Schubert. I represented the Gustav Mahler Society and really enjoyed telling the stories within the poetry and making music with Dr. Howard. The songs are truly beautiful and delicate and it was a great challenge to work on them. I look forward to performing them again. After the performance, we were invited to join the societies members for a meal and relax in each other’s company. At the end of the recital, we were presented with a gift of London Honey, which is a tradition of the event and one that I appreciated as locally sourced honey is a boon to a singer.


A few days later, I presented my opera scene along with my accomplished colleagues at the Royal College of Music. On Friday we had a technical rehearsal at 10:00 am, which involves plotting the lights, practicing the scene in Costume and using any props/scenery. It was very useful especially because my costume isn’t usual daily attire, I had to practice moving, kneeling and hearing with my full habit on. It was very interesting and added another layer to the drama. At 14:15 we had a dress rehearsal in front of a few friends and teachers. Then we opened to the audience at 17:30. I performed alongside Glen Cunningham, who some of you may recognise from previous projects I have done with Scottish Opera Education. It was wonderful to work together again and build on our relationship on stage. It was also a great opportunity to be on stage with Davidona Pittock who I went to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with, she was Mother Marie.

Photo credit of Stage scene provided by Laura Pearse who also designed and selected the costumes for this year’s scenes, thanks, Laura.

What a week indeed. Congratulations.
Thank you and now 😴zzz
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a grand time you are having. So much to do and your energy seems to be at an all time high! <3
Actually 🤒😷 cough cough been in bed most of the weekend, this cold doing the rounds has caught up with me 😴 made Janice Spina’s chicken soup this afternoon without the boiled eggs because I just didn’t feel like going shopping!
All my best
Charlotte 🤭😀
ah, I shall send healing energy your way..
i can only imagine what fun and satisfaction you are getting from this delightful endeavor!
I just love performing, the scene had a real profound effect on me though but I think it was because I was just starting to catch this cold bug that’s going around.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Oh, I’m sorry , I hope you are getting much better. The flu is definitely an epidemic this winter! Best Wishes, Holly
I’m avoiding thinking it’s flu, mind over body 😀
Good for you…I hope not!
Awesome ! <3
One of my favourite words Ralph 😀.
All my best wishes
Charlotte 💕
I am sorry that one of the events was because of the loss of your friend, but it is a great way to remember him. A week to remember indeed!
Me too, I missed Gary being at my opera scene this time too 😕. His service was a really lovely tribute though, very moving.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely, Charlotte.
Thanks John
All my best wishes
Charlotte
🙂
Charlotte, you have been one very busy lady. Wonderful work! What will you be working on next? No Flu bug, please. It has hit very hard around here. Stay well!!!
Women in Music presentation and new song to learn but the scores been misplaced so I’ve got to sort that out. I need a quick remedy for a cough 🙄😷.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Honey and lemon?
Cepacol Maximum Strength Throat and Cough
You look amazing in the opera – the photo of you and Glen performing together is especially vivid. Alas that we cannot hear you through the photos!
Get well soon!
Thanks Deborah, it’s always nice to have someone take a photograph to share.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Well done you! But be careful of that ‘cold’: I’m still shaking mine off from before Xmas.
My Dads the same, I haven’t ventured out since yesterday morning, drinking chicken soup, and hoping the Ibuprofen works.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your joy flowed from this post. I am so happy you enjoyed a varied and full week. x
Thank you, Christine, I thought of you yesterday when I read an article about people in Russia (I think it was) that swim in freezing cold lakes! Definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I follow wild swimmers who break ice to go swimming. I’m no so acclimatised for that! x
Charlotte, what a busy week you have had, I’m pleased you have enjoyed it.
I hope your feeling better soon.xx
Happy days! Alex brought me some food around today – lifesaver! Catching up on all my paperwork and studies.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
It sounds so busy, and I love seeing the radiant photos of you and others–that usually means great performances! Thanks for the reminder to me as a stage manager about the HEARING aspect of costumes and props in any show involving singing especially–I’m glad it all went so well, and I hope you drink tons of water and feel well ASAP.
I tried to borrow the head veil for rehearsals but the lovely costume lady couldn’t let any of the costumes out before final rehearsal so she suggested using a headscarf to practice in. Luckily for me, Pascal Barnier had made me a snood and scarf which did the trick, I was the most colourful nun ever in rehearsals!
Lots of water, herbal tea, honey and lemon drinks, everything I can think of hehe. Chewing liquorice root, you name it if someone suggests a cure for me I’m trying it. I even chewed a garlic clove! I don’t think I’ll be repeating that one.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am glad you got to practice in something similar enough to give you feel in your body as you rehearsed. Apple cider vinegar and honey, although that is more for preventing reflux and throat damage…? There are many things and I am sure your crowd knows everything likely to help–best wishes.
Congratulations, Charlotte. It’s lovely to see you so happy and passionate about your career. Bless you. 💙💛💜
Thank you for your blessings. Apparently, I was told the light was shining in through the window putting me in the spotlight whilst singing during the memorial I’d like to think that was Gary lighting up the stage for me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So sad about Gary but I believe you did him proud. You look as though you really enjoyed your opera scene, I managed to see you rehearsal and it moved me to tears and I don’t cry easily as you know! Well done 😘 look after yourself and rest to help get over your cold😘
It was great to have Mum down to watch the rehearsal she gave me a few pointers :/ hehe. She recorded it for Dad otherwise he wouldn’t get to see it.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I mean moved me to tears🙄
Fixed it for you 😊
Wonderful … but PLEASE … rest and heal now! You deserve it 🙂
Thanks Cheryl, only ventured out to visit the Doctor, one of my friends has tonsillitis and this cough has kept me awake for two nights now. Says it’s viral so there’s nothing to take other than what I am! So slothing around in bed 🛏 reading it is 👩🏼💻.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The picture of you and Glen on stage is wonderful. It looks like you had a great performance.
Thank you, I have a few more now I just need to get permission to show them on my blog.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a busy and incredible week you have had, Charlotte! You are an amazing performer. You not only have to be a wonderful singer but you also have to be an accomplished actress to make your performances come alive. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos. May you have many more wonderful experiences and performances. Hugs xx
It was sad because I didn’t have any of my blog friends or family in the audience this time. Fingers crossed 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I hope one day you will come to the USA and I will get to see you! I will be one of your biggest cheerleaders ( even if I am only 5 feet tall)! 😆 🤗
Dear Charlotte,
It was indeed a week to remember all the three events you performed in. May the Lord bless you richly my Beloved.
Thank you Rev.Tim
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Just reading all that makes me want to take a little lie-down! Don’t you sometimes long for a couple of boring days?
No choice, I’ve been stuck in for two days with another couple of days staying in resting, bored, bored, bored couldn’t even be bothered to read. Bought the most foul cough mixture – I think my Mums having a laugh recommending this one!
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Must have a bit of Welsh in her — the worse it tastes the better it is for you. You obviously needed the rest!
Both a sweet and sad event, Charlotte, but I’m happy for your success.
Thanks, GP the scene was examined which always add a frisson to a performance.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I hope you feel better soon, Charlotte! Take care of your cold and coddle yourself for a bit–you deserve it. Your costume was lovely, and so was that burgundy dress of yours! You have really phenomenal taste when it comes to what suits your style.
See you soon,
Cate
My friends Esme and Katy have been very poorly and I believe some people are struggling on with their coughs for weeks but I feel like I’m on the mend now. The lovely Alex brought me a bag full of essential items mid-week as he knew I didn’t feel up to going shopping.
I’d like to take full credit for my outfit but my Mum discovered it and she bought me the burgundy and floral one for Christmas. However, I did spend my Christmas Present money on a matching coat and hat in the Sales.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Bravo, agréable à lire et à voir que tu continues à aimer apprendre de nouvelles choses! Très fière de toi Charlotte, et fière d’être amie avec une jeune femme talentueuse et gentille comme toi! félicitations Mlle Rainbow voix!
Merci ç’est tellement gentil de ton part de le dire et merci pour ton aide avec mes phrases en français.
Meilleur vieux
Charlotte
Avec plaisir Charlotte – alors ta part (part =à toi=ta partie, une part de gâteau = a piece of cake –
Voeux = Wishes …. vieux= old 🙂 …
Yes, french is strange part, feminine = ta part and aide, féminine but ton aide is correct. because we not use “a” and “a” so, ton aide, ton action, ton année ……
not “a” and ” e,é,è,ê ” too…. ton école, it’s the same with all vowels … even with “h” in front : ton habitation (ta maison) …..
A bientôt 🙂
I don’t get to attend operas so I love the photos of you and the other performers in costume! I hope you’re feeling better soon.
I hope one day I’m nearby Nanette to tempt you to come and watch :). I’m on the mend now thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful feature and… it seems you are happily busy doing what you love the most. How great is that. I love the photographs dear Charlotte. <3 Sending love & best wishes!
I could use a set of your tarot cards today and the experience to use them!
Thank you for the love and my best wishes in return
Charlotte x
That sounds great. I hope that you had a positive Tarot reading experience 😀 xo <3
I am sorry you have succumbed to the awful cold that is doing the rounds – get well soon! I am so pleased your performances went so well – your photos are lovely! Best wishes, Clare xx
Thank you, Clare, the cold wiped me out for a couple of days, friends have tonsillitis and one thought she was dying the week before so I’m annoyed I succumbed – too busy for bed although I did start listening to new music and towards the end of the week caught up on lots of typing. Not being able to sing is like a punishment.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Poor you! It must be awful not to be able to sing!
A busy week and congrats and all your opportunities to perform. You make way too pretty a nun!
Covering your hair and no makeup is a hard look to carry off, I gave in to some mascara hehe I’m glad my habit wasn’t black that colour drains me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Love your costume😊
Thank you, the costume people are fantastic.
Best wishes
Charlotte
😊❤
Congratulations on such a great week 🙂
Thanks, Alex, it was much better than last week hehe.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such a sad and yet exciting week. Too bad you are sick. Lots of honey and hot water, now.
Your Mum buying foul tasting medicine reminds me of when we were sick, Dad would put some sugar in a cup of hot water and then add horse lineament, the same kind you rubbed on a horse’s leg if it was limping. We got over the cold in a hurry. I think the reason wasn’t the tonic but the fact we willed ourselves well so we wouldn’t have to drink any more of Dad’s remedy.
Where do you get this linament from? hehe. I was very fortunate to be given a bottle of London honey from my concert it came in most helpful. This cough mixture I bought tastes like I expect smoking tastes eugh.
Best wishes Don,
Charlotte
There was a peddler that showed up at the farm every couple of months taking orders from the company’s catalog. Mom would always argue about Dad giving us his tonic. She would point out the warning that it should not be taken internally. I think you should stick with the London honey. Ciao.
😁
How did you like wearing the habit? Hope it wasn’t too scratchy. One of my friends is a Catholic nun. She entered her Order long after habits were no longer required, but does have the veil in her dresser. Donna had asked one of the older sisters what it was like wearing a habit in those days … “not too comfortable on hot summer days, or when you were sick.” 🙂
I thought wearing the habit was good for character awareness and I’m glad I had my hair covered up because then there’s no faffing about. It was soft cotton so it wasn’t scratchy but I only had to wear it for the duration of the scene so I could take it off quite quickly.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Busy, busy, this all sounds wonderful, I am a great Poulenc fan, and have this wonderful opera in my collection, and have studied the play on which it was based.