We are pleased to announce the stellar line-up of soloists for our next concert, where we will be performing Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle.
Pasquale Orchard - soprano
New Zealand born soprano Pasquale Orchard holds her MMus, MMA and Post Graduate diploma in Classical voice, LTCL diploma in Performance Arts, and various dance diplomas. Pasquale is a member of the Opera North chorus and covered Vixen in their Cunning Little Vixen and will perform as Yvette in La Rondine and cover Nanetta in Falstaff and Despina in Cosi fan tutte.
Beth Moxon - mezzo-soprano
Born and raised in Leeds, Beth is a Samling Young Artist who studied at the Royal College of Music, National Opera Studio, and the Britten Pears Programme with Sir Antonio Pappano. Since then she has sung roles in the UK and abroad including Penelope Il ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria at Opéra de Vichy and Opéra de Lyon, L’enfant L’enfant et les sortilèges at Royal Opera House Muscat and the premiere of Hannah Kendall’s Knife of Dawn at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
Tom Smith - tenor
Hartlepudlian tenor Tom Smith has performed at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Scottish Opera, Bergen National Opera, Welsh National Opera, and the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. In August 2023, Tom joined The Chorus of Opera North, taking immense pride in being part of this esteemed company renowned for bringing world-class theatre to the North of England.
Edmund Danon - baritone
Edmund studied at the Royal Academy of Music and National Opera Studio supported by the Glyndebourne New Generation Programme and Peter and Helen Blumer. He has performed roles at the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, Northern Ireland Opera, Grange Park Opera, and Southbank Centre including two world premieres. He has also performed as a concert soloist at venues such as Cadogan Hall, Trinity College Cambridge and St John’s Smith Square. Future plans include Dandini in Rossini’s La Cenerentola for English Touring Opera and his debut with the LA Philharmonic in 2024.
Ben de Souza - accordion
Ben is one of a growing number of British classical accordionists at the forefront of promoting the instrument in this country. Ben is a regular recitalist and chamber musician, performing frequently with violinist Chloë Meade in Duo Fisarco. Highlights include collaborations with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Newbury Spring Festival. Ben completed his undergraduate studies in accordion performance with Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music. He teaches at Salisbury Cathedral School and The Purcell School.
Rebecca Taylor - piano
An experienced, award-winning accompanist of exceptional talent, Rebecca also works as a piano soloist, with performances in various European venues, and several BBC broadcasts. Rebecca works too as a conductor of classical music choirs, including the English Chamber Choir (and Leeds Festival Chorus on occasion), and is involved in keyboard education.
In addition to her superb accompanist work for us, and her role as Assistant to the Artistic Adviser, Rebecca is our pre-rehearsal warm-up queen, ensuring with great expertise and humour that we are ready to give our best.
Simon Wright - conductor
Simon has been a professional musician since the age of 7 (as a member of the Manchester Cathedral Choir), with a career from serving as a young accompanist with the Hallé choir (working with Sir John Barbirolli) to conducting virtually every major classical orchestra in the UK, as well as orchestras in USA, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Oman, South Africa, and the Caribbean.
He has a fine discography, with recordings for EMI, Naxos and Nimbus and several specialist labels.
We love performing with professional soloists of this calibre, and are looking forward to sharing this music with you on Saturday 11th May, 7:30pm at St Edmund’s Church, Roundhay.
