Dido and Aeneas Surrey Opera, December 14th 2014
Another first for Caroline, singing The Sorceress in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. It was lovely to return to Surrey Opera as a soloist, having first performed with them as a chorus member in L’Elisir d’Amore whilst still at school.
Cast:
Dido (also known as Elissa), Queen of Carthage – Zita Syme
Belinda, Dido’s sister and handmaid – Amy Worsfold
Second Woman, Another Handmaiden – Jacqueline Yu
Aeneas, Trojan Prince – Jack Tebbutt
Sorceress/Sorcerer – Caroline Carragher
First Witch/Enchantress – Rebecca Foster
Second Witch/Enchantress – Roz Melrose
Third Witch/Enchantress – Susan Low
Fourth Witch/Enchantress – Sarah Price
Spirit, in form of Mercury – Linda van Abel
First Sailor – David Clark
Directed by Freda Clark
Conducted by Stephen Anthony Brown
Nabucco Kennet Opera 13-15 November 2014
Caroline made her debut with Kennet Opera in their inaugural performance of Verdi’s Nabucco. This was Caroline’s first opportunity to perform the role of Fenena, and one which she hopes to repeat soon!
Cast:
Nabucco, King of Babylon – Christopher Jacklin
Abigaille, supposedly his elder daughter – Demelza Stafford
Fenena, his daughter – Caroline Carragher
Ismaele, nephew of the King of Jerusalem – Randy Nichol
Zaccaria, high priest of the Jews – Julian Charles Debreuil
Anna, Zaccaria’s sister – Julie van Haperen
Abdallo, Babylonian soldier – Edwin Trout
High priest of Baal – Jim Petts
Directed by Ruth Willow Mariner
Conducted by Benjamin Hamilton
Sung in English, with orchestra
La Traviata, Opera South October 30 – November 1 2014
Caroline was delighted to perform with Opera South for the first time in their production of La Traviata, coinciding with the company’s 30th anniversary. Covering the role of Flora and also supporting the chorus, a full review of the production may be found here.
Cast:
Violetta Valéry – Kirsty Taylor Stokes (cover Helen Massey)
Alfredo Germont – Christopher Diffey (cover Ed Hughes)
Giorgio Germont – James Harrison (cover Oliver Gibbs)
Flora Bervoix – Catherine Backhouse (cover Caroline Carragher)
Annina – Lucinda Stuart-Grant (cover Maud Millar)
Gastone – Sheridan Edward (cover Guy Withers)
Barone Douphol – Christopher Childs Santos (cover Hamish Mackay)
Marchese d’Obigny – David Hansford (cover Andy Armistead)
Dottore Grenvil – Jon Openshaw (cover James Priest)
Giuseppe – Guy Withers (cover Jon Grave)
Directed by Lynn Binstock
Conducted by Mark Austin with the Faust Ensemble
Sung in English
John S. Davies Singers – Fishguard International Music Festival July 25th 2014, St David’s Cathedral
A celebration of music by William Mathias (1934 – 1992)
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis Op 53
Ave Verum, As Truly as God is Our Father,
Dy holl weithredoedd a’th folianant, A Grace
Organ Variations on Welsh Hymn tune (Braint)
Also music by Bach, Mozart and Geraint Lewis
Organist Jane Watts
Piano Christopher Williams
Conductor John S Davies
Preceded by an appraisal of the life and work of William Mathias with Rhiannon Mathias (daughter) and Geraint Lewis (composer, writer, colleague of the composer) in Ty’r Pererin, St.Davids Cathedral.
John S. Davies Singers – Llandeilo Music Festival July 12th
After Caroline’s inaugural performance with the John S. Davies Singers in May 2014 as alto soloist for Bach Mass in G Minor and Vivaldi Magnificat, she was delighted to be asked back to swell the chorus numbers in two concerts this summer.
Handel Judas Maccabaeus
Soloists, Keri Fuge, Kate Wolveridge
Paul Badley, Alexander Robin Baker
Westward Chamber Orchestra Leader David Juritz
National Opera Studio Intensive Summer Course July 7-11 2015
Caroline has had an absolutely wonderful week working with the staff at National Opera Studio on a diverse range of repertoire. A busy week of masterclasses, coaching, repertoire sessions, movement and stagecraft, it was hugely exciting to be working with Kathryn Harries, Mark Shanahan, Natascha Metherell, Tim Hawken and Mandy Demetriou. It was great to meet so many other talented young singers, and here’s hoping all our respective paths cross again in the future!
Lower Machen Festival June 26th 2014
An Evening With Dennis O’Neill turned into an evening with Richard Wiegold at the eleventh hour sadly due to ill health on Dennis’ part (wishing him a full and speedy recovery!), and it was wonderful that Richard could step in and perform.
Caroline performed alongside fellow WIAV students Isabella Moore, Kawiti Waetford and Jassy Husk, with Jane Samuel at the piano. The programme included Verdi (lots of Verdi!), Beethoven, Puccini, Donizetti, Wagner, Massenet, Mervyn Burtch, Britten and Ben Moore – certainly something to suit all tastes!
Dylan Thomas Centenary Concert with Dennis O’Neill, Siân Phillips, Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir and selected students of WIAV, June 7th 2014
Caroline was honoured to be invited to take part in the Dylan Thomas Festival’s celebratory concert performing alongside Dennis O’Neill, Siân Phillips, Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir and her WIAV colleagues, Wyn Davies, Isabella Moore and Alex Wilson, accompanied by Jane Samuel.
We were delighted to receive a warm welcome, and it was a privilege to perform alongside such distinguished artists. Huge thanks to Dennis, Siân and Jane, and everyone involved at Dylan Thomas 100, University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Wales International Academy of Voice for a wonderful evening, not to mention all at the Parish Church of St Mary, Swansea.
Bach Mass in G Minor and Vivaldi Magnificat with John S Davies Singers St David’s Cathedral Festival May 28th 2014
Caroline made her solo debut in St David’s Cathedral as guest artist of the John S. Davies Singers with the Westward Chamber Orchestra, led by Nicole Wilson. The programme featured lesser known early works of Bach and Handel, along with the more frequently performed Vivaldi Magnificat, and proved to be very rewarding. Some lovely feedback was received from members of the audience, whose warm reception was very much appreciated.
Gala Concert with Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile, Wales Millennium Centre May 23rd 2014
Caroline and her WIAV colleagues were honoured to join Dennis and Nuccia onstage at the Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, for an evening of operatic favourites.
The programme included arias and excerpts from I Capuleti, Otello, Don Carlo, Don Pasquale, Il Corsaro, Le Roi d’Ys, Rigoletto, Idomeneo and La Traviata. The evening was rounded off in rousing fashion with the Brindisi, led by Dennis and Nuccia, and it was a privilege to perform alongside such remarkable artists.
Special thanks go to Jane Samuel at the piano, who accompanied the evening’s singing in her inimitable and graceful style.
Radyr Festival, Afternoon Recital May 9th 2014
Caroline together with New Zealand tenor Alex Wilson and accompanist Jane Samuel gave a lunchtime recital at the Radyr Festival. The programme was a varied one, featuring Schubert, Schumann, Bizet, Mahler, Elgar, Haydn Morris, Ivor Novello and Rodgers & Hammerstein, and some traditional Irish and Welsh folk music. Alex also accompanied some of the items beautifully on guitar. We were delighted that so many people turned out to see and hear us, and our heartfelt thanks go to all at the Radyr Festival for their invitation – it was lovely to meet everyone and sing for such an appreciative audience.
Guest artist of Vice Chancellor of University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Graduation Dinner May 1st 2014
Caroline and her WIAV colleague, soprano Stephanie Edwards were delighted to join the graduation celebrations at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff this week. They performed a short recital with Catherine Roe-Williams at the piano for the benefit of the dignitaries once the ceremonies were complete. it was a wonderful evening and we received some lovely feedback, with the president of the Students’ Union tweeting “Mind blowing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone by @UWTSD WIAV students! #realtears #realtalent” – this was our final item of the evening, and we were thrilled to receive a standing ovation. Congratulations to all the graduates – it’ll be our turn soon!
Haydn ‘Nelson’ Mass with Côr Caerdydd April 6th 2014
Another first for Caroline, this time joining Côr Caerdydd for their Spring concert and providing the alto solo for their ‘Nelson’ Mass. Congratulations to everyone involved – it was a pleasure to hear so much beautiful music, including a choral arrangement of John Hughes’ Arwelfa by Jeffrey Howard, and a stunning new piece, Cariad, by Ieuan Wyn, who also sings within the choir. Ieuan was awarded the Musicians’ Medal at the Denbighshire and District National Eisteddfod for the work.
Mozart Requiem with Côr Penclawdd April 5th 2014 7:30pm
Caroline was delighted to join Côr Penclawdd for their first concert under recently appointed Musical Director, Tim Crossland. The choir has been performing (via a few name changes) for 100 years, and it was a privilege to sing Mozart’s beautiful Requiem Mass with them. A great day was had with lovely people – not a bad way to spend a Saturday!
Masterclass with Marie McLoughlin March 27 -28th
We were extremely privileged to work over two days with the lovely Marie, whose expertise and enthusiasm were abundant. Her guidance, support and technical input was hugely appreciated by everyone, and we look forward to welcoming her back to WIAV in the near future.
WIAV Spring Gala Concert March 26th 2014 7:30pm
It’s been a busy week for WIAV singers, who with the wonderful Jane Samuel presented last night’s Gala Concert at the University Chapel at Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus. Caroline opened the concert with ‘Eboli’s ‘O Don Fatale’, and the programme included excerpts from Manon, Die Zauberflöte, Linda di Chamounix, Gianni Schicchi and Otello, amongst others. Huge thanks to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David for looking after us so well, and to everyone who turned out to hear us. It was a lovely evening, and we were thrilled to receive such a warm welcome – a standing ovation speaks for itself!
Masterclass with Della Jones 24 – 25/03/2014
Caroline and her colleagues at WIAV have had the great privilege of working with the wonderful Della Jones this week. Caroline sang ‘Eboli’s final aria from Don Carlo, ‘O don fatale’, and thoroughly enjoyed both her session and listening to her colleagues work. Della’s expertise and guidance has been absolutely inspirational, and we are all hugely grateful to Dennis, Nuccia, Jane, Euros and WIAV for the opportunity. We hope she’ll be back soon!
Art Song Recital – Thursday February 6th 7:30pm
Caroline and two of her WIAV colleagues, baritone Kawiti Waetford and tenor Alexander Wilson presented an evening of art song, lieder and mélodies. Caroline’s programme included Fauré, Mahler and Elgar. We were extremely glad to see so many faces in the audience, despite a particularly filthy evening of lashing icy rain and wind – the support really is much appreciated!
This year’s WIAV students joined forces to present a gala concert in the New Year at:
Tredegarville Baptist Church The Parade East Grove Cardiff CF24 3AD
The programme for the evening included excerpts from Rigoletto, I Puritani, Don Carlo and Le Nozze di Figaro. Caroline performed ‘Da, chas nastal’, Joan of Arc’s Act 1 aria from Tchaikovsky’s The Maid of Orleans.
Park Opera – The Queen of Spades 26/02 – 01/03 2014
Caroline returned to Park Opera after last year’s Madama Butterfly to sing the role of ‘Polina’ for their 2014 production of Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades.
Cast:
Lisa: Loretta Hopkins
Herman: Bo Wang
Countess: Diana Vivian
Polina: Caroline Carragher
Prince Yeletsky: Ian Henderson
Tomsky: Tom Humphreys
Chekalinsky: Richard Johnson
Surin: Jeremy Andrews
Narumov: John Mills
Major Domo/Chaplinksky: Jim Petts
Governess: Sue Moore
Masha: Camilla Jeppeson
Chloe: Leah Podzimek
Musical Director: Francis Griffin
Producer: Stephen Oliver
The production was sung in English, with full orchestra.
Caroline Carragher 