Featuring
View the running order for Saturday 12th July
The Cwmbach Male Voice Choir
The Cwmbach Male Choir was formed in 1921, and has survived to the present day even though it was severely tested by periods of hardship, depression and World War 2. During its 86 years it has flourished and built up an enviable record of success in competitions and concert performances. Cwmbach Male Choir was formed in 1921, and has survived to the present day even though it was severely tested by periods of hardship, depression and World War 2.
In 1996 the Choir celebrated its 75th Anniversary. It performed 23 concerts during the year, the highlight being the Gala Concert given at St. David's Hall, Cardiff when the Choir was joined by the renowned Italian soprano, Nuccia Focile, and the Internationally famous baritone, Jason Howard.
Since inception the Choir has upheld the tradition of Male Voice singing in the Cynon Valley and further afield. It is the fervent hope of the present Choristers that the high standard, which has been set and maintained during the Choir's long existence, will continue well into the future.
Marcel Scerri
Dramatic Tenor
Opera, Concert, Oratorio
From Wagner to Neapolitan song, this voice is versatile and exciting.
Marcel Scerri embodies the qualities of an operatic tenor.
‘Performed with such amazing range and presentation.’
Recital ‘Songs and Arias’ Steve Bromley Brighton Festival Fringe May 2008
The warmth and richness of the Mediterranean is evident in the timbre of his voice. Emotive depth is balanced with an effortless ringing top creating a fine dramatic tenor. Marcel Scerri studied privately in the UK with Shirley Dangerfield, an international dramatic soprano. He sings many of the romantic and heroic tenor roles and is equally at home with oratorio and recital. Marcel Scerri is an accomplished singer of contemporary music including performances of new works. He has also taken opera into schools around the country through educational work.
Keziah Thomas
Born in London in 1980, Keziah Thomas started harp lessons at the age of ten, gaining an ARCM diploma and solo debuts at the Wigmore Hall and the Royal Albert Hall whilst still at school. She completed her studies with Daphne Boden at the Royal College of Music in 2002 and was awarded the Douglas Whittaker, Jack Morrison and Marie Goosens Harp Prizes. Keziah has participated in masterclasses with Catherine Michel, Erika Waardenburg, Isabelle Moretti and is currently studying privately with Alison Nicholls.
Since graduating, Keziah has achieved a busy career as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing at major venues and festivals in the UK and abroad including the Fairfields Halls and the Purcell Room in London, the 8 th and 9 th World Harp Congresses in Geneva and Dublin and a solo tour of Japan for Aoyama Harps. Keziah was the winner of the 2003 London Harp Competition and a string finalist in the 2003 and 2006 Royal Over-Seas League Competition.
Margaret Watson
Margaret started harp lessons at the age of fouteen with Surrey based harpist Susannah Shucksmith.
She then continued her musical training under Sidonie Goossens OBE and finished her studies with Sussex harpist Helen Arnold.
The harp she plays today is a magnificent instrument made for her by Pilgrim Harps in Surrey.
She now works as a soloist and has given recitals at National Trust properties, has played at the City of London Guildhall, The Baltic Exchange, The Savoy and Hilton Langham Hotels and for many weddings, private and charity functions.She plays at Penshurst Place in Kent wearing Perio Costume and has appeared on Meridian Television in a documentary for The Pilgrim's Way.
Margaret is currently Resident Harpist at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, The Insurance Institute of London and Penshurst Place in Kent.
Sophie Gopsill
Sophie Gopsill, (née Sophie Cheuk) is a Chinese mezzo-soprano and contralto singer with over 30 years of professional singing and acting experience.
Born in Hong Kong, at an early age her parents moved to China to conduct and direct western opera at the Beijing Opera House. As a result, Sophie was brought up on and around the stage and showed early talent for music, dance and drama. In the early 60's the Cultural Revolution halted her musical education; her parents were sent to prison for being "intellectuals" whilst Sophie and her sisters were sent to hard labour camp for seven years on the Sino-Soviet border, living in primitive conditions in temperatures down to -40C in the winter. Music was put on hold as a result.
When the chaos subsided, Sophie became a member of a western classical music and drama group in China. During the 1970's she was a member of Lanzhou Artistic Theatre and a performer at Harbin Opera House. In 1980 Sophie returned to Hong Kong and during the early 80's she performed in Hong Kong's City Hall and North Point Concert Hall, also on Hong Kong TV and Radio. Sophie toured extensively in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, performing in live concerts, in sports stadiums, on TV, radio and in opera houses and also for charity benefits.
In 1985 Sophie emigrated to the UK and for several years sang in Plymouth's Theatre Royal, Athenaeum Theatre, City Hall and Plymouth Festival. She was also a regular performer at the Plymouth Society of Music and sang at the Cheltenham International Festival.
In the late 80's and early 90's her career went on hold again, this time due to cancer and a brain tumour. In 1998 Sophie went to Naples, Italy for six years. Whilst there she performed at the annual Institute of Grenoble Music Festival, at the Maschio Angioino (Castel Nuovo), Salerno Music Conservatory, the Naples Community Theatre, at international functions and at the British Consulate. She also appeared as an actress in a well-known Italian TV film drama.
In 2004 Sophie went to Hong Kong and performed in the City Hall Concert Hall. In 2006, she sang at the Cadogan Hall in London, and in 2007 returned to Hong Kong once more to perform at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. She also gives recitals in south-east England. Sophie's repertoire is extensive, ranging from Chinese classical and folk songs to German lieder and Italian, French etc lyric songs.
Sophie has been a survivor of both life's hardships and illness. Her philosophy is to take any opportunity that life presents and she is a great believer in the power of music as a life-strengthener. She remains determined to perform for as long as she is able.
Charlotte Shorthouse
Charlotte studied at City University and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for her MA in vocal performance.
She has appeared in oratorio, recital and cabaret and recorded as a session singer with leading music producers including Fatts & Small. Her operatic roles include those by Purcell, Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti and Mascagni. Recent performances include a recital at this years Brighton Festival.
‘It takes a lot of skill to wield such a diverse range of material well, but she pulls it off naturally.’
Steve Bromely. Evening Argus. May 2008.
Charlotte is one of a handful of Certified Master Teachers of Estill Voicecraft in the UK. To date, she has taught the model at the Royal Academy of Music and on courses in the USA, Spain and Greece. This year she will returns to Spain and in 2009 will travel to New Zealand for a co-production with NBR NZ Opera, the Opera School and Waikato University.
View the running order for Saturday 12th July
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