Peter Asprey, Henley Choral Society’s Director of Music, has secured an outstanding line up of soloists and a renowned orchestra for his first major concert with the choir since he started in September 2016.
The choir will perform the dramatic mid-Baroque classics; Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Vivaldi’s Dixit Dominus, alongside leading sopranos Samantha Crawford, who will perform the role of Dido , Queen of Carthage with Lauren Zolezzi singing the part of Belinda, Dido’s sister. The role of Aeneas will be sung by international award winning baritone – Matthew Durkan. Mae Heydorn, acclaimed as a mezzo soprano whose “cut and amplitude of timbre puts her at an advantage” (Opera Magazine, January 2016), will be taking the part of the Sorceress.
Sealing the exceptional high standard of performers for this concert is The Brandenburg Sinfonia, one of the most versatile musical organisations in the country, which will accompany the choir and the soloists.
Peter Asprey said;
“I am so excited by this project because of the dramatic potential in both of these works. We have a wonderful line-up of soloists who will be able to communicate this to the full. Samantha Crawford, recent winner of the prestigious Wagner Singing Competition, brings so much depth and power to the role and I look forward to hearing how she contrasts with Lauren Zolezzi with all her flair and vocal agility. This makes Lauren the ideal person to sing Vivaldi’s challenging but beautiful ‘Nulla in Mundo.’ Matthew Durkan will be taking time out from the English National Opera to be with us and will be a commanding Aeneas. This promises to be a most engaging evening”.
Henley Standard 27th February 2017 Link to article