Susan Welland Returns To Sing Berlioz’s Summer Nights

With Winchester Chamber Orchestra (WCO) 

Susan Welland makes a very welcome return to perform Berlioz’s suite of six songs entitled “Summer Nights” in WCO’s Summer Concert on 26th June. The Orchestra’s regular supporters will recall her much acclaimed performance of Mozart’s arias from Marriage of Figaro in June 2008. 

Susan began singing at an early age in choirs and operatic societies.  She lived in central London for a while and sang in Southwark Cathedral with the Bart’s Hospital Choir. She had her vocal training with Brian Parsons, Professor of Singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London and is coached by Derek Goodger, pianist and repetiteur in Hythe.  She has had great success in competitive music festivals, particularly in the Richmond Festival of Music and Drama where she has won both the Lieder and Opera prizes.  She also regularly takes part in Masterclasses in central London.

On moving to Hampshire, she spent some years playing leading roles in Southampton Operatic Society before moving to Southampton Choral Society, where she sang most of the major choral works with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.  She now performs regularly as a solo recitalist in various churches, in particular, Winchester Cathedral, Romsey Abbey and, in the future, Beaulieu Abbey; and in small concert halls. 

Craig Lawton has chosen a well known piece from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite with which to open the concert, named appropriately, Summer Song. Peer Gynt, which was commissioned by Ibsen and first performed in 1876, was the turning point in Grieg’s career.

There will be an interval during which refreshments will be available in the Church Hall.
 The Orchestra, led by Sarah Noble, will complete the concert with Charles Villiers Stanford’s Symphony No. 3 in F minor with its Irish theme, unmistakable in his racy second movement. 

The concert takes place in All Saint Church, Petersfield Road, Highcliff, Winchester by kind permission of the Vicar and Churchwardens. Doors open 7.00pm. Tickets are £8, concessions £5, available from Richard Grover (01962) 840102, from members of the orchestra after 10th June, and at the door. Advanced programme notes and information is on the Orchestra’s website, www.winchesterchamberorchestra.org.uk