Newsletter Summer 2008

On Sunday 15th June Catharine Robinson gave a Master Class for six pupils who have been taking singing lessons regularly for 6 -12 months. They were joined after tea by two more experienced singers to give an informal concert to which friends and relatives were invited. They described the experience:

"Inspiring"
"A great challenge and lots of fun"
"Enjoyed it all"

In February, Judy Booth, David Peddy and James Wigram sang in a Schubertiad with Michael Cayton, piano who is Director of Music at St. John’s Wood Church.

Michael Cayton wishes to thank Catharine for the very helpful coaching she gave him for Pilate and the High Priest when he sang in a performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion in St Alban’s Abbey in March 2008 for which he also rehearsed his Chiltern Choir who shared the platform with the Harrow Choral Society, director Simon Williams.

On June 28th Vivien Turner and James Wigram are to be the soloists in the Requiem by Gabriel Faure at the Bucton Music Festival near Cambridge with the St John’s Wood Chamber Choir. James is also working on a recital programme for the autumn.

Emma Sparrow was the first of Catharine’s pupils to re-audition successfully this year for the Bach Choir. In April, Emma, along with four other pupils from the Bach Choir, went on tour to Australia where they sang Vaughan Williams’ opera The Pilgrim’s Progress in the Sydney Opera House.

Jenny Sturt sings with the Parliament Choir who are giving a private summer concert for a sponsor as well as beginning rehearsals for a performance of Elgar’s The Apostles at Westminster Cathedral on 26th November, conductor Simon Over.

Kathy Clugston recently enjoyed a 4 Day Course at the Poor School, which featured songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein and a production number from Carousel.

Catharine is assisting Fiona Khalastchy with the editing and presentation of a talk about her new book, The Worst Street in London, which Fiona has been invited to give to the Thackeray Society at the Reform Club. Further information 020 7266 2725.

Catharine and her husband Adrian Edwards have recently been invited to become Vice-Presidents of the London Orpheus Choir. They were present at their concert of Verdi’s Requiem Mass in St. George’s Cathedral SE1 on 12th June.

In September, Elizabeth Djanogly (11) is going to Wycombe Abbey. She sang two songs at her interview, Sister Suffragette from Mary Poppins and You Spotted Snakes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Mendelssohn.

Laura Carroll (11) is to perform a song and dance routine ‘Wouldn’t it be loverly’ from My Fair Lady at the summer show with Westminster Youth Dance Scene. Laura is at the Barbara Speake Stage School.

Catharine Robinson has close associations with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Academy of Music and British Youth Opera and recommends the following events:

Royal Academy of Music Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” starring Catharine's former pupil, Andre Refig. 17/19/20/30 June. 020 7873 7300

Guildhall School of Music and Drama Gounod’s opera L’Occasione Fa Il Ladro. 12/14/16/18 June at 7pm. 020 7638 8891

British Youth Opera season at the Peacock Theatre
5/9/11 September La Rondine Puccini
6/10/12 September Flight Jonathan Dove

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Lerner and Loewe’s Gigi. August 6 – September 13

ENO London Coliseum Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. June 23-12 July

Chichester Festival Theatre Meredith Willson’s The Music Man

South Bank Centre Harold Arlen’s The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Jude Kelly. July 26 onwards.

Academy Chimes Music at RAM, York Gate NW1 020 7873 7400

Chappell of Bond Street now in Wardour St.W1 020 7432 4400