Saturday 18th March 2017: Olivia Barr (Soprano) and Conal Bembridge-Sayers (Piano).
Songs and arias (Mozart, Debussy and Strauss); Solo piano: The Barber of Seville Overture (Rossini); Intermezzo from Manon Lescaut (Puccini). Poster
Olivia Barr (Soprano)
Olivia is a classically trained Soprano studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under the tutelage of Gail Pearson.
Before beginning her studies in Wales, Olivia graduated from the University of Nottingham with a First Class degree in Philosophy. She then spent a year in Chichester doing an Advanced Performance course at the University.
Olivia has always been a keen performer be it on the concert platform or the opera stage. Choral singing has also been a real passion of hers. During her time in Chichester she was part of the University Chamber Choir and the Otter Consort. During her time with the choir, Olivia sung solos from Haydn’s St Nicolai and Vivaldi’s Gloria in stunning venues such as Arundel Cathedral and San Zeno Basilica in Verona.
Operatic roles have include Second Woman in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Dorebella in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tuttì. Olivia’s love of opera and the stage is greatly influenced by a strong dramatic background. Whilst growing up she regularly took part in public speaking, reading of verse and prose and acting competitions, culminating in a PCertLam Diploma from LAMDA.
http://www.oliviabarrsoprano.co.uk
Conal Bembridge-Sayers (Pianist)
Originally from Mold in North Wales, pianist and conductor Conal Bembridge-Sayers is currently: Junior Répétiteur Fellow at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Official Accompanist of the Gregynog Young Musician Competition, Accompanist, Chamber Music Coach, and Vocal Coach to the Junior Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Principle Conductor of Orchestra Caritas, and a member of the Eryri Piano Trio, Felson Trio, and Kozar Piano Quartet. Recent recital appearances include Leeds Lieder Festival, Edinburgh Festival, Dora Stoutzker Concert Hall, and St.David’s Hall, in addition to regular engagements with Welsh National Opera, Winterbourne Opera, and the National Gilbert and Sullivan Company. Conal has successfully received numerous prizes for his playing including the Roderick Bryson Memorial Award, Sam Hutchings Pianist Prize, Simon Clarkson Memorial Award for outstanding all-round musicianship, Gregynog Young Accompanist Prize, and finalist in the Junior Kathleen Ferrier Accompanist Prize. Conal has also had the privilege to perform for HRH Prince of Wales, and on another occasion for Dame Shirley Bassey where he was a guest to an event celebrating her life. A successful soloist, Conal has also performed Richard Rodney Bennett’s Party Piece with the RWCMD Junior Symphony Orchestra, and Shostakovich’s 1st Piano Concerto with the Cambrian Orchestra. Conal has been lucky to study with a number of outstanding musicians including; Malcolm Martineau, Joseph Middleton, Simon Lepper, Angela Livingstone, Michael Pollock, Ingrid Surgenor, Robin Green, Steven Devine, and Simon Phillippo. Conal’s Junior Fellowship is kindly supported by the Owen Lloyd George Scholarship, of which Conal is the first recipient. Aside from performing Conal is honoured to be the patron of Cardiff based choir, Serenata Singers, and fundraises extensively for Arthritis Research UK.