The Orchestra of St John’s commitment to young artists is evident as ever as its summer season unrolls, packed with exciting concerts, galas, celebrations and dinners.
It kicks off on Saturday May 14 at Dorchester Abbey when some of the country’s most exciting young singers, who are beginning to make a name for themselves in the operatic world, feature in an Opera Gala performing the timeless music of Puccini, Bizet, Mozart, and more at Dorchester Abbey. Book here https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/opera-gala-young-stars-of-the-future-7pm-at-dorchester-abbey/#tribe-tickets
Their programme includes operatic favourites including the Seguidilla from Bizet’s Carmen and Si, mi chiamano Mimi from La Bohème, supported by the full forces of the Orchestra of St John’s. It opens with the overture from Strauss’s seminal opera, Die Fledermaus.
Conducted by OSJ’s John Lubbock this includes Edward Jowle – bass-baritone, Danielle Mahailet – soprano, Theano Papadaki – soprano, Hannah Fraser-Mackenzie – mezzo-soprano, Samantha Oxborough – mezzo-soprano, Charlotte Tetley – mezzo-soprano, Belinda Gifford-Guy – soprano, Hannah Davey – soprano, Ryan Vaughan Davies – tenor, Frazer Scott bass-baritone and Felix Gygli – baritone, all names to watch out for!
If you miss this one then fear not, they are back at SJE Arts in Oxford on May 28 with music from Mozart, Handel, Gounod, Delibes and many more. Book here https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/opera-gala-young-stars-of-the-future-7pm-at-sje-arts/#tribe-tickets
This exciting start then continues into June (4) when OSJ Oxford Voices joins in the fun in celebration of some of the country’s greatest pieces of music to mark the Queen’s 70th Jubilee. The orchestra and choir will unite to perform Parry’s I Was Glad, and Handel’s Zadok The Priest, along with work by Vaughan Williams, Wesley, Purcell, and more. Book here https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/queens-70th-jubilee-concert-7pm-at-dorchester-abbey/
The final concert of the spring transports the listener through the turning of the year with Vivaldi’s timeless, Four Seasons. Vivaldi’s music will be enhanced by a world premiere of composer-in-residence Toby Young’s four motets on ‘The Seasons’.
Performed on June 25 at SJE Arts Oxford, this concert also features J.S. Bach’s Chaccone for solo violin performed alongside the chorales on which it is based, with solo soprano Hannah Fraser-Mackenzie. This is a very recent discovery.This concert is in partnership with Oxford Festival of the Arts. Book here: https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/the-seasons-7pm-at-sje-arts/#tribe-tickets
Oh, and don’t forget to book in for the ‘Concert with Dinner’ at New House in Southmoor on Saturday May 28, and a wonderful Elgar piano quintet to look forward to.
Robert and Caroline Jackson host an evening of music followed by dinner in their beautiful house and gardens as principals of the OSJ play piano quintets by Venables and Elgar.
A second date on June 26, again at New House, features ‘Classic songs and arias’ as the theme for OSJ. BOOK HERE: https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/concert-with-dinner-at-new-house-classic-songs-and-arias/
For more details on OSJ and its spring concert series go to: https://www.osj.org.uk/forthcoming-concerts/
