International opera stars launch London's newest classical song series held in the intimate space of the "Jewel of the Strand", St Mary le Strand. These five recitals will cover a broad spectrum of composers, from Scottish folksongs, Vaughan Williams songs of Travel, Schubert lieder and Rossini's Cat Duet to a tribute to Rachmaninov's 150th anniversary.
The third concert in the series will feature an exquisite selection of duets for soprano, as selected by our exceptional artists, Susan Parkes and Kim Sheehan
Susan Parkes is an award winning opera singer who has sung many contrasting soprano roles internationally. She held a scholarship at the Royal College of Music for both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Opera roles include: Contessa (Le Nozze di Figaro), Cio Cio San, Kate Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) and many more. Highlights include performances at Sadler’s Wells, Bath International Festival, the Buxton Festival, Salzburg International Festival, the Lindbury Studio Covent Garden and tours in Europe, Hong Kong, Africa and Australia. Susan has premiered and recorded as soloist many brand new works including the multi award winning, Karl Jenkins’ “Armed Man’s Mass for Peace” at the Royal Albert Hall. Susan frequently gives guest vocal masterclasses and has lectured on women composers, contemporary opera and the interpretation of English Song for the past 5 years at the prestigious Oxford University as part of Casi and Mapa organisations. She has given vocal masterclasses, outreach projects with major orchestras, including London Philharmonia, and sits on audition panels. She is very passionate about making opera accessible to children and she was asked to devise, write and sang in Opera for Kids; Amazing Arias at the Royal Albert Hall.
Kim Sheehan has firmly established herself as a quintessential coloratura soprano, performing across the UK and throughout Europe with companies such as the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Zürich Opera House, Wexford Festival Opera, Opera North, Garsington Opera, Grange Park Opera and Irish National Opera. Kim has a host of excellent reviews, awards and scholarships to show for her work, including her “outstanding” (Der Landbote) interpretation of Zerbinetta, an “utterly brilliant” (Arts Desk) and “truly star-blazing” (Osterländer Volkszeitung) Königin, with a voice that “sets the pulse racing” (Financial Times) and which shone “like the many fires of a diamond” (Forum Opera). Kim’s personal career highlights include singing Diana in the world premiere of Jonathan Dove’s Diana and Acteon at the ROH, her portrayal of the title role in The Nightingale and the Rose with The Everyman, her hallmark role of Queen of the Night with INO’s The Magic Flute.
Jennifer Carter is an award-winning pianist specializing in chamber music and accompaniment. She won major scholarships for every stage of her studies, including at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she won the accompanists' prize. Jennifer plays regularly at the GSMD, RCM, and RAM. She is much in demand as a chamber musician, accompanist, orchestral pianist and soloist. Jennifer works widely in London, the UK as a whole and has performed frequently in France, Italy and Germany.