This Saturday, August 22, at 12 noon, the Parish Church of St Chad in Rochdale town centre will host a lunchtime music concert featuring baritone Gabriel Rhodes, accompanied by pianist Evan Watkinson. The programme includes arias by Handel, songs by Quilter, and Britten's folk song arrangements.
Programme Highlights
The duo will perform Handel's bass arias, including "The Trumpet shall sound" from 'Messiah' and "Behold the monstrous human beast" from Belshazzar. Quilter's Five Shakespeare songs will also be featured, including "Fear no more the heat o' the sun" and "Under the greenwood tree." The concert will conclude with Britten's Folksong arrangements Vol. 5, featuring "The brisk young widow," "Lincolnshire poacher," and "Ca' the Yowes."
About the Performers
Gabriel Rhodes, a 19-year-old baritone from Huddersfield, recently completed studies with Stuart Overington at Chetham's School of Music. He has been awarded the T. E. Drane Award for Singing and is a recipient of The Hardcastle Scholarship. In September, he will begin studies at the Royal Academy of Music under Professor Mark Wildman. Recent engagements include the lead role in Chetham's Opera Company's opera scenes, a recital in Rochdale featuring Tosti and Grieg, and a recital in Tartu, Estonia, including Schumann's Dichterliebe and Poulenc's Banalités.
Evan Watkinson, an 18-year-old piano student from Doncaster, studies at Chetham's School of Music under Jonathan Middleton. He has been offered a place at the Royal College of Music, starting in September. Evan began piano at age 12, made his Stoller Hall solo debut at 15 with works by Liszt, and has performed across the UK, including Manchester, Bury, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Doncaster, and Warrington. He has also worked with composers to premiere new works and has partnered with instrumentalists, including a flute duo that won multiple competitions in the north of England.
Event Details
The concert starts at 12 noon, with light refreshments available from 11.30am. Admission is £6, payable on the door. The venue is St Chad's Church, Sparrow Hill, Rochdale. For further information, call 01706 639162 or email jm_stchadschurch@outlook.com.
