FROM OUR LAST CONCERT
Simon Adams (bass) began his singing career at Wakefield Cathedral, then spent a number of years as a choir trainer before concentrating once again on his own singing. He is a Deputy Lay Clerk at Ely Cathedral under Paul Trepte where he sings regularly for services and concerts as well as appearing on many of their recordings. He was a founder member of Cambridge Chorale under Michael Kibblewhite, being a regular soloist with the choir and, as a member of Cambridge Voices, took part in many European tours and festivals along with several radio and television broadcasts. He was a member of Corde, a group specialising in early and renaissance music coached by Francis Steele of Tallis Scholars’ fame and appears regularly with Psalmody the chamber choir specialising in repertoire from the 17th –19th Centuries under the direction of Peter Holman. He is a member of the newly formed De Profundis all male choir recently brought together to positive acclaim to perform renaissance masterpieces at their lower, original pitch. Recent concerts with the choir have been led by Robert Hollingworth, David Allinson, David Skinner and Andrew Parrot
Simon studied with Nigel Wickens and has taken part in Master classes with Ian Bostridge. He is regularly in demand around the region as bass/baritone soloist for oratorios, other sacred and concert music.
When singing allows he works as a specialist adviser to young people with learning difficulties and disabilities
Amy Carson (Alto) was one of the first generation of girl choristers at Salisbury Cathedral, was a choral scholar and read music at Trinity College, Cambridge.
In 2005 at the age of 21, Amy was selected to play the role of Pamina in Kenneth Branagh’s film version of The Magic Flute, conducted by James Conlon. She went on to study at The Academy of Music and appeared as a Finalist in the Jackdaws Great Elm Vocal Competition at The Wigmore Hall.
Her appearances on the opera stage include: Galatea in ‘Acis and Galatea’ at Cossington Festival Amy Robsart with Tete a Tete Opera in their company production ‘The Cumnor Affair’, Cupid in King Arthur, Witch and Spirit in ‘Dido and Aeneas’ alongside Magdalena Kozena at The Sage Gateshead and appearing as part of the Garsington Opera Festival Chorus.
In 2008, Amy sang Musetta in a production of ‘La Boheme’ conducted by Nicholas Collon, which toured to Jerusalem and across the West Bank. She also appeared in the St Endellion Festival in the roles of Newspaper Seller and Strolling Girl in Britten’s ‘Death in Venice’ with Philip Langridge, conducted by Martyn Brabbins. She gave her Wigmore Hall debut in Purcell’s ‘Fairy Queen’ with the Retrospect Ensemble directed by Matthew Halls.
Amy has sung, toured and recorded with many professional ensembles including The Sixteen, the Monteverdi Choir, Tenebrae, The Gabrieli Consort and the OAE choir (under Richard Egarr and Ivan Fisher)
Highlights of her consort singing career include; a consort performance of Bach St John Passion with the OAE directed by Mark Padmore, which toured to Japan and Korea, appearing as a soloist in Scarlatti’s Stabat Mater with The Sixteen in Mexico; singing a role for Richard Hickox in a performance of Britten’s Death in Venice in the QEH; singing in a semi-chorus for James Macmillan’s St John Passion and in the premiere performance of the work at the Barbican with the LSO, conducted by Sir Colin Davis.
Amy’s career has diversified as she is now also qualified as an English teacher. Alongside her commitments at Eltham College, Amy continues to perform on a regular basis, particularly on the concert platform.
Most recently she has appeared as Filia in Carisimmi’s Jeptha and Dido with the Sarum Consort; as a soloist in Bach’s Magnificat in Salisbury Cathedral; at the Wigmore Hall in a performance of The Messiah with the Classical Opera Company directed by Ian Page; with Devon Baroque singing Bach’s Jauchzett Gott cantata and with The Wooburn Singers in a performance of Alexander’s Feast.
Claire Eadington (mezzo soprano) was born in Northumberland and raised in Cumbria, Claire Eadington studied at Oxford University and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she was the recipient of an EMI Sound Foundation award.
Claire has performed the roles of Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Sorceress (Dido and Aeneas), and Chinese Cup/Squirrel (L’Enfant et les sortilèges). In scenes at RWCMD she performed Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Fox (Jonathan Dove, Pinocchio), and Third Lady (Die Zauberflöte). Claire was a soloist in the world premiere of Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Mittwoch aus Licht for Birmingham Opera Company/London 2012 Festival and at the BBC Proms in July 2013, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
As an oratorio soloist Claire has sung repertoire from Buxtehude and Bach to Rossini and Pärt in venues including York Minster and St James’s Piccadilly. Claire has also performed with a number of top professional consorts including the Brabant Ensemble, appearing on a number of award-nominated recordings of renaissance polyphony and in a concert broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 from Chirk Castle in the summer of 2014.
Oliver Winstone (Tenor) began his singing education as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1991, before winning a music scholarship at Bedford School, and then spending three years as an Academical Clerk in the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Upon graduating he pursued a singing career, performing regularly with numerous groups including Oxford Camerata, The Sixteen, Ex Cathedra and The Marian Consort. Since 2010 he has been manager of the Early Music Shop in London, and continues a healthy singing career. He holds a regular role in the choir of Southwark Cathedral and remains in high demand for other singing work, including the choirs of St Paul’s and Westminster Cathedrals, and Westminster Abbey.