Verdi's Requiem - 2nd Alto Chorus Rehearsal Aid

1813 – 1901

2nd ALTO VOICE EMPHASISED – ALL OTHER VOICES DIMINISHED

Guiseppe VerdiPart 1 - Requiem

6149

CHORISTER BIOGRAPHIES

Phillipa Thomas

Phillipa began her choral training in Cantamus Girls’ Choir, with whom she toured extensively and competed successfully. She studied music at the University of York, winning the York University Concerto Prize and, following her MA, she continued her vocal training at Birmingham Conservatoire where she was a finalist in various competitions and winner of the Birmingham Conservatoire Singing Prize. Whilst at York, she was a member of the University Chamber Choir and a founder member of Blossom Street. Before concentrating on operatic projects she was a regular on the choral circuit in London and continues to perform as a member of Blossom Street.

Emily Wenman

Emily completed her MA in Vocal Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she studied under Leah Marian Jones. She now trains with acclaimed soprano Gail Pearson. Emily is a principle soprano for professional ensembles including Blossom Street, The St Martin’s Voices Fellowship at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, The Gesualdo Consort, Seren Singers, and Newman Hall Choir, and is an ex-choral scholar of The Chapel Choir of King’s College London and The BBC National Chorus of Wales. Emily is an experienced singing teacher and vocal animateur, and has worked on projects for The BBC National Chorus of Wales, The Arts Active Trust and WNO Max.

Rosemary Clifford

Rosemary gained a first-class degree in English Literature from the University of Bristol before beginning postgraduate vocal studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which she graduated with distinction. Her oratorio work includes Mozart’s Litaniae Lauretanae; Haydn’s Nelson Mass; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Mozart’s Requiem; Britten’s Spring Symphony. Rosemary made her solo debut at the Royal Albert Hall singing Messiah with The Really Big Chorus, and was a semi-finalist in the London Bach Society’s Singers’ Prize 2015. She sings regularly with choral ensembles including the Monteverdi Choir and the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, as well as other ensembles around the UK.

Robert Jenkins

Robert completed his Bachelor in Music (Honours) degree at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2012, after winning the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize there in 2011. Robert was Tenor Lay Clark at Birmingham Cathedral for 5 years, having previously sung there as a treble. He is a member of a number of professional ensembles, including the BBC Singers, Ex-Cathedra, Polyphony, Philharmonia Voices, Siglo de Oro and the Proteus Ensemble. He has also enjoyed singing with many professional church choirs in London, most notably Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, St Martin in the Fields, Chelsea Old Church and Westminster Cathedral. Robert is in demand as a soloist and has also enjoyed numerous opera roles on stage.

Charlotte Richardson

Charlotte is currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, having previously attended Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, King’s College London, and held a choral scholarship to Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. She has undertaken both the Opera North and ENO chorus mentor schemes and is now an extra chorus member at Opera North. Before attending music college, Charlotte toured worldwide for several years as soprano soloist with Irish Riverdance choir Anúna.

Graham Neal

Graham read music at the University of Surrey, winning the Robert Naylor prize. He continued his studies on the Knack opera course at the ENO and as a postgraduate at Trinity College of Music. On the operatic stage, he has performed at The Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, l’Opera Comique and Grange Park Opera. Adept at choral singing, he has appeared frequently in concert, on television, and on recordings. He sings with the Monteverdi Choir, The King’s Consort, Philharmonia Voices, English Voices, Sonoro, Orpheus Britannicus, the Hanover Band and Cappella Nova as well as being a member of the choir of the London Oratory Church.

René Bloice-Sanders

René began his vocal training as a treble in Canterbury Cathedral Choir, becoming a member of the National Youth Choir in 2004. Since graduating from The University of Nottingham in 2010 with a BA (Hons), he received a Distinction for his Masters in Vocal Studies at the Royal Academy of Music in 2013, where he was also awarded the Nora Carstairs Bland Award. He performs both in the UK and abroad where his operatic roles include Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Marcello (La boheme) Marco (Gianni Schicchi), Belcore (L’elisir d’amore), Orfeo (L’Orfeo) and Morales/Dancairo (Carmen) and his concert work has included Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Johannes and Matthaus Passion, Brahms’ Requiem and Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony.

Musical Director: Hilary Campbell

Hilary Campbell is a freelance choral specialist, and is founder and Musical Director of professional chamber choir Blossom Street, and Musical Director of Bristol Choral Society, Chiswick Choir and the Music Makers of London. Her guest work includes ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Chorus, Trinity Laban Chamber Choir, BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service Singers, the University of Greenwich Choir and the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Chorus, whom she recently prepared for a performance of Mahler Symphony No. 2 at Royal Festival Hall conducted by Semyon Bychkov. She also runs an annual project with Master of the Queen’s Music, Judith Weir, at the Royal Academy of Music, in conjunction with Blossom Street and the RAM composition department, and is conductor of P&O Ferries Choir, the group which won the BBC2 series The Choir, and whom she met whilst filming for the series.
In addition to her regular conducting work, Hilary also acts as an adjudicator, choral workshop leader and guest conductor. She is a founder member of the Voices of London Festival, and is also a published and prize-winning composer.

Verdi's Requiem - 2nd Alto Chorus Rehearsal Aid - Chord Perfect (2024)