Commanding voice of rising star wows church
FEW things command the attention as much as a fullthroated tenor voice, be it on the opera stage, football world cup anthem, or adverts for internet comparison sites. It immediately conveys passionate emotions writ large.
Following the tradition of household names Mario Lanza and Pavarotti, Joseph Buckmaster proved to be a rising star.
He equally enjoys working with opera companies, such as Opera Holland Park and Heritage Opera, chorus for both the Royal Opera House and English National Opera, and concert and oratorio appearances. His career began as a Chorister and Lay Clerk at Chester Cathedral before studying at the RNCM and the Royal Academy of Music.
Joseph was expertly accompanied by multitalented Tim Kennedy who studied music at Cambridge and is a freelance professional singer, vocal coach, organist, and piano accompanist, including ten years as a repetiteur at the RNCM. (See www.tim-kennedy. co.uk). Tim also supplied a delightful virtuoso solo piano interlude.
Glorious oratorio singing from Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus and Messiah, and Puccini’s Messa di Gloria linked well to operatic arias from Puccini’s La rondine, Verdi’s Rigoletto, and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. Singing in English can be challenging but works by the American Lee Hoiby and Vaughan Williams were also effortlessly interpreted.
Finally two arias from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni were ideally suited to Joseph’s maturing ‘lyric spinto’ voice, leaving the audience demanding more. This was concert number 1,064 since taking over from the council in 2001. The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday 12:30 13:30
at the Grade 1 listed St Mary in the Baum Church, Rochdale OL16 1DZ, admission £6.
THE WRONG REINDEER - OLDHAM THEATRE WORKSHOP PREVIEW: STEVE COOKE
FOLLOWING the muchlamented demise of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, it is great to see that there will still be a seasonal presentation with OTW
[Oldham Theatre Workshop] in association with Oldham Coliseum Theatre giving us The Wrong Reindeer.
‘A town where there’s nothing to look forward to. A donkey that wishes they were a reindeer and a child who can’t wish at all. As the winter sets in, and Christmas draws close, an unlikely friendship is formed, and an adventure begins that will remind everyone the true meaning of kindness.’ Suitable for ages 4+ 8 - 24 December Visit: https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/thewrong-reindeer-tickets Please note: Saturday 16th December, 2pm, will be a relaxed performance. Perfect for neurodivergent audience members.
The shows will begin at the time stated on the ticket. They recommend that you arrive 15 minutes before the show is due to start.
They aim to ensure that everybody has an enjoyable and welcoming experience.
Late comers may be asked to wait outside the performance space until an appropriate time in the show before they can enter.
Oldham Libraries performance space, Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, Cultural Quarter Greaves Street Oldham OL1 1AL