Talented trio wow audience at the lane
Star to take on lead Gypsy role
THREE talented young pianists from Chetham’s at a single piano for an astonishing performance, not of Chopsticks, as one might reasonably expect, but of Rachmaninoff’s mighty ‘Valse for 6 Hands’.
A triumph that set the mood for delightful works from the individuals who then performed wholly from memory: Kullak’s The Evening Bell from Amina (Year 4), JS Bach’s Prelude in Cm from Artem (year 7), and a JS Bach 3-part Invention and two pieces by Chopin from Tamara (year 4).
Chetham’s School of Music is an internationally renowned independent co-educational specialist music school in Manchester. There are 300 students aged eight to 18, approximately two-thirds of whom are boarders.
Slava Sidorenko is ideally placed as a mentor. A first-rate international recitalist and concerto soloist, he began his musical education at the age of five and went to the Special Music School in Kharkov, Ukraine. An Associated Board (ABRSM) scholarship brought him to the RNCM where he won many major awards including its coveted Gold Medal and was appointed an RNCM
Ambassador. Excellent to see him sharing his experience and skills.
Older pupils went on to demonstrate progression and maturity, again all from memory. Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in B minor and Chopin’s Valse in C sharp minor were beautifully played by Mariia Savkevych (Year 10).
Then a spirited performance of the first movement of Beethoven’s ‘Waldstein’ Sonata from Youming Ge (Year 12).
Finally, commanding interpretations of Chopin’s Nocturne in B flat minor and Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G sharp minor from Charles Day (Year 13).
The audience was overjoyed with the display of musicianship and gained inspiring glimpses of fine music education from this rising generation of gifted pianists.
This was concert number 1,065 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. Contact 01706 648872.
EARLY next year Hope Mill Theatre will be taking over the Manchester Opera House for one night only. In this one-off fundraising special West End and Soap royalty
Jodie Prenger - from Blackpool, an actress and writer, known as Glena Shuttleworth in Coronation Street - will star as Mama Rose in the concert version of iconic musical Gypsy.
Get ready for a dazzling journey into the world of Gypsy, where dreams are big, and the spotlight is even brighter. Follow the relentless Rose as she propels her daughters June and Louise through the highs and lows of showbiz in this Broadway classic.
With toe-tapping tunes, a remarkable cast, and a tale of ambition that will leave you breathless, Gypsy is a theatrical experience that steals the show. Lights up, curtains rise, and let the magic of Gypsy unfold before your eyes.
Jodie said: “I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the upcoming Gypsy concert! It’s a dream role for anyone in the theatre world, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to bring this iconic character to life. I can remember to this day playing the overture as a teenager. Tears welling in my eyes and goosebumps on my forearms. But what makes this concert even more special is that it is in support of Hope Mill Theatre. This fabulous theatre has been instrumental in nurturing and shaping future generations of theatregoers.
They provide a platform for emerging talent and continuously push the boundaries of creativity. I can’t wait to step on that stage and be part of something so truly special.” A spokesman said: “As part of Hope Mill Theatre’s, Hope For the Future fundraising campaign, we are thrilled to be producing Gypsy in concert.
“There is no denying that Gypsy is one of the greatest musicals of all time, and who else is more fitted to play Rose than musical theatre star Jodie Prenger. Staging a musical concert at the Opera House, Manchester is an exciting opportunity for Hope Mill to bring its work to a larger scale and is a first step in exploring a new model for Hope
Mill productions.”
Sun 25th February 2024 | Tickets from £25 | Manchester Opera House