ST ANN’S CHURCH
WEDNESDAY 06 DECEMBER 2023
1PM
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Estampes
- Pagodes
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat major Op 110
- Moderato, cantabile molto espressivo
- Allegro molto
iii. Adagio ma non troppo – Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo
Jiale Bao piano
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RICHARD RODGERS & OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN
‘Hello Young Lovers’ from The King and I
GENE DE PAUL
‘Wonderful, Wonderful Day’ from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
ROBERT B SHERMAN
‘Hushabye Mountain’ from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
ROBERT AND KRISTEN ANDERSON LOPEZ
‘Remember Me’ from Coco
HENRY MANCINI
‘Moonriver’ from Breakfast at Tiffany’s
PAUL WILLIAMS
‘Bless Us All’ & ‘It Feels Like Christmas’ from The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
Phoebe Watts mezzo
James Gillett piano
Jiale Bao piano
Jiale Bao is currently studying for a master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music, under the tutelage of renowned pianist, Alexandra Dariescu. Jiale previously studied piano at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and in 2016, she gave her first recital and was awarded a scholarship. During her studies, she was invited to perform at the Suzhou Museum and performed with the famous violinist, Luz Leskovitz. In 2018, she won the People’s Scholarship of Shanghai Conservatory of Music with Honors and she graduated in 2021. Jiale has won many prizes during her performance career, including the Special Prize at Troisdorf International Piano Competition, Silver Prize at the 21st Century Prominent Musician Awards, First Prize at the London Youth Piano Competition, and Silver Prize at the International Grand Music Competition. During her studies, she has been coached by renowned teachers such as Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Jianing Kong, Hongkuan Chen, Konrad Else, Michael Keller, Mikhail Alieksandnoy and Roland Krüger.
Phoebe Watts mezzo
James Gillett piano
Phoebe Watts is a Mezzo-Soprano studying under the tutelage of Mary Plazas. Originally from Dover, she has recently completed her Master’s degree at the RNCM, and is hoping to return to her studies for a third postgraduate year. Phoebe has recently performed as Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro, Bertha in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and as a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with Shoreham Oratorio and Todmorden Choral Society. Phoebe is the winner of the Eunice Pettigrew Award for Mezzo-Soprano’s and had great fun performing in the chorus for the Hallé Orchestra’s season finale of Madama Butterfly in 2022.
James Gillett is a Manchester-based pianist and conductor from Grimsby and has recently graduated with a master’s degree from the Royal Northern College of Music as a repetiteur. James first studied music at the University of Manchester. He left University with an LRSM in clarinet, an ATCL (dist.) in piano, and a first-class degree in Music, obtaining the Hargreaves Prize for Analysis. Alongside James’ experiences at university, he developed a love for music-making in the theatre. This interest began with producing and conducting a staged production of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale. It was then further cultivated through experiences such as Young Artist Conductor for Waterperry Opera Festival. James is currently accompanist for PB theatricals and has recently musically directed a sold-out double-bill as part of RNCM’s Spotlight Concert Series.
Alongside his operatic endeavours, James actively promotes community music making, and is the musical director of Oldham Symphony Orchestra and Abney Orchestra. He is also involved in Manchester’s contemporary music scene and was honoured to work as repetiteur for the premiere of Anna Appleby’s opera Drought, performed by the BBC Philharmonic in October 2022. Outside of the concert hall, James enjoys performing duo-recitals with singers in local venues, sharing high-quality music in a variety of settings around Greater Manchester.
All performers appear by kind permission of the RNCM
