November 2015

I don’t think I would be a very successful blogger or tweeter, since I put messages on the news page every six months or so. But apparently 15 years have passed since Marina created this website and this merits a cheer and ‘virtual’ toast. I contribute almost nothing to my site except for the occasional list of dates, and then Marina has to search the internet for details. Thank you so much, Marina, for creating and maintaining the website, and for your friendship over these years.

I gave an interview on French radio the other day, and the interviewer asked if I was coming out of retirement to give a recital in Paris. I wish I hadn’t allowed the Wigmore Hall to advertise my recital there as my Farewell Recital: I have to justify my reappearance every time, even though the Farewell clearly applied only to the solo Wigmore recital! Never mind. I have almost expected to read my obituary….But I have, with regret, and for family reasons, withdrawn from an exciting and fun series of performances at Lyon Opera next month. I am as fit as can be, but my nearest and dearest have been a little wobbly for the past few months and it didn’t seem quite fair to leave them to manage alone through the chilliest months of the year.

Recently I have much enjoyed singing with some talented young singers from Opera Prelude, and with British Youth Opera for a Gala the other evening, and I watched two wonderful Nozze di Figaro performances given by students of the Royal Academy of Music, conducted by Jane Glover and directed by Janet Suzman. The standard of singing and acting was overwhelming and I wish all the singers as much happiness as I have had in this crazy, wonderful world of music.

I suppose I may as well wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, as I am unlikely to put pen to paper or fingers to keys again before next month. So, with all good wishes for 2016, I send you all my very best wishes and thanks for reading.

Felicity