Sophie Kidwell with pianist Pierre-Nicolas

Event Details

Join us for an enchanting evening that promises to be filled with delightful music and captivating performances. The drinks reception will commence at 7:00 PM, providing guests with the perfect opportunity to mingle, relax, and enjoy a glass of Cava. At 7:30 PM, the concert will begin, featuring the extraordinary voice of Sophie Kidwell accompanied by the skilled pianist Pierre-Nicolas.

Sophie and Pierre-Nicolas' recital at Sala61 explores the themes of women and water in the song cycles of Debussy's Trois Chansons de Bilitis, and Elgar's Sea Pictures. The second half will be filled with lighter songs to tap along to, such as Gershwin'sSummertime and Someone To Watch Over Me, as well as songs by Welsh composer Ivor Novello and famous arias from Bizet's Carmen.

Together, they will present an hour long program that showcases a range of operatic sounds, drawing from both classic and contemporary repertoire. Sophie's powerful and emotive voice, combined with Pierre-Nicolas's masterful piano accompaniment, promises to create a sublime musical experience that will resonate with all who attend.

About the Artists

Mezzo-soprano Sophie Kidwell is the 2024 winner of the Young Welsh Singer of the Year competition. Praised in the international press for her “voluminous, velvety smooth and elegant voice”, and described as "a name that opera fans should remember", Sophie has enjoyed a career spanning opera houses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. She most recently sang the title-role of Carmen at Theater Basel, along with roles such as Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto, Flora in La Traviata, and Flosshilde and Grimgerde in Wagner's Ring Cycle. Upcoming engagements include her Italian debut at Teatro Massimo in Palermo, as well as Olga in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin at Theater Aachen, and Rigoletto at L'Opéra de Lausanne. Alongside opera, Sophie is a passionate recitalist: having first studied English Literature at Durham University, she particularly loves interpreting the intimate texts of English Song, German Lieder and French Mélodie.

Www.sophiekidwell.com 

Pierre-Nicolas Colombat is a passionate lover of song, but his musical activities also include research, writing and community organizing. A versatile musical partner, his recent duo performances include concerts in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Finland, Spain, the USA and Brazil. With bass-baritone Vinicius Costa, he received prizes from the Wigmore Hall and IVC Song Competitions. He published his doctoral dissertation “Music and Modern Power: A performer's tracing of Virtuosity and Systems of Musical Value” at Boston University in 2021. His recent works include the essay, video and album project “Wagner's Nightmare” with violist Daniel Orsen and album “Sept fois C-is”, an initiative on what Pierre-Nicolas and his brother Henri (composer) call guerrilla streaming.

Www.pierrenicolascolombat.com  

Concert Experience

As the evening unfolds, guests can expect to be transported through a variety of operatic styles and emotions. The program will likely include a selection of beloved arias , each carefully chosen to highlight the strengths of both artists. The combination of Sophies incredible voice and Pierre-Nicolas's rich piano accompaniment will create an atmosphere that is both intimate and grand, inviting attendees to immerse themselves fully in the beauty of the music.

This is an opportunity to witness the magic of live music in a setting that encourages appreciation and connection. Whether you are a long-time opera enthusiast or new to the genre, this event promises to be a memorable experience filled with the power of song and the artistry of two remarkable performers.

We invite you to join us for this special evening. Don't miss the chance to be part of this extraordinary event featuring Sophie Kidwell and Pierre-Nicolas, as they take you on a journey through the enchanting world of opera