Sounds of Spring fill the Howard Assembly Room on Thursday 2 May at 11am, in a seasonal celebration of music and storytelling. Conductor/presenter Ellie Slorach, soprano Charlie Drummond and members of the Orchestra of Opera North perform an array of joyful music, ranging from jazz to modern classical, and explore the stories each piece has to tell.
Ahead of the concert, we talked to Charlie Drummond about her own musical story: her introduction to classical music, her path to becoming an opera singer and the music that soundtracks her life.
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Can you tell us about your earliest musical memory?
Funnily enough, one of my earliest musical memories is going to see Opera North’s The Magic Flute in Nottingham! I wasn’t particularly keen on the idea of going to the opera when I was that age (eight, I think) but I remember being totally wowed by the Queen of the Night singing her super high notes. I’m pretty sure I sang to my parents all the way home in the car!
Charlie Drummond, soprano in the Chorus of Opera North
How did you get into opera singing, and when did you decide you wanted to do it professionally?
I was lucky enough to have singing lessons and sing in the choir when I was at school, which certainly helped develop my interest in opera and classical singing in general, but it took me a while to commit to the idea of pursuing it as a full-time career. It wasn’t until I completed my undergraduate degree in English literature that I decided, aged 25, to go to music college in Glasgow to study opera.
What’s been your favourite project to be involved in at Opera North?
So far, I think my favourite project at Opera North has been Tosca. Singing the ‘Te Deum‘ was an absolutely incredible experience!
Robert Hayward as Scarpia and the Chorus of Opera North in Puccini’s Tosca, 2023
What’s your favourite music to listen to at home?
Ooh, tricky… I listen to anything and everything really, and it very much depends on my mood. I listen to rock and metal a lot in the car, so I’m not sure what that says about my driving!
And back to Sounds of Spring – do you have a favourite piece from the programme?
Without wishing to ‘toot my own horn’ (as it’s a piece I’ll be singing!) I love ‘Morgen!‘ by Strauss. The poetry is beautiful and the music absolutely stunning. Hopefully the audience will enjoy hearing it as much as I’m looking forward to singing it.
Members of the Orchestra of Opera North
Sounds of Spring takes place in the Howard Assembly Room on Thursday 2 May at 11am and is the perfect opportunity to experience classical music in a more relaxed setting. The concert lasts approximately 50 minutes.
