Summer Serenade Preview: Holywell Music Room

3:10pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

Those who were lucky enough to have seen Roderick Williams's Alice in Wonderland, commissioned for the European Music Festival in the 1990s, may remember Oxford-born Catherine Young, a 14-year-old soprano from Cherwell Upper school who played the part of the Duchess. Despite her youth, she sang at Merton College with maturity and great gusto.

This was her first singing role. Nevertheless her talent was already beginning to shine through. Following this debut performance, Catherine went on to represent Oxfordshire, singing as the soprano soloist in the Mozart Requiem for the Oxfordshire Music Service and with the Oxford Girls Choir.

By 2004, Catherine had won the Voice of Oxford competition and, as part of her prize, sang at the Radley Fireworks Prom later that year, to critical acclaim. Now a regular guest soloist with the City of Oxford Orchestra, Catherine sings at their Christmas concert every year.

On being awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music, she has now completed an undergraduate degree and is preparing to take up a coveted place on the Masters in Vocal performance course at the Royal College of Music.

Having returned to her home in Oxford for the summer vacation, Catherine arranged to join baritone Aaron McAuley and tenor Alistair Digges in a Summer Serenade Opera Gala, which takes place at 8pm tomorrow night at the Holywell Music Room. Both Aaron and Alistair are currently studying at the RCM's Benjamin Britten International Opera School. The trio will be accompanied by pianist Michael Higgins.

The concert programme will include popular operatic treats such as the duet La ci darem la mano from Mozart's Don Giovanni and Se vuol Balare from The Marriage of Figaro. The Jewel Song from Gounod's Faust and pieces by Puccini are also included.

Tickets for this concert can be booked by phoning the Oxford Playhouse on 01865 305305.

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