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Dear friends,
Come and join us for an atmospheric evening of French song with popular arias from operas like Carmen, Faust, Mignon and Samson and Dalilah to melodic art songs by Debussy, Fauré, Duparc and Poulenc. We will be delighted to see you there. |
ProgrammeCamille Saint-Saëns
Printemps qui commence from Samson et Dalilah Gabriel Fauré Automne Camille Saint-Saëns Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse from Samson et Dalilah Charles Gounod Si le bonheur à sourire t'invite from Faust Claude Debussy Mandoline George Bizet Chanson Boheme from Carmen - interval - Camille Saint-Saëns Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix from Samson et Dalilah George Bizet En vain pour eviter from Carmen Henri Duparc Chanson Triste Ambroise Thomas Connais-tu le pays from Mignon Francis Poulenc Hotel George Bizet Habanera from Carmen |
Marianina Sotiropoulou |
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Marianina Sotiropoulou is a Greek mezzo-soprano. Born in Athens, she won the national student singing competition at the age of 15, which launched her straight into a career in opera.
Marianina was awarded her Singing Diploma with distinction from the Athenaeum Conservatory "Maria Callas", studying under the renowned Romanian soprano Marina Krilovici. She completed her studies in Germany with Cheryl Studer and Daphne Evangelatos. Marianina has collaborated with several prestigious institutions, including the B&M Theocharakis Foundation in Greece, the Mainfranken Theater Würzburg in Germany, and both Somerset House and St. Columba’s Church of Scotland in London. She has also supported charity events, performing for the London Landmarks Half Marathon. A passionate advocate for opera, Marianina is dedicated to sharing its unique power and promoting its educational and transformative qualities. |
Nigel Foster
Nigel Foster was born in London and studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Graham Johnson, and also privately with Roger Vignoles. At both the Academy and the Guildhall he won every prize and award available for piano accompaniment, and has been appointed an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Nigel enjoys a busy schedule performing on the concert platform. He has played for artists including the late Philip Langridge, Sarah Walker, Ian Partridge, Roderick Williams, Neil Jenkins, Yvonne Kenny, Jeremy Huw Williams, Maire Flavin, Anna Devin, Ruby Hughes, Gillian Keith, Nicky Spence, Jane Manning, Marcus Farnsworth, Benedict Nelson and violinist Madeleine Mitchell, as well as many of Britain's leading young singers. He performs at major venues including the Wigmore Hall, South Bank Centre, St John Smith Square and Royal Opera House (Crush Room) in London, and St David's Hall in Cardiff.
In his formative years Nigel played for Graham Johnson's Songmakers Almanac, the Park Lane Group and several opera companies including Glyndebourne. Nigel has worked with John Eliot Gardiner CBE, and he has happy memories of his time as a rehearsal pianist for the late Georg Solti, playing for singers including Renee Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna. Nigel worked closely with Sarah Walker in the Vocal Department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Nigel founded the London Song Festival in 2007 to promote the Song repertoire that he loves, and since then it has grown into one of Britain's most innovative festivals, putting on themed concerts and masterclasses and providing a showcase for young up-and-coming singers and pianists.
Nigel's CD recordings include several discs of contemporary music and anthologies of songs of Alun Hoddinott and Mansel Thomas with baritone Jeremy Huw Williams for the Sain label. He features on the soundtrack of the French film L'Homme est une Femme Comme les Autres.
Nigel performs extensively abroad. He has played all over Europe, Asia (Japan, Malaysia), New Zealand and the Americas (USA, Canada, Colombia) and has broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and on French, Welsh and Greek television.
Nigel enjoys a busy schedule performing on the concert platform. He has played for artists including the late Philip Langridge, Sarah Walker, Ian Partridge, Roderick Williams, Neil Jenkins, Yvonne Kenny, Jeremy Huw Williams, Maire Flavin, Anna Devin, Ruby Hughes, Gillian Keith, Nicky Spence, Jane Manning, Marcus Farnsworth, Benedict Nelson and violinist Madeleine Mitchell, as well as many of Britain's leading young singers. He performs at major venues including the Wigmore Hall, South Bank Centre, St John Smith Square and Royal Opera House (Crush Room) in London, and St David's Hall in Cardiff.
In his formative years Nigel played for Graham Johnson's Songmakers Almanac, the Park Lane Group and several opera companies including Glyndebourne. Nigel has worked with John Eliot Gardiner CBE, and he has happy memories of his time as a rehearsal pianist for the late Georg Solti, playing for singers including Renee Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna. Nigel worked closely with Sarah Walker in the Vocal Department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Nigel founded the London Song Festival in 2007 to promote the Song repertoire that he loves, and since then it has grown into one of Britain's most innovative festivals, putting on themed concerts and masterclasses and providing a showcase for young up-and-coming singers and pianists.
Nigel's CD recordings include several discs of contemporary music and anthologies of songs of Alun Hoddinott and Mansel Thomas with baritone Jeremy Huw Williams for the Sain label. He features on the soundtrack of the French film L'Homme est une Femme Comme les Autres.
Nigel performs extensively abroad. He has played all over Europe, Asia (Japan, Malaysia), New Zealand and the Americas (USA, Canada, Colombia) and has broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and on French, Welsh and Greek television.