Worcestershire-based professional tenor, singing teacher and musical director Wilhelm Theunissen has organised a classical concert to raise money for Opera Worcester.
The concert, ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me” is presented and hosted by St Martin’s Church, London Rd as part of their ‘Coffee Concert’ series in collaboration with this year’s Worcester Festival.
The concert will take place this Saturday 27th August at St Martin’s Church beginning at 10.15am with coffee and homemade cakes available to enjoy as part of the performance. Entry to the concert is free with all donations going to the Opera Worcester, the musicians’ chosen charity
The accompanist is James McDowell-Scott (pictured left) and he and Wilhelm (pictured right) will perform Beethoven’s song cycle ‘An die ferne Geliebte’ (To the distant beloved), Op. 98. James is the Musical Director and Organist at All Saints Church, Cheltenham.
The concert will also feature piano solos by James, and solo performances by some of Wilhelm’s pupils who are among some of Worcestershire’s most promising young singers.
Also taking part is singing duo, Belaria, featuring Patricia Head and John Davidson. Both are principal singers with Opera Worcester, and have now formed a singing partnership giving performances across the region. They will also both appear in Opera Worcester’s next production of ‘The Merry Widow’ at the Norbury theatre in Droitwich next February.
Wilhelm has been a musical director with Opera Worcester and has conducted highly successful concerts for the society, including one at St Martins in 2019.
Wilhelm now also leads the society’s very popular community choir which will also be appearing at the Festival Stage in Crowngate later that day from 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Wilhelm comments:
“It has been a difficult few years for local music societies and so I am pleased to organise this concert to raise much needed funds for Opera Worcester, a society I greatly enjoy working with. It will also provide an opportunity for some of my pupils to perform. The chances to perform can be rare and it is such an important part of a singer’s musical development.”
Chairman of Opera Worcester, Caroline Causier comments:
“ We are extremely grateful to Wilhelm for organising this concert and allowing us to be the beneficiary. As a society we try to provide opportunities for talented young people, and indeed singers of all ages, to perform. It’s been a difficult time for the society, along with others in Worcester, and any contribution to our funds enabling us to continue to perform opera and operetta in the area is very gratefully received”.
Patricia Head of Belaria comments:
“We are delighted to have been asked by Wilhelm to support this concert. Both John Davidson and I enjoy singing with Opera Worcester and we have also benefitted from expert vocal coaching from Wilhelm. We are very much looking forward to the morning and a chance to perform as St Martin’s again.”