Eliza is The Fairest Queen
Popular songs from the time of good Queen Bess, alongside Tudor-tinted arrangements of hits from the 70-year reign of our late Queen Elizabeth, including:
Thomas Morley Now is the Month of Maying
John Dowland Come Away, Come Sweet Love
The Beatles Blackbird; Her Majesty
Irving Berlin Cheek to Cheek
Walter Kent The White Cliffs of Dover
Immerse yourself for the harmonies of 'Fair Oriana' as they take to the stage for the final concert of the nadsa concert series. Celebrated for their “pure vocal beauty” by Classic FM, the talented soprano duo – Angela Hicks and Penelope Appleyard – are recognised for their unique blend of voices and nuanced performances. Tracing their roots back to the historical ensemble 'Dowland Works' led by Dame Emma Kirkby, they have cultivated a distinctive style, intertwining historical repertoire with a hint of theatre.
Formed in 2019, Fair Oriana has quickly made a name for themselves, drawing from an eclectic mix of genres such as folk, jazz, and cross-over, adding depth to their performances. They inject a contemporary twist into their historical music passion, making their concerts an innovative blend of past and present.
Their debut album, 'Two Voices,' released in 2021, was featured on Spotify's New Classical Releases playlists, while their sublime interpretation of Handel's 'Eternal Source of Light Divine' found a spot in Classic FM's 'Hall of Fame'. They frequently commission new pieces to refresh their repertoire, the most recent being a piece by Louise Duggan, setting an Elizabeth I speech to music.
For their nadsa concert, they bring to you 'Eliza is The Fairest Queen', a harmonious tapestry of popular songs from the reign of good Queen Bess, followed by Tudor-tinted arrangements of hits from the 70-year reign of our late Queen Elizabeth. Delight in the melodies of Thomas Morley's 'Now is the Month of Maying' and John Dowland's 'Come Away, Come Sweet Love'. Adding a contemporary twist, they also pay homage to The Beatles with 'Blackbird' and 'Her Majesty', Irving Berlin's 'Cheek to Cheek', and Walter Kent's 'The White Cliffs of Dover'.
Fair Oriana has enthralled audiences in concert series across the UK and abroad, including the Three Choirs Festival, the Ryedale Festival, Sherborne Abbey Festival, Amia Alsace, and many others. Their ability to flexibly construct performances that bring together solos, duets, instrumental music, and spoken word make them a versatile act you won't want to miss.
Join us for this captivating performance, sponsored by Sue and Jeff Collman, as Fair Oriana enchants with their distinctive blend of Elizabethan and cross-over repertoire.