This Saturday we look forward to hearing Sarah Ashton – Soprano, Joseph Spratt – Tenor, Josh Wilkinson Piano perform their WACIDOM lunchtime concert. The will be playing:-
La Traviata – Verdi
Brindisi
Deh mie bolenti
Addio del passato
Merry Widow – Lehar
Vilja song
Lippen schweigen
Maytime – Romberg
Will you remember
Don Giovanni – Mozart
Say no more
Fidelio – Beethoven
Gott! Welch dunkel hier
La Boheme – Puccini
Che geilda manina
Mi Chiamano Mimi
O Soave fanciulla
Sarah Ashton
Sarah is a soprano from Manchester and a music graduate from The University of Huddersfield,
she also studied with The English National Opera on their Opera Works program in 2015. She has
recently performed the role of Donna Anna from Don Giovanni with Opera Viva and worked with
Sheffield City Opera as the character of Norma in their new opera ‘Donna and her mobile.’ Other
recent performances include Mimi from La Boheme and the 1st Lady from the Magic Flute with the
North Wales Opera Studio. She has also previously performed the roles of Hansel from Hansel and
Gretel with Chimera Opera, Marzerline from Fidelio and Iris from Semele with ENO Opera works and
Cleopatra from Cesare with The University of Huddersfield. She is currently continuing her singing
studies with Andrew Heggie.
Joseph Spratt
Joe’s love of the bel canto method of singing is something that he wishes to return to the world.
He graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2016 and has continued to develop his
voice through many gruelling hours of practice and a varied and busy concert schedule. Joe already
enjoys a wonderful concert relationship with the Leeds Symphony Orchestra and at 24 is now their
principal tenor. In his first professional operatic role, he played Mayor Upfold in Benjamin Britten’s
Albert Herring, which gave him great enjoyment. In future years, Joe is going to Germany to
further his operatic and linguistic education and to master the marriage of a rich ringing sound to
beautiful music.
Josh Wilkinson
In September 2017 Josh obtained a master’s Degree in Chamber Music, with distinction, from the
University of York. During this course he was awarded with a financial assistantship, enabling him
to work as an accompanist for both students and professionals. Whilst at York he formed the
Jochama Piano Trio, with whom he completed his MA. His work as an accompanist led him to play
at the Ryedale Festival in June 2017 with both the Miranda Wright Singers and a masterclass given
by the violinist Jack Liebeck. As a pianist he has received tuition from many notable pianists,
including Chris Glynn, Artur Pizarro, Ashley Wass, Jeremy Young, Peter Graham and Graham Scott
whilst in attendance at the Chetham’s International Piano Summer School. Recently, Josh worked
as répétiteur for the company Aspect Opera to stage a production of Britten’s Albert Herring. Josh
is currently working as an accompanist for Nottingham University as well as carving his career as a
freelance accompanist and teacher.