Opera, oratorio and all that jazz!

Osacr Winning Songs

2012-01-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

Oscar- winning Songs 1934-1994
Sunday 11 March, 2.00pm

Bishop Auckland Town Hall

Join pianist George Hetherington with guests Rachel Orr, Eddie Gratton, Eileen Glenton and David McBeth in a presentation of award winning songs from Hollywood.

Tickets: £5.00 / £3.00 concession

An evening of English Songwriters

2011-11-25T22:41:00.000-08:00

Rachel Orr
George Hetherington

St Mary and St Cuthbert's Church
Chester-le-Street
November 26th 2011
7.30pm

Waltz of my heart
These foolish things
We'll gather lilacs
Roses of Picardy
A nightingale sang
Some day I'll find you
The sun whose rays
Poor wand'ring one
Love will find a way
This is my lovely day
Some day my heart will awake
I sit in the sun
I'll see you again
The time of my life
Spread a little Happiness
O peaceful England

Last Night of the Proms

2011-10-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Sunderland Symphony Orchestra

Concert programme for 2011

Saturday 22nd October, 7.30pm.

Last Night of the Proms

Programme
Investiture Dances - Alun Hoddinott
Hear ye Israel (Elijah) - Felix Mendelssohn
Suite - 'Henry V' - William Walton
Poor Wand'ring One (Pirates of Penzance) - Arthur Sullivan
River Dance - Bill Whelan

Interval

Jupiter (Planets Suite) - Gustav Holst
The Doll's Song (Tales of Hoffman) - Jacques Offenbach
Fantasia on British Sea Songs - Henry Wood
Rule Britannia - Thomas Arne
Pomp and Circumstance March no. 1 - Edward Elgar
Jerusalem - William Blake/Charles Parry
Auld Lang Syne - Robert Burns

Guest Soloist - Rachel Orr (Soprano)

2011-08-28T01:27:00.000-07:00

Friday 2nd September 2011 - Made in England

2011-08-21T11:11:00.001-07:00

Rachel Orr
George Hetherington

Bishop Auckland Town Hall
1pm concert - Made in England

Waltz of my heart
These foolish things
We'll gather lilacs
Roses of Picardy
A nightingale sang
Some day I'll find you
The sun whose rays
Poor wand'ring one
Love will find a way
This is my lovely day
Some day my heart will awake
I sit in the sun
I'll see you again
The time of my life

Eden Theatre - http://www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/bath/usp.nsf/pws/BATH+-+BATH+Eden+Theatre

Tickets priced £3

Rachel Orr performing Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata

2010-06-13T02:18:00.000-07:00

Chester-le-Street Proms in the Park 2010

2010-06-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

Chester-le-Street Proms in the Park
NAS/UWT Riverside Academy Band

Rachel Orr
Graeme Danby
Tony Washington
Rowan Pierce

FINAL preparations are being made for an annual Proms in the Park concert this weekend.

The event, hosted by Consett-born opera star Graeme Danby, takes place at Chester-le-Street cricket ground on Saturday.

Nearly 1,000 people attended the event at the Ropery Lane ground last summer and organisers are hoping for an even better turn out this year.

Mr Danby, Honorary Professor of Music at Sunderland University, will perform alongside Rachel Orr soprano, accompanied by the NASUWT Riverside Brass Band and Sunderland University Big Band.

Tony Washington will also perform "An Act of 2 Halves", following a tribute to comic Bobby Thompson with a medley of popular songs from the Seventies to the Nineties.

The event, which starts at 7.15pm, concludes with a number of proms favourites and a spectacular fireworks finale.

A junior event featuring some of the cream of the region’s up and coming talent, including the NASUWT Riverside Academy Band and rising opera singer Rowan Pierce will be held from 5.45pm.

For ticket information and availability please call: 0191 3883684 or e-mail avril@chesterlestreet-cc.com.

Tickets £12 before Saturday (£20 on the day) from Chester-le-Street Cricket Club

http://www.riversideband.co.uk/
http://www.chesterlestreet-cc.com/

Rainton Meadows Arena Rotary Club Extravaganza!!!

2010-03-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

Rachel Orr - guest soprano
Graeme Danby
Gillian Gartry Roberts

The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street
Invites you to an 'Extravaganza' evening
at Rainton Meadows Arena
on
Saturday 27th March 2010
at 6.30pm(VIP Reception) for 7.30pm
(dinner)-
followed by Entertainment

Book Launch
"You will smile, cry and be enthralled at the wonderful happy ending."
"a fine piece of writing."

This extravaganza is to promote the launch of Rotarian David Hughes’ 7th Book.
He is donating all profit to the charities: ‘Help for Heroes’ and the ‘Army Benevolent Fund’.
We hope you will support our efforts to raise money for these two very worthy charities.

http://www.raintonmeadowsarena.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=111

Music from the Big Screen

2010-03-04T22:03:00.000-08:00

Music from the Big Screen
Sunday 7 March 7.30pm

We invite you to come along and enjoy an evening performance by George Hetherington and guests, Olly Burton, Eileen Glenton, Eddie Gratton, Rachel Orr and the AK Chorale choir.

Tickets: £8.00 / £6.00 concessions.

Bishop Auckland Town Hall

A Feast of Music

2009-10-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

Gala Theatre Durham

Sunday 8th November 2009, 7.00pm
This year’s popular Winter Concert organised by the County Durham and Teesside branch of the British Red Cross features soprano Rachel Orr with the Shiney Row Male Voice choir, the choir of Browney Primary school and talented young flautists Eva Bhowmick and Alice Wright in a programme of operatic, light classical and popular music to suit all tastes.

£9.50 (£7.50 conc)

Felling Concert Choir October 10th 2009

2009-09-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

25th Anniversary Concert

Rachel Orr - guest soprano
Felling Concert Choir
October 10th 2009 7pm
St. Mark's Church Gateshead

PROGRAMME
Rachel will be joining the choir in a selection from Pirates of Penzance as well as singing:-
Gounod Je Veux Vivre (Romeo and Juliet)
Mozart Porgi Amor (Marriage of Figaro)
Mozart Alleluia
Eric Coates Birdsongs at Eventide
Henry Geehl For you alone
Rossini Una Voce Poco Fa (Barber of Seville)
Puccini O mio babbino caro (Gianni Schicchi)
Verdi Sempre Libera (La Traviata)

http://www.fellingconcertchoir.co.uk/

Alnwick Playhouse September 12th 2009

2009-08-12T22:35:00.000-07:00

SOPRANO Rachel Orr

Lemington Male Voice Choir
Alnwick Playhouse
September 12th 2009 7.30pm

TICKETS £10

Link to Alnwick Playhouse website WHAT'S ON
http://www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/diary.asp?m=9&i=y

Last Night at the Proms 09

2009-07-17T23:22:00.000-07:00

Last Night of the Proms 09
Saturday 25 Jul 09
7pm
Tickets: £8.00 - £12.00
Sunderland Empire
High Street West
Sunderland
SR1 3EX
Tel: 0844 847 2499
Email: sunderland.boxoffice@livenation.co.uk
Web: www.sunderlandempire.org.uk

Sunderland's Last Night of the Proms performed by Sunderland Symphony Orchestra and Sunderland SingALong Chorus.

Rachel Orr - Soprano

Music for All present a Night of Classical Fun! Free flag and songsheet for everyone.

All your favourites including... Jerusalem, Rule Britannia, Dambusters, Nimrod, Land of Hope & Glory

Dedicated to Rupert Hanson - Mr Music

Rupert was an inspiration to many including me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I shall miss him but will remember the joy he brought to many with his passion for making music.

MUSIC MAKES FRIENDS!

A Viennese Whirl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

Lanchester Choral Society

Friday 17th July 2009

Lanchester Methodist Church

7.15pm

Love is a Song

2009-05-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

Belmont Church 7.30pm
Wednesday 20th May 2009

Rachel Orr
Eileen Glenton
Olly Burton
Eddie Gratton
AK Chorale

Annfield Plain Male Voice Choir

2009-05-08T23:11:00.000-07:00

Annfield Plain Methodist Church

7pm May 9th 2009

Soprano Rachel Orr
Accompanist Ruth Armishaw

Haydn's Creation Darlington Choral Society April 4th 2009

2009-03-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Darlington Choral Society

Hadyn's Creation to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Haydn's death and Darwin's birth

Dolphin Centre 7.15pm

Conductor: Richard Bloodworth

Soloists: Rachel Orr Arthur Berwick Michael Hart Davies

with the Darlington Sinfonia

Love is a song!!!!!!!!!!!!!! March 8th 2009

2009-03-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

George Hetherington and friends present :-

Love is a Song
Sunday 8 March at 7.30pm

We’ve all been in love, and we’ve probably all had our hearts broken.

Here is a celebration of love in its many forms.

Join pianist George Hetherington and friends – Olly Burton, Eileen Glenton, Rachel Orr, Eddie Gratton, with special guests The A.K. Chorale – for a feast of music from the heart.

All tickets: £8.00

Rachel Orr Soprano on CD

2009-01-16T23:47:00.000-08:00

Hetton Lyons Male Voice Choir

60th Anniversary

The evening was recorded and the choir have included a selection of my songs on the CD they are selling.

Songs:-

Je Veux Vivre - Romeo and Juliet GOUNOD

Porgi Amor - Marriage of Figaro MOZART

O Mio Babbino Caro - Gianni Schicci PUCCINI

Una Voce Poco Fa - Barber of Seville - ROSSINI

Someone to Watch Over Me - GERSHWIN

Till there Was You - WILSON

Morte Criste

To purchase a CD contact Bryan Cooper at the following address or telephone 0191 548 5419.

81 Side Cliff Road

Roker

Sunderland

SR6 9JR

Each CD costs £5 with £1 for P&P.

New Year's Day Concert 2009

2008-12-29T01:17:00.000-08:00

January 1st 2009 2pm Sunderland Minster

Rachel Orr

Soprano

Alleluia

Voi Che Sapete

Je Veux Vivre

O Mio Babbino Caro

Christmas Concert with Shiney Row Male Voice Choir

2008-12-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

Saturday 13th December 2008 Christmas Concert

Trinity Methodist Church, Shiney Row

GUESTS
Rachel Orr - soprano
Ben Armsishaw - violin
Ruth Armishaw - accompanist

THE CHOIR

Shiney Row Male Voice was founded in 1959 from a small singing groupset up by "The Wilson Brothers" - at Trinity Methodist Church, Shiney Row, Houghton le Spring. Since it's inception the Choir has always been based for rehearsals at Trinity Methodist Church.

There have been four Conductors of the Choir :-Fred Wilson Brian McAree Joe Parker Stephen Wroe

Stephen was appointed Conductor and Musical Director in 1994.

As for Accompanists, there have really been only two appointed to the permanent position.The present Accompanist, Robert Chicken, was the Choir's first,but after a short time he moved away from the area. He returned to the Choir in 2006,following the death of George Gent who had been the Choir's Accompanist for 38 years.

The Choir's current active membership stands at 49 members,who come from the Tyneside and Wearside area,including Sunderland, South Shields, Houghton le Spring,Gateshead, Chester le Street and Durham

Guest soloist Hebburn Operatic Society Concert

2008-11-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

Friday 28th November 2008

Hebburn Operatic Society Concert

Guest soloist Rachel Orr Soprano

Dvorak - Te Deum November 15th 2008

2008-11-07T21:15:00.000-08:00

Durham Cathedral Concert Saturday 25th October 2008

2008-10-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

Shiney Row Male Voice Choir

50th Anniversary

Saturday 25th October

Massed Male Voice Choirs Festival in Durham Cathedral.

Ten Male Voice Choirs from County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire are taking part, including ourselves - some 250+ voices.

This Concert is organised by us as part of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations.

Guest Soloist, Rachel Orr (Soprano)

A great opportunity to hear male voice choral singing at its best, in our wonderful Cathedral.

Tickets £7.00 in Central Nave

(£4.00 for Restricted View seats)

Gershwin and The Golden Age

2008-07-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Rachel Orr Soprano

George Hetherington Accompanist

Saturday 26th July 2008 7.30pm

Chester-le-Street Parish Centre

Songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer.

Limited seating

Tickets from the Parish Centre Office

Noel and Ivor

2008-05-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

I am guest soloist singing:-
Waltz of my heart
Rainbow in the fountain
Glamorous Night
I'll see you again
Love made the song
Waking or sleeping
Someday my heart will awake

http://www.dmtc.co.uk/index.html

Buy tickets on-line - https://www.galadurham.co.uk/book/index.php?eventID=00873

Ivor Novello throughout much of his colourful career, was as well known an actor as composer. As his legacy has emerged more clearly since his death, however, it is his contribution to composition, especially in the realm of the British musical theatre that carries greater artistic significance. Novello's musicals were generally rich in distinctive melody and had a conservative, operetta-like character.Novello was born in Cardiff, Wales, on January 15, 1893. He showed rare musical gifts in his childhood, exhibiting an exceptionally attractive boy soprano voice and a talent for creating original melodies.
Noel Coward, playwright, director and actor as well as a songwriter, filmmaker and novelist, his witty, urbane stage productions forever altered the perceptions long inherent in theatre dialogue by shifting away from declamatory tones to a more natural, conversational approach, making them ideal for later film adaptations.Born December 16, 1899 in Middlesex, England, Coward was the product of a musical family; his grandfather was the organist at the Crystal Palace, while his father was a piano tuner.Fred Wharton will be holding a presentation evening on the 1st April 2008 where he will play some of their fabulous music and give an insight into the format the show will take, in what promises to be a wonderful celebration for our 100th anniversary year. Tickets will be in high demand for this unique show as there will be only 4 performances.

A Night at the Opera

2008-05-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

New Tyneside Orchestra Concert

2008-05-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday 14th June 2008,

The Royal Grammar School,

Newcastle

7.30pm

Soprano soloist, Rachel Orr (Northern Opera)

Conductor - David Milner

Leader - Ian Reevley

Festive Overture - Shostakovich

'Song to the Moon', Russalka - Dvorak

'O Mio Babbino Caro' - Puccini

L'Arlesienne Suite No.2 - Bizet

Overture, 'William Tell' - Rossini

Exsultate Jubilate - Mozart

Voi Che Sapete - Mozart

Overture '1812' - Tchaikovsky

BOOKING INFORMATION

The NTO's three main concerts take place at the Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4DX.

Tickets for these concerts are available from JG Windows in Newcastle:Telephone: 0191 232 1356 and Royal Grammar School: Telephone: 0191 212 8930 around three to four weeks before each concert.

Alternatively you can buy tickets on the door.

Tickets cost:£9 for adults

£7 for concessions

£4 for students/unwaged.

NTO WEBSITE - http://www.newtyneorch.org.uk/

Hexham Male Voice Choir 60th Anniversary

2008-05-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

For its anniversary concert on Friday, May 23, at 7pm, the choir will be joined by soprano Rachel Orr, baritone Robert Seaton, and violinist Ben Armishaw, whose wife, Ruth, will accompany the three artists on the piano.

Tickets and further information are available from Mr Arthur on (01434) 600488.

FOR 60 years Hexham Male Voice Choir has enthralled its audiences the length and breadth of Tynedale and beyond.

Now, fittingly, members are preparing to mark their diamond anniversary in song with a special concert at Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School next week.
The evening will be a chance to look back on the choir’s illustrious history – from its inaugural meeting in Hexham’s Queen’s Hall cafe on May 26, 1948, to success at festivals in Tynedale, Blackpool Southport and Wansbeck, to name but a few.
And it will be an opportunity to encourage new singers to join the choir’s happy band.
Current chairman Tom Arthur, who joined the choir himself 57 years ago this coming November, said: “We have always done our best to reach the highest levels of singing we can
“Sadly, many young men are not coming through these days because they have other interests, or are leaving for universities, or to work elsewhere.
“But once in, new members would enjoy the camaraderie of the choir.”
Today there are just 29 members, but Mr Arthur remains hopeful the choir’s ranks will, once again, top 40-45 – a level enjoyed during its earliest days.
Following its inauguration, the choir held its first rehearsal in June 1948 at the Abbey Hotel (now the Beaumont Hotel), by which time it had grown to 36 members.
It staged its first major concert in aid of Hexham’s Trinity Methodist Church and by May, 1950 had even recorded six of its favourite songs.
During its 60-year history the choir has come under the baton of just five conductors.
First was John Gilhespy, then Bill Highman, whose wife, Joan, was the daughter of Tom Mearis, the famed conductor of the Felling Male Voice Choir.
Other conductors have been Bill Skelton, Allan Armstrong, who succeeded Bill in 1976, and Douglas Carrick, who later led the choir to success at the North of England Music Festival at Blackpool.
Nine years ago Mr Armstrong, of Allendale, signed up for his second stint with the choir and he remains its conductor today.

Annfield Plain Male Voice Choir

2008-05-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

Soprano Rachel Orr

Saturday May 10th
Annfield Plain Methodist Church
7pm start

Sunderland Symphony Orchestra May 3rd 2008

2008-04-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

Rachel Orr
Soprano

Mendelssohn's Hear Ye Israel - Elijah
Mozart's Porgi Amor - Marriage of Figaro
Gilbert & Sullivan's Poor Wandering One
Mozart's Alleluia - Exsultate Jubilate Motet

Saturday May 3rd 2008

St John's Church
Seaham

Celebrating 20 years

Seaham twinned with Gerlingen, Germany

'German Requiem' by Brahms

2008-03-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

Rachel Orr - soprano

Musical Director - Richard Bloodworth

Darlington Choral Society
Dolphin Centre Darlington

Sat 15th March 2008

19:15pm

DOLPHIN CENTRE
Horse Market
Darlington
DL1 5RP

01325 388406

map - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=Dolphin+Centre&near=Darlington,+Darlington&fb=1&cid=54524221,-1554997,1430966055498468784&li=lmd&z=14&t=m

Opera for All Concert

2008-03-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

Music for All present 'Opera For All'. Artistes Rachel Orr soprano with Sunderland Symphony Orchestra and The Sing A Long Chorus. Musical Director Rupert Hanson.

Saturday 08 Mar 2008
2.30pm
Tickets £8.00, Concessions £5.00

Sunderland Minster
High Street West
Sunderland
SR1 3ET

Tel: 0191 565 4066

As Time Goes By - Concert Bishop Auckland Town Hall March 2nd 2008

2008-01-27T01:11:00.001-08:00

‘As Time Goes By’ music from
‘The Great American Songbook’
Sunday 2 March at 7.30pm
The years from 1920 - 1960 represent a unique period in the history of American popular music with a level of musical and lyrical sophistication that has yet to be equalled. Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Richard Rodgers, George and Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer – the list is endless.
Join pianist George Hetherington and friends - Olly Burton, Eileen Glenton, Arthur Makepeace and Rachel Orr, with special guests The A.K. Chorale - for an unequalled Mothering Sunday treat.
Tickets: £8.00

Bishop Auckland Town Hall

Market Place

Bishop Auckland

DL14 7NP
Tel: 01388 602610

Fax: 01388 604960

MAPS

http://www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/bath/usp.nsf/pws/BATH+-+BATH+Contact+Us+-+Location+Maps

EVENTS

http://www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/bath/usp.nsf/pws/BATH+-+BATH+Events+-+Music+Events

Opera Diva LIVE!!!! CD

2008-01-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

Last November I had the privilege of singing with Hetton Lyons Male Voice Choir. It was their 60th Anniversary. The evening was recorded and the choir have included a selection of my songs on the CD they are selling.

Songs:-
Je Veux Vivre - Romeo and Juliet GOUNOD
Porgi Amor - Marriage of Figaro MOZART
O Mio Babbino Caro - Gianni Schicci PUCCINI
Una Voce Poco Fa - Barber of Seville - ROSSINI
Someone to Watch Over Me - GERSHWIN
Till there Was You - WILSON
Morte Criste

To purchase a CD contact Bryan Cooper at the following address or telephone 0191 548 5419.

81 Side Cliff Road
Roker
Sunderland
SR6 9JR

Each CD costs £5 with £1 for P&P.

Bach Christmas Oratorio

2007-12-09T02:43:00.000-08:00

Performance of Bach went very well last night.
2 young professional sololists sang tenor and mezzo-soprano; Sean Layton and Katherine Allen. They sang superbly and it was a privilege to work with them. Arthur Berwick sang bass.
The orchestra played brilliantly and the 90 strong chorus gave Bach a performance of his work to remember.
The whole evening was conducted by Richard Bloodworth with whom I have worked on many occasions. Again, a privilege to sing with him.

Quiet break now over the Christmas period.
After Christmas it will be all hands on deck to do some serious learning of new materials.

These include:-
Brahms Requiem
Haydn's Creation
Dvorak Te Deum and Rusalka's Song to the Moon
Douglas Moore's Ballad of Baby Doe arias
Korngold's Die Tode Stadt aria for Marietta

Details of concert

2007-11-30T22:31:00.000-08:00

Concert Details
Date:
08-Dec-2007
Choir:
Darlington Choral Society
Conductor: Richard Bloodworth
Performers: Rachel Orr
Title: Christmas Concert
Programme: "Christmas Oratorio", JS Bach
Start Time: 19:15
Venue: Darlington Dolphin Centre

Click here for a map of the venue
Website: http://www.darlingtonchoral.org

Bach Christmas Oratorio

2007-11-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

I am one of the guest soloists for this concert.

An orchestra will accompany Darlington Choral Society under the baton of Richard Bloodworth.

Bach Christmas Oratorio

December 8th 2007

Darlington Choral Society

Venue - The Dolphin Centre, Darlington

For tickets or further information, please contact the Dolphin Centre on 01325 388410

Welcome!!!

2007-11-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog!!!

Opera Diva!

I'll be posting dates, venues and times of future concerts, including who to contact and how to get hold of tickets.

rachel@operadiva.me.uk