One of the UK’s finest young opera singers will be taking centre stage with North Wales’ flagship orchestra for a magical new year celebration.
Talented young soprano Erin Rossington will be headlining at two concerts organised by the Wrexham-based NEW Sinfonia orchestra in St Asaph Cathedral at 7pm on Friday, January 3, and at 3pm at St Giles’ Church in Wrexham the following day.
Erin, 24, triumphed over competitors from all around the globe in the Pendine International Voice of the Future contest at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2019.
The prestigious competition was sponsored by the Wrexham-based Pendine Park care organisation via their Pendine Arts and Community Trust and as a result Erin secured a bumper £5,000 prize to help her continue her studies at London’s celebrated Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she has already gained a Masters in music.
Now she says the chance to perform with NEW Sinfonia, one of Britain’s most talented young orchestras, is another ‘miraculous’ step towards achieving her lifetime dream of being an opera star.
She said: “It’s wonderful. I can’t wait for New Year. As a student I don’t often get to sing solo with a top-rated full orchestra behind me and so to be invited to do that is an offer I could in no way refuse.”
NEW Sinfonia conductor, Robert Guy, of Wrexham, who founded the orchestra with his brother, professional clarinetist and composer Jonathan, in 2011, said they are thrilled to have Erin in the spotlight.
The New Year Gala concerts are a highlight of the orchestra’s calendar, starting off each year in rapturous style ad they perform a selection of rousing Viennese waltzes, polkas and marches among other music.
Tickets are already being eagerly snapped up for the back to back concerts.
According to Robert, it will be ‘a real family affair’ and include some much-loved favourites such as the William Tell overture, Blue Danube, Radetzky March, and Auld Lang Syne.
Robert said both he and Jonathan were completely dazzled by Erin’s singing talent when they saw her perform at Llangollen International Eisteddfod in summer.
He said: “We looked at each other and both agreed she has the potential to go far. We knew it would be a real coup to get her to sing solo with NEW Sinfonia and we’re delighted she’s able to do our always popular New Year concerts.
“What better way for us all to start an exciting new decade?”
Erin, from Llanfairtalhaiarn, near Abergele, agreed it will be an unforgettable way to begin the year 2020, adding: “I feel hugely honoured, especially knowing the exceptionally high standard of performances NEW Sinfonia have become famed for.”
Having launched just under 10 years ago, NEW Sinfonia are respected nationwide. They are the Orchestra in Residence for North Wales International Music Festival and regularly work in close partnership on dedicated projects with Welsh National Opera.
The brothers formed the orchestra to give outstanding musicians from North Wales the chance to play regularly together professionally. As the years have gone by their reputation has strengthened and they have performed world premieres of works by distinguished composers including Paul Mealor and Rebecca Dale.
Jonathan said: “We were all quite young when the orchestra started out, with some still in their final years at college. Press forward and numerous of our members have gone on to secure full-time roles with international symphony orchestras. Many will travel home from bases around the UK and even other parts of the world especially for our New Year Gala concerts.”
“We know how quickly time passes. We’re heading into our 20s and 30s now, so we’ve made it our mission to actively look for the next generation of young musicians to come and join us.”
Erin who grew up with her three sisters helping to run their parents’ North Wales sheep farm is delighted to be among them. She has been hailed one of the region’s most promising musical talents.
She studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, before going on to the Guildhall.
Mario Kreft, owner of Pendine Park care organisation which sponsored the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Voice of the Future contest, described Erin’s performance as breathtaking.
The New Year Gala concerts will be at St Asaph Cathedral on Friday, January 3, at 7pm, and at St Giles Church, Wrexham, on Saturday, January 4, at 3pm.
Tickets are available from Cathedral Frames, St Asaph, and from Wrexham Tourism and Information office. For more information or to book tickets online visit www.newsinfonia.org.uk
