Olympia Hetherington - Mezzo-Soprano






Olympia Hetherington. Before pursuing a career as a professional mezzo-soprano, Olympia read Classics at Jesus College, Cambridge and worked as a Parliamentary Assistant in the House of Commons. She then moved to Moscow where she taught English and studied voice with Galina Rubleva.

 

Having returned to the UK she studied with Susan McCulloch and then began her Masters in Vocal Studies and Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Susan Roper. During her studies at the RNCM Olympia made her professional operatic debut as Third Sprit in Longborough Festival Opera’s production of Die Zauberflöte and also covered the role of Second Lady.

 

She returned again this year to Longborough to cover the role of Dryad in Ariadne auf Naxos and to join the chorus in La Traviata. Upcoming solo performances include Handel's Dixit Dominus at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and Mozart Requiem at St Martin’s Church, Salisbury. Olympia continues her studies in Oxfordshire with Christine Cairns.



Peter Cowdrey is a composer, pianist and ornithologist. His works cover many genres, and have been premiered at Istanbul Festival, Schleswig Holstein Festival, Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room.

 

He has written music for the Royal Shakespeare Company. His one act opera The Lovely Ladies, based on the wine diaries of Michael Broadbent, was premiered at Christies. This production was repeated at the Buxton Opera Festival. A BBC Commission, Bremania, will receive its UK Premiere in Clifton Cathedral on March 23rd, details at www.bristolsymphonyorchestra.com/charles-mutter.


Many of Peter's compositions are inspired by birdsong; he founded the ensemble The Conference of Birds, and founded a charitable initiative, Planet Birdsong (www.planetbirdsong.org), which promotes education and global communication through birdsong. With his sister Liz, Peter leads Birdsong and Music walking tours in Spain and Italy (www.theconferenceofbirds.com). This is Peter’s fourth visit to The Limes.




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