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Rebecca Evans (soprano)

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Rebecca Evans
CBE
Evans in 2006
Born1963 (age 60–61)
Pontrhydyfen, West Glamorgan, Wales
Alma materGuildhall School of Music and Drama
OccupationSinger
Evans singing Alle Voci del Bronzo Guerriero by George Frideric Handel
Recorded 1995

Rebecca Ann Evans CBE is a Welsh operatic soprano.

Life and career

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Evans was born in Pontrhydyfen.[1] She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.[2]

Evans has performed as Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro) for the Santa Fe Opera; Adele (Die Fledermaus) for the Chicago Lyric Opera; Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Ann Trulove (The Rake's Progress) and Adina (L'elisir d'amore) for San Francisco Opera; and both Susanna and Zerlina for the Metropolitan Opera, New York.

She has appeared at the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh Festival; at a Gala Concert to celebrate the opening of the Welsh Assembly in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales; and in Bremen with Andrea Bocelli and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Her recordings include Ilia (Idomeneo), Pamina (The Magic Flute) and Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro) for Chandos; Nanetta (Falstaff) for Decca, and a solo recording of Italian songs for EMI. She has also recorded three soprano parts in a series of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: the Plaintiff in Trial by Jury, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore. She participated in the second recording of Delius's Requiem (1996, under Richard Hickox). She has also sung Belinda in the BBC film of Dido and Aeneas and hosted the BBC television series A Touch of Classics with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. She was also a guest artist on the 2008 BBC2 series Maestro[3] presented by Clive Anderson.

Evans married Stephen Jones in 1997, and they have one son, William. They live in Penarth, South Wales.

Honours and awards

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Evans is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Music, from the University of Glamorgan in 1997. She is also vice-president of the Welsh homelessness charity Shelter Cymru and Patron of Music in Hospitals Cymru/Wales.

On 1 May 2009, Evans was awarded an honorary degree Doctor of Music from the University of Wales.[4]

Evans was appointed by the Eisteddfod as a member of the Gorsedd of Bards. Created in 1792 as celebration of Welsh heritage, the Gorsedd are those who have contributed significantly to Welsh culture.[5]

Morriston Orpheus Choir Supporters' Association (MOCSA) Young Welsh Singer of the Year 1989[6]

Evans was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to the arts in Wales.[7]

Opera recordings

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Title Year Label
The Pearl Fishers 2008 Chandos
The Pilgrim's Progress
Hugh the Drover 1994 Hyperion
La bohème 2005 Chandos
The Magic Flute 2006
Sofonisba 2007
The Marriage of Figaro
Fidelio 2008
Falstaff 2006
Idomeneo
Hansel and Gretel 2007

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rebecca Evans (soprano).
  1. ^ "Wales 'slow' in honouring Burton". BBC. 13 December 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  2. ^ Smith, Mike (30 March 2008). "Rebecca Evans worried for new opera singers". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Opera stars join Maestro". BBC. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Mr D Hugh Thomas CBE DL, presenting Rebecca Evans for admission to the honorary degree of Doctor of Music". wales.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  5. ^ Western Mail[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Competition". Morriston Orpheus Choir. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  7. ^ "No. 63135". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 October 2020. p. B9.
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