Archive for May, 2010
by Juliette | 05.24.10 | Domestic Diva, Latest News
I took James to see The Habit of Art last week. It’s a new play by Alan Bennett and is largely based on the relationship between Auden and Britten and as I’ve sung several of the results of their collaborations, it was of particular interest to me. It is funny, extremely funny in fact, but I always take a while to start laughing out loud in the theatre and am therefore surprised by those near me who guffaw within 1 minute of the curtain going up. It really puts me off getting my laughing gear into action, as if I’m inhibited by their lack of inhibitions…
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Tags: Alan Bennett, Conductors, Richard Griffiths, The Habit of Art, Withnail and I
by Juliette | 05.17.10 | Domestic Diva, Performances, Twin news
Poor James, from the sublime of Rachmaninov ….
After a weekend of wonderful Rachmaninov concerts he is currently conducting over 1400 kids in the Albert Hall. He tried to get out of it but they always get you morally with these education projects –very hard to say no and feel good about yourself. Apparently the kids are fine, it’s the teachers that are the problem, they all want to play and perform in the concert despite James gently (and then more forcefully) pointing out that it’s supposed to be for the kids…
I gave him my favourite joke of the moment to use on them in times of stress:
Why did Piglet put his head down the toilet? More »
Tags: great ormond street, rachmaninov vespers, Royal Albert Hall
by Juliette | 05.10.10 | Latest News, Performances, Twin news
Bit of a hectic week this one. Twins have their first appointment at Great Ormond Street on Wednesday, got the big-wig from Decca here on Thursday to hear Gemma in action and then I’m singing the Rachmaninov Vespers on Friday and Saturday down at the Brighton Festival. My voice is not sounding it’s best due to some sleepless nights with Arthur who has been put on steroids as he ended up with some breathing difficulties after a chest infection. Much better now so I’m hoping to get my voice back in good order by Friday.
Rachmaninov Vespers (written in 1915 -I think) are really low for a mezzo and if I’m not careful I try to over darken my voice to get the Russian correct and end up sounding like I’m pretending to be a Bond girl villain – not the desired effect for such an atmospheric and reflective work!! It’s a great piece. Written against the backdrop of war and revolution, it harks back to centuries old eastern orthodox chant. Unlike anything else he wrote that I know and in my opinion, a masterpiece. More »
by Juliette | 05.01.10 | Latest News, Record Producing, Twin news
Not sure whether I have mentioned Gemma Sampson yet. If you follow X Factor (don’t worry, your secret is safe with me) she took part last year with the group, Misfitz (singing our version of the Britney Spears song, Toxic). Anyway, she is currently on a development deal with Decca and we are recording a couple of tracks for her which we were supposed to be finishing this week. She is a great singer, a kind of female Bublé crossed with Shirley Bassey and blessed with the looks of Halle Berry. (I know, life isn’t fair, eh.) Unfortunately though, she doesn’t have everything – she has lost her voice. We recorded all the backing though and put the most amazing trumpeter on Stray Cat Strut. He sounds like Kenny Baker, brilliant, fat and squealy. Can’t wait to put Gemma on next week now.
Boys saw the consultant at Kings who is monitoring their development on Tuesday and he was generally really More »
Tags: Britney Spears, Decca development deal, Stray Cat Strut, X Factor
I took James to see The Habit of Art last week. It’s a new play by Alan Bennett and is largely based on the relationship between Auden and Britten and as I’ve sung several of the results of their collaborations, it was of particular interest to me. It is funny, extremely funny in fact, but I always take a while to start laughing out loud in the theatre and am therefore surprised by those near me who guffaw within 1 minute of the curtain going up. It really puts me off getting my laughing gear into action, as if I’m inhibited by their lack of inhibitions… 
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