Take a rest from Christmas preparations to enjoy a feast of songs at Ventnor Winter Gardens on Sunday 20th December at 3pm.

The second of the new series of ‘Sunday Classics’ – free concerts for all to enjoy – will feature Island mezzo-soprano Hannah Brear with Richard Wiseman at the piano.

They will present an entertaining range of songs from composers such as Bach, Schubert and Handel with favourites from Puccini, as well as some jazz.

Hannah promises some Christmas spice sprinkled in after an interval where mince pies and mulled wine will be available in the Winter Gardens Café. The monthly series is supporting the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and there will be a retiring collection.

Background

Originally from Ventnor, Hannah Brear has performed as soloist with the National Youth Choir, and recently sang with the BBC Singers.

Whilst living in the south of France, she worked as Principal Voice Coach for the Choir of the Conservatoire of Music, Perpignan, and performed with Montpelier Opera and the Paris Conservatoire of Music.

Hannah’s accompanist, Richard Wiseman, studied Music at the Universities of Leeds, Huddersfield and Durham, gaining a degree and Masters in Performance, specialising in 20th Century Music.

Before moving to the Island he worked in many musical fields, and particularly enjoyed a two and a half year “stretch” teaching a women’s choir at HMP Newhall (Wakefield)! He now teaches music at Medina High School and the Island’s Music Centre.

Hannah says, “I feel honoured to have been asked to take part in this recital series, not only to support such a wonderful charity but to return “home” to perform amongst friends and family.”

Image: wlodi under CC BY-SA 2.0