#marybevan

Bath MozartFest 11 November 2017

Concert 13 November 2017

We get to know soloist Mary Bevan. Mary is performing Britten's Les Illuminations with us in our December 4th concert...

What has been the highlight of your singing career so far?

I think in terms of roles on the operatic stage that I've performed, doing Susanna at ENO is right up there (I've just finished an 11 show run of Fiona Shaw's brilliant production). It's a role I've always wanted to do, and this cast was a very special one, which just made it all the more enjoyable. Making my debut at the ROH was also a pretty special moment for me - having gone there to watch operas as a teenager, I really never imagined that I would sing there myself one day, so to do that was quite an amazing feeling. 

Which musician most inspires you?

I don't think there's one particular musician who constantly inspires me - I would say that I'm inspired by the musicians I meet every week in different situations. Singers, instrumentalists, composers, the conductors I work with; I know how difficult it is to make it in the music world so I always find myself looking at these people and wondering what they went through and how hard they worked to get where they are. That inspires me to keep going and improve myself all the time. 

What do you do when you’re not singing?

I look after my 4 year-old son, I try and get as much sleep as I can (!), I go to the pub, I watch terrible films, I cook and I go around charity shops! 

What goes through your mind right before you step on stage for a performance?

I think I used to have nothing going through my head, just a jumble of thoughts about the piece I'm about to perform, who's in the audience, did I sort out tickets for people, are my shoes uncomfortable, that kind of thing. But I've recently started to be a bit more calm and composed, and have been doing slow breathing exercises and little vocal warm-up tricks that will make singing that first phrase easier and therefore set me up for a good performance. 

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

I try not to wear myself out and talk too much before a performance and I've also recently started doing some stretching and deep breathing. This is probably stuff I should have been doing for years but I never did! It does help a lot though. Other than that I just try to calm myself as much as possible and get myself into a place where I can enjoy the music for what it is without letting my thoughts get in the way. 

Why should people come to see this concert?

Well, the piece that I'm performing in (Britten's Les Illuminations) is a wonderful one, full of variety, so many colours and instrumental textures, and in my opinion is one of Britten's most interesting works for solo voice and well worth hearing. I'm not familiar with the Tchaikovsky and the Mussorgsky, but I've known Chris Hopkins for years and he is an excellent musician - I'm sure he'll be doing something special with them! 

Want to see Mary perform with Orchestra of the City? You can get advance price tickets by clicking the link below.

St James's, Piccadilly - Thursday 4th December 7:30pm

Advance prices £12/£8

On the door £15/£10