I shall be uploading new pictures around the site, but in the meantime, if you are in London and are looking for an excellent photographer who specialises in performers,  have a look at http://www.jamesbramley.net/

The poem was written after Constance travelled from Bristol, no less, to watch the performance in Inverness.
It is absolutely thrilling to be immortalized in poetry!
Thank you so much, Connie.

ON WATCHING MICHELLE CRESSIDA IN INVERNESS

As the sounds of an aria rise and fall,

I sit entranced, watching all,

Michelle Cressida singing on stage,

All doubts and problems now assuage.

From the shy unassuming teenage girl,

She has this Invernessian audience here in a whirl,

She’s returned to the Highlands polished and honed,

To put back the beliefs, which in the past she’d loaned.

The investment the local Education Office had laid,

Before her – she certainly has now repaid,

Her soaring voice – her sparkling eyes,

Interaction with audience – what a surprise.

How the girl to woman has flourished and grown,

Her talents transcending – all her own,

Hidden within the truculent child,

Wilful and determined – almost wild.

But the driving force of her talents within,

Had to find their own way out – to adult’s chagrin,

But hard work and dedication through many years,

Long hours of practice – laughter and tears,

Has worked its magic – for now before me I see,

The polished and talented woman that Michelle had turned out to be!!

Her rapport with the people, so fresh and such fun,

She reaches out – they travel along with her – to walk or run,

She imparts the deep love and the joy that she feels,

For her music and singing – how she really deals,

With people’s emotions – lifting them high,

Bringing knowledge and awareness – making them sigh,

The gift of understanding delivered with each note,

Enlightening with explanations in between, that float,

On a cloud of euphoric enjoyment and thrills,

The joys of the opera – she now instils,

To men and women, who perhaps never knew,

Storylines and meanings, she now sends through,

From stage to audience and round this great hall,

She’s admired and appreciated by one and all.

So well done Michelle – your homecoming to give,

A glimpse of your talents – for all who live,

In the bonnie Scottish Highlands, your home town of Inverness,

You came back and oh so lovingly did possess,

The admiration and respect of everyone there,

Your singing and stagecraft, with them to share.

So now Michelle, you stand on the threshold – let’s see,

Where your work and your talents will lead infinitely,

The world is your oyster – let your talents take flight,

Go forward tomorrow – creating delight,

All over the world – you’re ready to go,

Bringing heavenly music to mortals below,

You lift them above their daily toil – it’s their choice,

When they come and listen in fascination to your wonderful voice.

Constance

Review from Highland News on the Volute Duo’s concert in the Spectrum Centre in Inverness

Operatic treats

PERHAPS the catch – or the bonus – for sponsoring the VOLUTE DUO’S charity concert last Saturday, was getting the chance to be serenaded onstage by the ladies’ glorious voices!

Inverness businessman Lenny Cameron and another gentleman from the crowd certainly looked as if they were enjoying the experience – and Mozart’s music from Cosi fan Tutte.

And it rounded off an afternoon of opera gems chosen for maximum listening pleasure by soprano Michelle Cressida and mezzo soprano Marina Barker with sensitive accompaniment from Sheila Bruce on piano, the singers achieved a perfect balance when it came to setting the scene for each piece with enough background to understand what was going on.
Highlights included a ravishing performance of The Flower Duet from Lakme, better-known these days as the soundtrack to British Airways TV ads!

Donations from the enthusiastic crowd who had turned out for the afternoon show will go to the Rainbow Ward and SCBU at Raigmore Hospital. MC

Michelle Cressida – Marina Barker

Volute Duo

Appeared as guests of

Inverness and Nairn Soroptimists

Accompanied by Sheila Bruce

Venue:

Spectrum Centre

Margaret Street,
Inverness

Saturday 24th April, 2010 – 2pm
(doors open 1.30pm)

Entry was by donation

Proceeds to:
The Rainbow Ward, President Marianne’s charity
and
Special Care Baby Unit at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness

Sponsorship of the event was kindly made by:
Lenny Cameron of Cameron’s the Barber – Inverness

The Artistes met members of the audience and guests in:

“The Hidden Gem Coffee Shop”
During the 15 minute Interval and for 30 minutes at the end of the Concert

The event Promotional Poster can be downloaded from the following link:

Volute-duo-A4-2

Michelle Cressida

Throughout her time in London, Michelle has been given tuition from many great masters in the profession. Julius Drake, Pat MacMahon, Neil Mackie and Richard Jackson are some of the names who have given guidance. At present she studies with Jane Stevenson, Liz Rowe (NOS, ROH), Alex Ingram (ENO, ROH) and Stuart Gardner (La Scala).

Michelle’s performing experience has taken her all over the British Isles, Ireland and America. Repertoire has included traditional folk songs to grand opera.  She made her debut as Queen of the Night with Thames Valley Opera in 2007.  She has performed with Morley Opera, London Opera, Vox Lirica and appeared with Situation Opera in December 2009.

In addition to her operatic work Michelle has recently enjoyed recital work in London and Essex with performers such as Zoe Challenor, Penny Manser, Daniel Swain and Marina Barker.

Marina and Michelle appear in the recently created Volute Duo which will perform in venues throughout the UK and are at present planning a tour in Australia.