Chorleywood based opera singer Andrew Shore has recently become a Patron of Watford Philharmonic Society. The internationally renowned baritone says he is honoured to have been invited to carry out the role,
“ I’m looking forward to taking an active part, either performing or helping with preparations.”
Andrew, who has lived in Chorleywood since the early 80s, has been to many of the Society’s concerts over the years.
“Watford Phil’ is one of the biggest choral societies in the country with 170 members. They are in their 81st season and have a nice steady influx of younger people joining. They are known not only for doing standard choral pieces, but also
tackling out-of-the-ordinary works like Belshazzar’s Feast by English composer William Walton.”
Andrew is currently playing the role of Pooh-Bah in Scottish Opera’s production of The Mikado.
“I have performed in so many operas but it’s only my second principal role in a Gilbert and Sullivan production since Uni! The other is the Major-General in Pirates of Penzance” (coming again to English National Opera next Spring).
Singing, he says, can be challenging but exciting.
“ When you perform you think yourself into the words and project to the audience with expression in your eyes but the special thing is the unspoken telepathic connection with the conductor. The stronger the line of contact, the better the
result. One of my guilty pleasures is singing in a choir, it was part of my upbringing, it’s great fun, there’s nothing like sharing vocal harmonies. Anyone interested in having a go should do the Come and Sing Workshop in June. It promises to be a very enjoyable day.”
www.watfordphilharmonic.co.uk.
June performances
Sat 18 June: Come and Sing Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man workshop. with performance The Arena, Bushey Academy, WD23 3AA, £20 (students £5) . 07546 112321
Wed 29 June: Proms at The Colosseum including Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Parry’s Jerusalem, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance and more