A Chorus for Emma
Saturday 8 February 2025 at 6pm
St Matthias’ Church, Stoke Newington
Join us for a truly special evening of music to honour the memory of the much-beloved Scottish Mezzo Soprano, Emma Kerr (1987–2021), at St Matthias Church, Wordsworth Road, N16 8DD, on Saturday 8 February 2025 at 6pm.
A message from Michelle Williams, Director of Artistic Administration:
Emma Kerr was an exceptionally talented Mezzo Soprano who I followed the development of during her time as a student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Early in her career whilst still a student she was an Alvarez Young Artist at Garsington Opera during the 2012 Season. In one of my previous roles, as Head of Casting at Scottish Opera, she was one of the first Emerging Artists who joined the programme when I took up the position. It was wonderful watching her develop further and flourish through small scale productions like Opera Highlights and Così fan tutte which toured around the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, as well as on the main stage in productions such as Rusalka, The Mikado and The Trial. When I moved to English National Opera I was delighted to offer Emma a role in the world premiere opera by composer Nico Muhly of Marnie, with accessories we could only dream of owning, like Prada shoes and handbags that were locked up at the end of every performance. Regularly now, in casting meetings I often think ‘You know who would have been great in that role, Emma Kerr’. Emma was such a brilliant talent with a wicked sense of humour and I would be delighted if you could join us for this concert where her beloved friends will be performing in her memory.
The concert is being organised by three former Alvarez Young Artists, and the line-up of performers include many familiar faces to Garsington Opera audiences, including former Head of Music, Susanna Stranders. The list of performers include:
Nick Allen, Lucy Anderson, Catherine Backhouse, Ian Beadle, Natalia Brzezinska, Samantha Crawford, Kamilla Dunstan, Ella de Jongh, Thomas Elwin, Matthew Fletcher, Alessandro Fisher, Clare Ghigo, Katie Grosset, Lucy Hall, Edward Hawkins, Sky Ingram, Niel Joubert, Elizabeth Karani, Charlotte King, Jerome Knox, Alison Langer, Piran Legg, Rosie Lomas, Elizabeth Lynch, Jade Moffat, Claudia Myles, Timothy Nelson, Aidan Oliver, Anna Patalong, Lliam Paterson, Natalya Romaniw, Laura Ruhi Vidal, Frazer Scott, Collin Shay, Dan Shelvy, James Sherlock, Julia Sitkovetsky, Samuel Smith, Susanna Stranders, Adam Sullivan, Elgan Llŷr Thomas, Alice Turner, Ciara White, and Rick Zwart.
Funds Raised: The Emma Kerr Classical Singing Award
Ticket proceeds from this event will support the inaugural Emma Kerr Classical Singing Award, which helps aspiring young Scottish Mezzo Sopranos. This award enables them to attend the prestigious Oxenfoord Summer School, a registered charity (SC049216) held annually in Scotland. Here, students have the opportunity to work with world-class industry professionals, just as Emma did, helping them shape their own musical journeys.