KATHRYN RUDGE

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Mezzo soprano Kathryn Rudge was born in Liverpool in 1986. Named as The Times ‘Rising Star of Classical Music and ‘One of Britain’s brightest young mezzos’ (What’s On Stage) Rudge is a versatile artist; performing to critical acclaim in operas, song recitals and orchestral concerts nationally and internationally, with a growing discography of orchestral, oratorio, opera and song repertoire recordings. Her voice is celebrated by audiences and critics alike and is described as having, “tremendous reserves of power, impeccable intonation, the capacity for a gloriously sustained legato and, most interesting of all, a distinctive vocal quality. The timbre has white-hot intensity…” (The Times)

Rudge was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist (2015-17), English National Opera Harewood Artist, YCAT Artist and she is an Associate Artist of Royal Northern College of Music where she studied voice with Susan Roper (2004-11). She was nominated for a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and is the recipient of numerous awards including; a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Award, BBC Education Bursary, Susan Chilcott Scholarship, The Joaninah Trust Award, Kathleen Ferrier Bursary, Joyce Budd Award, Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal and the Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Richard Strauss.

“This charismatic singer, with her immaculate diction, knows how to stir the heart, and one hardly dares to predict what is to come.” (Opera Magazine)

Full Biography

Opera

Kathryn made her operatic debut as Cherubino in Fiona Shaw’s new production of Mozart’s ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ in 2012 and has since performed in principal roles including; Rosina in Jonathan Miller’s production of Rossini’s ‘The Barber of Seville’ (ENO). Cherubino ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ Glyndebourne on Tour, Dorabella in Mozart’s ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ Garsington Opera, Zerlina Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’, Hermia in Britten’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ Sesto Handel’s ‘Guilio Cesare,’ Annio in Mozart’s ‘La Clemenza di Tito’ for Opera North. Kathryn performed the title role in Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ with the British Paraorchestra conducted by Charles Hazlewood at Glastonbury and at RNCM she also performed the role of Erika in Barber’s ‘Vanessa’. Helena (Offenbach’s La Belle Helene), Olga (Tchaikovsky Eugene Onegin) at Haddo House. She has performed and recorded the following operas for Opera Rara in concert; Leoncavallo – ‘Zaza’ BBC Symphony Orchestra (Opera Rara) Bellini ‘Adeslon e Salvini’ BBC Symphony Orchestra (Opera Rara). Donizetti’s ‘Il Paria’ conducted by Sir Mark Elder will be released in January 2021. 

“The Biggest news of the evening is the Liverpudlian mezzo Kathryn Rudge. Her cleanly produced tone, sensitive colouring of words..combine with a vividly attractive stage personality to make something special” The Telegraph

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Concert

Kathryn made her BBC Proms debut in 2016 singing Rossini’s ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’ at Old Royal Naval Chapel in Greenwich with BBC Singers, conducted by David Hill. She returned to the Proms in 2019 to perform Mozart’s Requiem at Royal Albert Hall with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and BBC Singers conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann (BBC4). She regularly performs at major concert venues and she has performed as soloist with all of the BBC Orchestras under the baton of conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Ben Gernon, Bramwell Tovey, Paul McCreesh, Barry Wordsworth, Daniele Rustioni, Renato Balsadonna, John Wilson, Sir Andrew Davis, Maurizio Benini, Yan Pascal Tortelier.  

Concerts include;  Vaughan Williams’ ‘Serenade to Music’ with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Castillo y León and the Halle Chorus and Mahler’s Symphony No.2 at Kings College Chapel, Cambridge with conductor Andrew Gourlay.  Berlioz ‘Les Nuits d’ete’ with Philharmonia orchestra at Gloucester Cathedral for Three Choirs Festival conducted by Martyn Brabbins. Rudge has performed at the Houses of Parliament for ‘BBC Radio 3 Live from the House.’ Westminster Chapel with the Band of the Household Cavalry (Classic FM) WW2 remembrance concert. UK National Concert Tours include; Noah Stewart ‘Without a Song Tour ‘ and soloist with Sir Karl Jenkins on several UK tours including ‘The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace’ since 2013.  Kathryn’s first orchestral concerts as a soloist were aged 17 with; Northern Chamber Orchestra at Houghton Tower and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Peak and open-air concerts with Carl Davis at Southport Festival and Leeds Castle and as Britannia in ‘Liverpool the Musical’ at the opening of the Echo Arena Liverpool with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.   

Kathryn recently sang the role of Methuselah in Parry’s oratorio ‘Judith’ for the world premier recording with a performance of at Royal Festival Hall, conducted by William Vann. She has performed Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius (Angel); for ‘Easter at Kings’ College Cambridge (BBC Radio 3) and with Hamburg Symphony Orchestra at the Rheingau Music Festival, Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra at Birmingham Symphony Hall and at the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford with The Bach Choir. Kathryn has performed  ‘Sea Pictures’ with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of Opera North and she performed and recorded Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’ and ‘The Music Maker’s’ with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Vasily Petrenko.

 

 

 

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Love's Old Sweet Song

Kathryn has given song recitals and concerts at major venues and festivals including; Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, Leighton House, The Sage Gateshead, Cadogan Hall and Bridgewater Hall. UK music festivals have including: Oxford Lieder, Ryedale, Pembroke College Cambridge, Brighton, City of London, Cheltenham, English Music, Portico of Ards, Lake District, Chester, Windsor Festival, Uppermill and Live at St Wilfred’s.   

Critically acclaimed recordings of English songs by Donald Swann’ and Eric Coates (Somm) with pianist Christopher Glynn (Hyperion) and her debut recital disc ‘Love’s Old Sweet Song‘ with pianist James Baillieu (Champs Hill Records) are available.

 “Whether or not you have any interest in English Song, if you like exceptionally thoughtful music-making, this album is for you…outstanding performances of every piece.” American Record Guide. 

 

 

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Contemporary Music

Kathryn’s collaboration with contemporary composers includes world premiers of;  Roxanna Panufnik’s composition ‘Love Sought’ (broadcast BBC Radio 3) ‘The Sound of Shakespeare’ at RSC. Along with chamber works by Kenneth Hesketh ‘Tall Tales Small Tales’ with RLPO 10/10. Kathryn performed and recorded Michael Nyman’s Symphony No. 11 Hillsborough Memorial with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at Liverpool Cathedral (released 2014 MNRecords) and ‘Two Sonnets for Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz’ (BBC Radio 3).  Kathryn premiered Sir Karl Jenkins’  ‘Lament for Syria’ with lyrics by Amineh Abou Kerech at Cardiff City Halls with cellist Abel Selaocoe and BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC Radio 3). Kathryn’s recording of composer Gary Carpenter’s song cycle “Love’s Eternity” with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Clark Rundell is now available. 

“Carpenter has produced something special..in which Kathryn Rudge excels…sometimes, listening to music can be so devastating on the emotions. There is beauty and solace here.” Classical Source

 

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Kathryn Rudge

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