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The English soprano, Helen Neeves, began her training in music and performance at the University of York (Ba Hons, Music, 1989-1992), followed by two years at the Royal College of Music in London (Post Graduate Study, Singing, 1996-1998). She studied with Julie Kennard,. After leaving York she continued to perform therte regularly, in particular with the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists.
Helen Neeves is a gifted soprano who relishes any opportunity to communicate the essential magic of music to her audience. She has many years’ experience as a solo and consort singer encompassing concert work, CD recordings and radio broadcasts, particularly in the fields of Baroque and Classical music. A versatil soprano, her repertoire includes Purcell' Dido and Aeneas and King Arthur, Blow's Venus and Adonis, Haydn's Nelson Mass and Stabat Mater, W.A. Mozart's C minor Mass and Exultate Jubilate, Gabriel Fauré's Requiem, Marcel Dupré's De Prufundis, George Frideric Handel's Samson and Messiah, Charpantier's Acteon, J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) and John Rutter's Magnificat.
Having recently joined the BBC Singers (February 2014), Helen Neeves is enjoying the variety this brings to her singing life. She works with many different vocal ensembles such as I Fagiolini, The Sixteen, Gabrieli Consort, and Britten Sinfonia Voices. She has sung many times with the Clerks Group and has frequently recorded with them..
Being a real fan of Jane Austen novels, it is a pleasure to be involved in a series of recitals with pianist Samantha Carrasco, featuring works from the esteemed author's own music collection. Venues have included Winchester College, Hatchland’s Park and the Turner Simms Concert Hall at Southampton University.
Recent solo work includes George Frideric Handel's Messiah in York with the Northern Sinfonia, and Haydn's Nelson Mass with Banbury Choral Society. During May 2014 she joined Ampthill Choral Society for a performance of G.F. Handel's Samson. Later in the year she sang John Rutter's Magnificat and J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) with the Neubrandenburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. During April 2014 she sang J.S. Bach's St John Passion (BWV 245) with the Britten Sinfonia Voices and in September participated in the posthumous world premier of Tavener's Flood of Beauty in the Barbican. Having recently taken part in a recording of Wilbye's music with I Fagiolini, Helen will also be joining them next year (2015) for another recording, this time of French music.
Helen Neeves's discography includes: a collection of works by Robert Saxton and Gabrial Jackson for the Clerks Group; the critically acclaimed recording of Striggio's Mass in 40 parts with I Fagiolini; Marcel Dupré's De Prufundis, J.S. Bach's early version of Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244b) with Peter Seymour and Yorkshire Baroque Soloists. |
