Programme :
Jean-Philippe Rameau – Rossignols amoureux
From ‘Hippolyte et Aricie’, Act V, last scene
Théodore Jean-Baptiste Weckelin – Bergerettes, romances et chansons du XVIIIè siècle
“Nanette’’, No. 17
“Jeunes fillettes’’, No. 9
“Maman, dites-moi’’, No. 10
Camille Saint-Saëns
“Le bonheur est chose légère“;
“L’attente“
Albert Roussel – Deux poèmes de Ronsard
“Rossignol, mon mignon”, Op. 26, No. 1
“Ciel, aer et vens”, Op. 26, No. 2
Claude Debussy – “Syrinx”, L. 129
Marie-Joseph Canteloube de Malaret – Chants d’Auvergne
L’Aïo dè rotso’’, No. 3a, 1ère Série
“La Pastrouletta è lou chibalié’’, No. 3, 2è Série
“Baïlèro”, No. 2, 1ère Série
Jacques Offenbach – Les oiseaux dans la charmille
Aria of Olympia from ‘Les Contes d’Hoffmann’, Act I, scene 8
Born in Perpignan and brought up in the Auvergne, Caroline Beltra graduated from La Sorbonne with a degree in archaeology. However, her passion for music, literature and languages led her to follow in the footsteps of celebrated French coloratura sopranos such as Lily Pons, Mady Mesplé, and Mado Robin. She began studying voice at the Academy for Contemporary Music in London before moving to Edinburgh to further her studies. During the pandemic, she had a unique opportunity to develop her instrument and artistry, especially by studying German Lieder and French Melodies. Post- lockdown, she began working with pianist Ailsa Aikenhead and they have performed together in several concerts since then.
Ailsa Aitkenhead is a classical pianist based in Edinburgh. She is a masters graduate with distinction from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, a professional piano accompanist, repetiteur and soloist. Ailsa is a frequent performer across Scotland. She has performed with Edinburgh Society of Musicians; Greyfriars kirk; St Michael and All Saints Edinburgh festival concert series; Balerno Music Festival; Scottish Arts Club and many more. She has a wide range of duos and collaborations in performance. Recent highlights have included a radio broadcast on BBC Classics Unwrapped with soprano Jessica Leary and clarinettist Jean Johnson; the best- selling recital at Chamber Music Scotland’s ‘At One With Music’ series; and a performance as soloist in Rhapsody in Blue with Edinburgh University Sinfonia.
Camille Curtis graduated with a First Class BMus Honours degree from Edinburgh University and a scholarship to study flute with Karen Jones and piccolo with Patricia Morris at the Royal Academy of Music (London). She completed her Master’s Degree in 2020, with high commendations in the prestigious flute and piccolo prizes. During her time in Edinburgh, she won the Tovey Memorial Prize, the Sir Thomas Beecham Award, and the Erasmus Exchange position to study abroad in Aix-en-Provence. As a professional, she has established herself as a flute and piano teacher in Berkshire and the Headington School in Oxford where she devotes time and energy to community programmes such as SEND which engages young people and vulnerable adults. A keen performer, Camille has worked with cellist Steven Isserlis in Sherborne Abbey and the Queen’s College Choir Oxford this year. She is also a founding member of the quintet Chiltern Winds.
