And it’s a lucky 13th for Alfie Boe’s US fans – now we know that the gap in Alfie’s schedule later this year is because he’s returning to Les Mis…on Broadway! His first performance is 1 September, following Ramin Karimloo’s departure on 30 August. Anyone from the UK made travel plans yet?
Also, this week, we saw another video from Pete Townshend promoting the forthcoming Classic Quadrophenia – although we see Alfie briefly, we also hear him all the way through:
Lastly, Alfie was in the news following an interview he gave at the Nordoff Robbins choir event a few weeks ago, regarding music education in the UK. As befits a newly appointed patron of the BD Music Hub, Alfie talked about the need for more investment in music education in the UK. As it happens, I know a fair amount about this very subject as I am currently heavily involved in raising funds for specialist music education at my son’s primary school. The national curriculum requires all schools to provide music education but does not give them any money with which to provide this education. Hence my son’s school pledges to raise £15,000 each year to fund a part time specialist teacher – it’s hard work so anyone highlighting this issue gets a big thank you from me! Click here to read the article.
Don’t forget to watch Alfie at the VE 70 celebrations tomorrow evening – 8.30pm UK time!
An exciting week – three more events added to the Alfie Boe Upcoming Events page! One of them has already been and gone (more of that shortly) but the other two are an outdoor concert in Swansea on 21 June and Chris Evans announced yesterday that Alfie will take part in the VE Day 70 Celebrations in London on 9 May.
The first new event took place today in the courtyard of Somerset House, London and saw Alfie sing with the Nordoff Robbins choir and Miel de Botton. In his role as Nordoff Robbins Ambassador, Alfie sang a couple of songs (Oh When The Saints and Enjoy Yourself) with the choir and acted as cheerleader in chief for the remainder of the performance. Luckily, Nikki Lewis was on hand to record the first song – thanks Nikki:
Afterwards, I caught up with him for a few minutes and talk turned to this blog – imagine my face when Alfie said that he loves it and that he reads it every day! We also talked about how he broke my twitter account over Easter when he tweeted me…that produced a giggle or two! Thanks for the compliment Alfie, much appreciated.
If you haven’t yet joined the official facebook fan group, what are you waiting for? Alfie told me today that he’s really keen for everyone to be part of it so come and join us – click here for more information.
For more information on how to support Nordoff Robbins, click here.
Soprano Laura Wright is a firm favourite with readers of this blog – in fact, her rendition of Barcelona was voted into the top five of the Alfie Boe’s Favourite Duet poll. Come What May made the top ten as well.
Laura recently took part in the recording of Global Radio’s Make Some Noise charity single, Steadfast and took time out to answer a few questions about this and her new album, Sound of Strength, for thoughtsofjustafan – thanks Laura!
Q: What can you tell me about your involvement with Make Some Noise? A: I am recording a charity single with Classic FM, written by Howard Goodall to raise awareness of this amazing project to encourage young people to get involved in creating music but also helping to educate them on the music industry. Q. Have you been involved with any other ensemble charity recordings like this?
A: I have yes, I recorded the 2007 World Cup song World in Union with many other artists, when I was part of All Angels. I also recorded a version of The Prayer for a Christmas charity single as well with All Angels, however this will be my first solo involvement in a ensemble charity recording. Q: You are also an ambassador for Nordoff Robbins, have you had the chance to see their music therapy at work?
A: I have attended several therapy sessions and seen the work Nordoff Robbins do. My most recent visit was to a dementia care home. I began singing with some of the residents and suddenly they came to life, it was like seeing a glimpse of the person they used to be. Q: Are there any more marathons in the pipeline?
A: Not as of yet however we are planning an even bigger challenge, so you’ll have to wait and see. Q: Your Sound of Strength album has a really innovative sound – how did you come up with the idea?
A: It’s a reflection of myself really…fusing my two passions in life, sport and music. I wanted to do something that was inspiring, something new and innovative. I wanted the album to have excitement, beauty and to empower the listener. Q: And how did you pick Dr. Karageorghis to help you?
A: I had heard about some of his work with Dai Greene [World 400m hurdles champion, where he created a playlist to enhance the athlete’s performance. I wanted to back up my creative thoughts with something scientific and Dr. Karageorghis seemed the right choice to help sequence the album and show that music can enhance someone’s emotions. Q: Nessun Dorma was my favourite track, the first time I’ve heard a soprano sing this. What was the inspiration behind the choice?
A: A lot of the music on the album has been inspired by sporting moments. For me, one of the most powerful moments in sporting history when referring to music was when Nessun Dorma was sung by the three tenors for the football world cup. A perfect example of sport and music combining to create something extremely powerful. I wanted to recreate that moment but with a female voice and driving beats. My three elder brothers also feature on the track as backing vocalists. Q: Apart from Sound of Strength, what can audiences expect on your 2015 tour?
A: Of course I’ll be reflecting on my first two albums and performing some of the music recorded with the RPO and Anna Barry, along with some of my favourites from Glorious. As well as music from my latest album Sound of Strength… I want to create something very dramatic through sporting references. I aim to help bring the audience back to a point when these sporting moments took place, via the power of music. Q: As this is your first headline tour, what do you think will be the hardest / easiest things?
A: The hardest…to find a gym near every venue..haha! It’s always a challenge being away from home, but I look forward to my date in Ipswich when my family and friends will be coming. Q: Fans voted your Barcelona duet with Alfie Boe, in their top 5 Alfie Boe duets (Come What May made the top 10) – tell me how was it to sing that iconic song?
A: Wow! Thank you!! I was incredibly nervous about singing it, but so excited too! And to sing such a historically important song at a Freddie Mercury function with Alfie, was for me a very special moment! I remembering coming off stage on such a high…I think I had heat rash! Q: Any plans to sing with / record with Alfie again – Alfie Boe fans have a lot of love for you!
A: We recently performed World in Union together at Jonny Wilkinson’s Testimonial dinner which was so much fun. Alfie and I always have such fun on stage so whenever there is an opportunity to sing with him, I feel very lucky!
Well, Alfie’s fans also feel very lucky to be able to enjoy Alfie and Laura singing, here they are in 2012 singing Come What May:
Thanks Laura – hope to see you sing with Alfie again very soon!
Laura’s album, Sound of Strength, can be ordered now from Amazon:
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This post is dedicated to wishing Alfie a very happy 41st birthday – hoping you had a lovely day Alfie! With any luck you’ve had the day off as you really have been working hard lately…which is all good for us Alfie Boe fans! Just this week we’ve had the pleasure of listening to Alfie on BBC Radio Devon and the absolute beauty of Addio Sogni and Chitarra Romana at Classic FM Live (thanks to Marcia for sharing):
I asked Alfie fans to choose a song that Alfie would like on his birthday blog and thank you to Sylvia who remembered that he picked Song to the Siren as a favourite in a recent interview (don’t ask me which one). And then I remembered Alfie’s own video featuring this song, so this time it’s thanks Alfie for sharing!
As usual, Alfie Boe celebrates his birthday this year by asking fans to donate to Nordoff Robbins charity. And a massive shout out to Alfie fans from as far away as Alaska who are walking the Cotswold Way, starting today and raising money for Nordoff Robbins!
