WORLD-renowned opera singer announces a series of Christmas concerts in Winchester, to raise funds for the the city's hospice

Local resident and world-famous soprano Claire Rutter has announced a series of Christmas concerts, which will take place on December 18 and 20 at St Paul’s Church, to raise funds for the Winchester Hospice, who are currently attempting to reach their fundraising target in order to open in 2021.

Claire, who was in dress rehearsals for the critically acclaimed Rusalka at English National Opera, London, when lockdown started in March, has seen her entire year’s work disappear due to the pandemic.

Undeterred by the need for social distancing inside the church and the use of masks in order to arrange the shows, Claire is determined to bring us all some Christmas cheer and get back to a career she adores.

She said: “It’s been a devastating year for so many in my profession, but we can’t wait to get back out in front of a live audience once more and celebrate Christmas. St Paul’s Church has undergone a beautiful refurbishment during lockdown, and we hope everyone will enjoy the new and improved surroundings, as well as raise much needed funds for a local cause.”

The evening, set by candlelight, will include festive favourites including O Holy Night, White Christmas, Silent Night, with entertaining and nostalgic Christmas readings and prose.

Claire is regarded as one of the finest sopranos in the world, who has sung leading roles in major opera houses and venues including English National Opera, Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Opéra National du Rhin, Dallas Opera and Santa Fe Opera, as well as appearances at exclusive summer festivals including Grange Park Opera, concerts at venues including The Royal Festival Hall and has appeared on BBC Radio 3 & 4 and Classic FM on many occasions. Claire also took part in the 2019 Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year.

Claire will be joined by an array of wonderful talent for the concerts including, fresh from her Glyndebourne debut, Kamilla Dunstan; international tenor Colin Judson, who lives in Lymington; opera director Christopher Cowell, who will act as host and Charles Kilpatrick, who are all world class operatic talent, who between them have performed leading roles at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera, Glyndebourne, The New York Metropolitan Opera, Sydney Opera House, Royal Danish Opera, Dallas Opera, Santa Fe, Beijing Opera, Finnish National Opera, Norwegian Opera and Icelandic Opera.

Tickets cost £40, with all profits going to Winchester Hospice. There will be two performances each evening, at 6pm and 8pm, lasting for approximately 75 minutes, with no interval.

To book tickets visit Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/y2qdcfwk