Aires & Gracenotes

Rachel van Heel, soprano

Dawn Lloyd, mezzo soprano

Peter Reasbeck, pianist
 

Rachel, Dawn and Peter formed their musical partnership in 2008.

Previously, both Rachel and Dawn had extensive experience of opera, oratorio and recitals, having sung principal rôles with West Riding Opera, Yorkshire Dales Opera, Manchester City Opera and the City of Leeds College of Music Opera Group, as well as appearing as soloists in works such as Haydn’s Creation in Bradford Cathedral, Beethoven’s Mass in C in LeedsTown Hall, Verdi’s Requiem in Blackburn Cathedral and performances of Handel’s Messiah in numerous churches.

Peter has chosen to devote his pianistic talents principally to the highly skilled art of accompaniment. He is in demand as an accompanist for singers, instrumentalists and choirs.

A love of art song brought the three musicians together. Their repertoire embraces art song of all kinds, especially German Lieder, French Mélodies and English song, but their concert programmes may include anything from baroque to modern, from Henry Purcell to Cole Porter, from folksong to musical theatre.

They now, sometimes in collaboration with instrumentalists, regularly give fundraising concerts in a variety of settings across Yorkshire and Lancashire in support of numerous charities.