Described by Classic FM as “Pure vocal beauty”, Fair Oriana are a soprano duo, known for the purity of their voices and trade-mark blend. They specialise in singing historical repertoire, and perform entertaining chamber concerts with a hint of theatre. In 2021 they released debut album Two Voices to critical acclaim. Find it here: Two Voices (orcd.co). They were finalists in the NCEM International Young Artist Competition 2022.
Sopranos Angela Hicks and Penelope Appleyard joined forces in 2018 to form Fair Oriana, a duo that mixes their passion for early music with a contemporary twist, and in certain programmes, a dash of folk, medieval and jazz influence. The two singers have a natural rapport on stage, a love of musical creativity and ornamentation, and a mutual penchant for doing things a bit differently! In 2019 they launched their ‘Trials & Triumphs of Oriana’, ‘Silver Baroque’ and ‘A Noble Thief: The Legend of Robin Hood’ chamber programmes in concert series around the UK and in Europe. Additionally they have commissioned and recorded new works that set Elizabeth 1’s own words to music and in 2021 released their debut album ‘Two Voices.’ In the autumn of 2019 they collaborated with Opera Settecento on an historically informed performance of Handel’s Aminta e Fillide, to critical acclaim. This was supported by the London Handel Friends, and aimed to be a first step towards bringing the art of baroque gesture successfully back to the modern stage. They have subsequently performed this, as well as newly devised programme ‘Venus’ at Vienna’s Konzerthaus, following their debut there in 2020.
They are rapidly building a reputation as an innovative and outstanding ensemble, are delighted to be Making Music Selected Artists and to have been selected for the International Young Artists Presentation in Antwerp.
They offer distinctive, flexible programmes of Elizabethan or baroque repertoire, comprising solos, duets, instrumental music and spoken word. They are also available to lead workshops and masterclasses on singing early music and chamber music performance. Additionally both singers pursue busy solo careers and freelance with some of UK’s most renowned ensembles.
Website: www.fairoriana.com
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/fairoriana
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZiseRVr1xVdbdCHtfkT5Aw
Twitter: @fair_oriana
Instagram: fair_oriana
