Q&A with soprano Hazel Neighbour
Q&A with Hazel Neighbour
We caught up with soprano Hazel Neighbour - finding out more about her before she joins us for a #secretconcert at Brunel Museum on the 13th April!
Hazel is a British-Irish lyric soprano who has worked with companies such as Glyndeborne, Mid Wales Opera, Grimeborn Festival, and Musiktheatertage Wien. The incredibly talented Hazel also works as an actor, making her theatre debut in 2020, touring Shakespeare plays around the country - and before studying singing, she read Chemistry at Imperial College London!
Hazel has previously joined us for Opera In A Day: Carmen and I cannot wait to see her perform with us at the stunning Brunel Museum Tunnel Shaft!
Q&A
I saw that you've previously sung with some amazing opera companies at some stunning venues. At DEBUT we love to find out about beautiful performances spaces - what has been the favourite venue you have performed in and why?
It’s so hard to pick a favourite as I’m very lucky to have sung in some wonderful venues. My most recent favourite would have to be Grimeborn Festival at the Arcola in Dalston. I loved performing at this theatre as it was so intimate and totally unconventional for opera.
What is the favourite role you've sung?
My favourite role has to be Mimì. Puccini’s music just breaks my heart and Mimì is such a simple yet charming character. Working out how to die convincingly on stage is a real art form and crucial for soprano repertoire.
If you were to play any instrument, what would it be & why?
One of my biggest regrets is that I never had the chance to learn a musical instrument. I taught myself piano but I’m not good enough to perform. I think if I had my time again, I would learn the piano, it’s almost like being a whole orchestra.
What do you get up to outside of music? Any hobbies/passions?
My hobby is walking and the outdoors, I love being in nature. One of the best things about touring is having the chance to visit lots of places you wouldn’t normally go to. My favourite thing to do is to find a hill and then climb it. It’s quite a good metaphor for life.
Tell us about any future projects, performances or exciting things you've got coming up?
The most exciting thing I have coming up is my first concert with DEBUT at the Brunel Museum on the 13th of April! After that I have a few concerts including Haydn’s Creation. Then I’m doing a tour with Rogue Opera combining my two favourite things – opera and the pub! In August, I’ll be performing Gretel in Hansel & Gretel at the Vienna Opera Festival.
DEBUT’s monthly classical music experience south of the river at Brunel Museum’s historic Grade II* listed Thames Tunnel Shaft, in collaboration with Midnight Apothecary.
MUSICIANS
Jorge Carlo Mariani tenor
Hannah Shilvock bass clarinet
Rieko Makita piano
Lizzie Holmes soprano & host
Sam Peña resident pianist & improviser