The Sounds of Europe

This wonderful concert, which took place at St John’s Church Forres on saturday 3 October, left the audience wanting more. “The Sounds of Europe” programme gave songs, arias and organ music from England, France, Italy and Germany.

Moira Harris has worked as a professional singer for 20 years, undertaking a variety of engagements in opera, oratorio, concert and recital, both in the UK and abroad.  Her oratorio work includes the Bach Passions and B minor Mass, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s C minor Mass and the Requiems of Brahms and Verdi.  She performed many roles such as Lucia, Violetta, Fiordiligi, Musetta and Mimi as far afield as Japan and the US with Pavilion Opera, one of the UK’s leading touring opera companies. 

Notably, she was a member of the English National Opera Chorus for 10 years, also undertaking principal roles and covers.  She also participated in the company’s educational work with the Baylis Programme which included workshops and master classes with adults and children.

Moira’s performance at St John’s was simply stunning.

Moira was accompanied on piano by her husband, Steve Jones.

Steve has been a pianist and organist for over 35 years.  After an organ scholarship to Cambridge, he was Director of Music at many churches in London. He is a recitalist and accompanist, and has also conducted chamber choirs and choral societies. As a tenor, he has sung with a wide variety of vocal groups. He has recently been appointed Music Director for Inverness Opera Company’s forthcoming production in March 2010.

As well as accompanying Moira on piano Steve gave an outstanding Organ Recital with pieces by Bach and Vierne.

Moira and Steve will be returning to St John’s early next year with a “Scottish Concert”. In the meantime if you would like to discuss a concert with them they can be contacted by .

Filed under: General Diocesan News