Toad Lane Concerts: Margaret Ferguson soprano and Maria King piano

Margaret Ferguson and Maria King

These two extraordinarily talented performers were regular visitors to St Mary in the Baum before the pandemic and each of them have helped in the reinvention of the concerts since.

Both are highly trained and able to cross the apparent divide between serious and popular music. To have them together in a recital was terrific.

Margaret came to the UK on a scholarship from Ghana for higher study at the RNCM and later at the European Mozart Academy in Poland. Now based in the north west she also directs the Manchester Gospel Choir and teaches Ghanaian drumming, singing and dancing. She is equally at home with jazz and popular styles as classical songs and arias from grand opera.

Maria King also trained at the RNCM, additionally post graduate, and where she was an accompanist for eight years. She has forged a career as a classical pianist and also an entertainer and regularly performs on cruise ships. Both have been much involved in charitable work such as Music for Hospitals, for many years.

Skilfully accompanied by Maria, Margaret sang delightful arias by Handel and Mozart (the popular composers of their day!) and the charming Victorian number 'The Enchantress' by JL Hatton, with her trademark exuberance, rich and expressive tone, and engaging introductions.

Then, seamlessly she relaxed into 'One voice' by Barry Manilow, plus 'And I love you so', à la Perry Como.

After a reminder of her classical poise with 'Abide with me' by Samuel Liddle, she closed this memorable recital with Lloyd Webber’s 'Till I hear you sing (Love never Dies)'.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available now, but the venue is Covid-19 compliant. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson