Toad Lane Concerts: Louise Taylor soprano & Leighton Jones piano

Leighton Jones and Louise Taylor

Soprano Louise Taylor began singing solo at the age of 24. Since then, she has performed over 30 lead roles in light opera and musicals, sung the soprano solos in various oratorios and had great fun fronting a dance band. All this whilst enjoying a 40-year career in journalism, most recently as editor of Cheshire Life for 11 years until 2020. She is also a chorister at Salford Cathedral.

She was ably accompanied by Leighton Jones, a Yorkshire-born composer, performer, singer-songwriter with an MMus from Leeds Conservatoire.

They began with a classical set of arias by Handel and Mozart and ‘On Wings of Song’ by Mendelssohn, all of which resounded beautifully in the generous acoustic of St Mary in the Baum.

By way of an interlude, Leighton played characterful piano solos by Chilly Gonzales, Archie Macfarlane and his own ‘Exit Music’ relishing the vintage 1933 Challen Grand piano.

In conclusion, they brought to life extracts from the nineteenth century stage with, ‘The Hours Creep on Apace’, and ‘The Sun Whose Rays’ by Gilbert & Sullivan; and the twentieth century, ‘Wouldn't it Be Loverly?’, ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ and ‘Show Me’ by Lerner & Loewe. The audience were delighted with the varied programme by such talented and enthusiastic performers.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of 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