Toad Lane Concerts: Louise Taylor soprano and Jonathan Ellis piano

Jonathan Ellis and Louise Taylor

Popular local soprano Louise Taylor performed with Jonathan Ellis at Toad Lane on Wednesday 14 February.

Louise began solo singing at the age of 24, going on to perform over 30 lead roles in light opera and musicals as well as singing oratorio and fronting a dance band. All this while enjoying a 40-year career in journalism, most recently as editor of Cheshire Life for 11 years until 2020.

After starting to learn the piano at the age of three, Jonathan Ellis studied at Wells Cathedral School, and moved on to the joint music course of the Royal Northern College Music (RNCM) and Manchester University, where he graduated first-class from both institutions and gained higher diplomas and prizes as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician.

This experienced duo produced a varied and enjoyable programme for Valentine’s Day. Roger Quilter was a twentieth century master of English art song that rivals German lieder. Louise and Jonathan opened with Quilter’s best-known song, Love's Philosophy, in virtuosic style, followed by some of his heartfelt settings of Elizabethan Lyrics.

As an instrumental interlude, Jonathan played intense piano pieces by one of Quilter’s contemporaries, Sir Arnold Bax with aplomb.

Then the pair celebrated British music theatre composer and celebrated actor Ivor Novello. Hit numbers from The Dancing Years: I Can Give You the Starlight, My Dearest Dear and Waltz of My Heart instantly evoked his heyday, and oozed nostalgia.

Finally, across the pond for a medley of the Great American Songbook composer of Broadway and Hollywood, Cole Porter. It's De-lovely, Let's Do It, You're the Top! lit up the otherwise gloomy weather outside. An Encore was demanded, and a riotous ‘I could have danced all night’ showed off the dynamic qualities of both performers to the full.

Dr Joe Dawson