Toad Lane Concerts: Nicola Mills soprano

TLC Nicola Mills

Resplendent in designer dress and leather jacket, soprano Nicola Mills continued her mission of ‘Opera for the people’ with infectious enthusiasm at Toad Lane Concerts on Wednesday 22 May at St Mary in the Baum (where, incidentally she was married).

Much more than ‘opera karaoke’ she creates her programme around items chosen by the audience from a varied vocal menu and is backed by sophisticated equipment. Her charming, no-nonsense, down-to-earth approach is immediately engaging, as are her insights into the singer’s world from her own experience.

Operatic favourites by Puccini, Mozart and Verdi plus lieder from Schubert and Schumann, demonstrated that she is a top-notch classical soprano with panache who would grace any stage and concert platform.

From coloratura to crossover, songs such as Danny Boy, I dreamed a dream, Ed Sheerin’s Perfect, and Queen’s Barcelona also showed that she has the popular touch. Add to that a stunning finale of Verdi’s Brindisi that brought the audience to its feet, and you have the hallmarks of a great all-round vocal entertainer… a true people’s soprano.

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. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

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

Dr Joe Dawson