Toad Lane Concerts: Hannah Andrusier soprano and Tim Kennedy piano

Tim Kennedy and Hannah Andrusier

Soprano Hannah Andrusier is currently studying for a master’s at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). Prior to this she read French as a choral scholar at Somerville College, Oxford, where she also sang with The Oxford Gargoyles and performed lead roles at The Oxford Playhouse. Her professional work has already included engagements as a singer and actor at the Barbican and Royal Albert Hall, CBSO, LSO and Hallé Orchestras.

Accompanist Tim Kennedy studied music at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and is now a freelance musician based in Manchester. As well as being a piano accompanist (including ten years as a staff repetiteur at the RNCM), he also works as a professional singer, vocal coach, and organist.

Their varied programme started with two attractive Shakespeare settings by Madeleine Dring and Amy Beach followed by an operatic excerpt by Menotti. A curious song of a maiden’s woe by Mozart led to a dramatic excerpt from Massenet’s Cendrillon. These established her credentials as a singer-actor and her engaging introductions charmed the audience.

As well as accompanying superbly throughout, Tim played The Lark by Glinka ‘arranged’ by Balakirev, a virtuosic elaboration of a simple Russian song.

From a Russian mood to the USA with Green Finch and Linnet Bird (Sweeney Todd) by Stephen Sondheim in Hannah’s second set on the theme of Nature. From the USA to France with Debussy, Italy with Respighi, Germany with an exquisite Die Nacht by Richard Strauss, and the UK with Love’s Philosophy by Roger Quilter.

Their Encore piece, a jazzy, boozy soliloquy about the morning after the night before, made the most of Hannah’s considerable acting ability, characterisation and communication of fine detail and humour. A delightful way to end a sometimes moving, sometimes joyful but always enjoyable recital.

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