Toad Lane Concerts: Louise Taylor soprano and Jonathan Ellis piano

Jonathan Ellis and Louise Taylor

Popular local soprano Louise Taylor began singing solo at the age of 24. She has performed over 30 lead roles in light opera and musicals, plus solos in oratorio and also fronted a dance band. All this whilst enjoying a career in newspaper and magazine journalism, most recently as editor of Cheshire Life for 11 years until 2020. She's also a member of Salford Cathedral Choir.

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 of Music and Manchester University, where he graduated first-class from both institutions and gained higher diplomas and prizes as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician.

Louise explored a range of styles at St Mary's on Wednesday 2 October, beginning with five Romantic songs by Faure, including the passionate Après un Rêve. This set was rounded off beautifully by Cesar Franck’s Panis Angelicus.

In addition to superb accompaniments, Jonathan showed his prowess as a concert pianist in a solo interlude with the popular favourite, the first movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. He promised to return with the rest of it, and likewise the suite containing Debussy’s Clair de lune, which he also played. Yes please. This made it a true double recital.

Louise then moved to Gilbert & Sullivan with characterful numbers from The Sorcerer before a finale from the musicals with a swinging Manhattan by Rodgers and Hart, smouldering Bill by Kern, and a riotous rendering of I Got Rhythm by Gershwin.

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