David Douglas Music

Clouds Harp Trio and David Douglas(Tenor) present a recital of original compositions, traditional and contemporary songs. The collaboration will see the creation of exciting new arrangements for Voice and Harp Trio. The recital will feature music composed by Esther Swift for her Harp Trio, songs for Tenor and Harp Duo and a rare chance to hear songs arranged for Tenor and Harp Trio. This recital will give the audience a unique opportunity to hear and experience the magic of three harps performing together.

CLOUDS Harp Trio formed in 2008 when Elfair Grug Dyer, Esther Swift and Angelina Warburton all studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Eira Lynn Jones. Whilst studying at the RNCM they performed together in a number of exciting venues including Huddersfield contemporary Music Festival in 2007 where they premièred ‘Anthill’ by Catherine Kontz; a concert celebrating John Cage’s music in The Baltic, Gateshead and a concert under the dinosaur in the Natural History Museum in London. Since then they have released two CDs of original works, their debut – Clouds, and most recent – Water. The music of CLOUDS harp quartet is written by Esther Swift and draws much from her background in folk music and improvisation. CLOUDS have toured extensively around the UK to promote their CDs, and tour venues have included the Royal Northern College of Music, St. Giles Cathedral, Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh and Whitechapel Art Gallery, London. Following the success of their first UK tour in summer 2011, CLOUDS were invited to perform their original works at the Bridgwater Hall in Manchester as part of the CLIC Sargent Charity Christmas Concerts in 2011. As individuals, all four are established as soloists, chamber and orchestral musicians: including performances at Cadogan Hall, Barbican and Royal Albert Hall, London and St.Davids Hall, Cardiff. They have been involved in various orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, RNCM Symphony Orchestra, Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and Ορχήστρα των Χρωμάτων (Athens). Welsh harpist Elfair Dyer has recently completed her Master’s degree at the RNCM and been accepted as a soloist on to the Live Music Now Scheme, whilst Rebecca performs internationally as resident harpist on board the Cunard cruise ships, Queen Elizabeth & Queen Mary II. Over the past year Esther has also been performing internationally as part of her Routes to Roots project with folk duo Twelfth Day – their project sees them travel to four different continents; sharing folk music traditions with the musicians they meet. Angelina is a professional freelance harpist based in Manchester, playing with ensembles such as the National Festival Orchestra and the Festival Number Six Ensemble, she is also a harp teacher at Chetham’s School of Music.

David Douglas was born in Ayrshire, Scotland and trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music. Operatic roles include Acteon/Acteon by Charpentier (Dartington Advanced Opera) Asterion/Nais by Rameau(Britten Pears Artist Program); Dr Blind/ Die Fledermaus, Pyramus/ Pyramus and Thisbe (RNCM); Frederick/pirates of Penzance (Phoenix Opera); Sailor/Dido and Aeneas (Manchester Camerata and Silk Opera); Creating the roles of Damien and Tony/Jacko’s Hour (Opera Engine); Le Remendado/Carmen (OperaLab); Baba Mustapha (cover)/Barber of Bagdad (Buxton Festival Opera) Wilhelm (cover)/Mignon (Buxton Opera Festival). Concert experience includes Scottish Song Recital, British Music Festival concert, Schumann festival Concert (RNCM); Mozart requiem (Chesterfield Philharmonic); Bach Magnificat, Vivaldi Magnificat (Bollington Festival); Saint-Saens Oratorio de Noel (Bolton Choral Union); Monteverdi Vespers, Finzi For St Cecilia (Levens Choir); Bach Christmas Oratorio (Dumfries Choral); Orff's Carmina Burana (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic), Stravinsky’s Les Noses (Salford Opera Action Project and Future Fires) Messiah (Befast Philharmonic); Paul Spicer EasterOratorio (Northern Chamber Orchestra). David has recently joined Welsh National Opera’s Singing Doctors project, using his vocal gifts to communicate with dementia patients. David recently performed at English National Opera in February 2013, singing in the chorus of Charpentier Medea, conducted by Christian Curnyn and in the Glyndebourne Festival Opera's production of Hyppolyte et Arice, conducted by William Christie. David's roots come from scottish traditional music which he has now returned to in the making of his debut solo album, which includes his own songs and arranged. Future engagements include a UK tour with Opera North and a European tour with the highly acclaimed baroque ensemble Les Arts Florrisants.