Friday, Sep 23, 2011
Withdraws due to illness
by Anne Sears
UPDATE OCTOBER 1: Due to illness Kiera has withdrawn from this production. Watch for the release of her new recording on the Hyperion label later this month. Details are below.
One of the world's most beloved musicals - The Phantom of the Opera - will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a gala performance at Royal Albert Hall in London on October 1 and 2 – and Westminster will be there.
Soprano Kiera Duffy, who earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Westminster Choir College, will play the role of opera diva Carlotta in the production, which will be simulcast on October 2 in movie theaters around the world. It will also be released as a CD and DVD.
The story of how Kiera got the role is a great illustration of how technology is changing our lives. Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer, and Cameron Mackintosh, the producer, wanted to cast a "real life opera singer" as Carlotta for this special 25th anniversary production. Kiera's name came to their attention after she performed Candide with the London Symphony in June. Six hours after receiving a list of the Phantom audition requirements, she used her iPhone to video herself singing the selections they requested. She sent the file to London - and she was quickly invited to join the cast.
October will mark another milestone in Kiera’s career. Her first commercial recording will be released on the Hyperion label – Volume 5 of The Complete Songs of Richard Strauss, which she recorded with pianist Roger Vignoles in London last year.