For April’s Classical Café, join Sophie Iliaifar, accompanied by Alison Gill, for an afternoon of classical singing. Performing a range of repertoire from Purcell to Brahms, Poulenc to Britten, with a few Cole Porter classics in between, your classical music palette will be dancing with delight.
Sophie Iliaifar (she/her) – Mezzo-Soprano
Sophie Iliaifar is an American Iranian mezzo-soprano, who is originally from Saltburn, England. She is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Vocal Studies and Opera. She performed in three opera choruses at the RNCM, Le Nozze Di Figaro (2022), Die Fledermaus (2022), The Snow Maiden (2023), and she was in the street chorus of the performance of Bernstein’s Mass at the Bridgewater Hall. She also recorded the Queen’s Coronation Anthems in Ely Cathedral (2018), and Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in Fairfield Halls (2023) both alongside the Gabrieli Consort and Paul McCreesh. She was recently awarded third prize in the Young Musician of the Year Competition in Huddersfield, and first prize in the international division of the George Shirley Competition, which is based in Michigan, USA. Sophie is currently the manager of the Somnium Chamber Choir and is the Student Union President at the RNCM.
Alison Gill (she/her) – Piano
Alison Gill is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, specialising as an accompanist and répétiteur. Now based in North Yorkshire, Alison is highly sought after as an accompanist across the region, collaborating regularly with the Chorus of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the Jervaulx Singers and as an accompanist for Leeds Conservatoire, Durham University, the Berkshire Choral International and for the BBC Proms held at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music. As a soloist and accompanist Alison has also performed at venues from the Wigmore Hall to the Palau de La Musica in Barcelona and Vienna’s Musikverein.
About Classical Café
Classical Café is a series of Sunday afternoon performances at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Listen to classical music in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere, enjoying coffee and cake while you listen!
Tickets: £5, free for under 16s. Doors open 2pm for refreshments.
