Hope Metropolitan Orchestra - Italian Journey

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NB: This concert takes place in the Great Hall at Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus, 17 Shaw Street, Liverpool L6 1HP.

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Rachel McFarlane, voice ('remember me')
Rebekah Okpoti, organ
Hope Metropolitan Orchestra,
Stephen Pratt, conductor
Hope Metropolitan Singers,
Richard Lea, director
Liverpool Hope Chamber Choir,
Rebekah Okpoti, director

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Davismoon - World Premiere of New Work 'remember me'
Monteverdi - Chiome D’Oro
Monteverdi -  Beatus Vir
Handel - Organ Concerto in G minor, op.4, No. 1
Malipiero - Vivaldiana
Monteverdi - Benedictus
Rossini - O Salutaris Hostia
Respighi  - Bella Porta di Rubini
Cherubini - Symphony in D

The Angel Field Festival is an annual highlight of musical events at Liverpool Hope University, named after the farm which was originally located on the site of the current Creative Campus.

This year, the festival has an Italian influence. This concert takes us from the Baroque splendours of Monteverdi to Cherubini, an esteemed contemporary of Beethoven and onto Rossini before touching on the 20th century with Respighi and Malipiero.
 
Both these latter were influenced by Italian music of the past, coating it with contemporary colours. Handel travelled widely in Italy as a young man and absorbed the styles of the day which he brought to England where he settled.

A stand-out piece tonight is the world premiere of a new work by Stephen Davismoon, based around an old Italian melody, performed by vocalist Rachel McFarlane. 

Here, in the space of one evening, you can travel over 400 years of music, written in or inspired by Italy.

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Rachel McFarlane

Rachel McFarlane, a Manchester-born vocal powerhouse, embarked on her music career at the tender age of 16. With a unique blend of gospel and house vocals, she quickly became a sought-after talent, achieving multiple successes on the UK charts.

Her journey saw her overcoming the challenges posed by Graves' Disease. This period of adversity fueled her passion to inspire the youth through transformative music workshops, leading to a triumphant return to the music industry with the chart-topping hit Take Me To The Clouds Above (LMC vs U2). Rachel's versatility has shone brightly in West End theatre productions, where she collaborated with Sir Richard Eyre, Arlene Phillips, and Don Black. She has also extended her influence through radio and her soul-stirring gospel album Evolution.

Beyond her remarkable personal achievements, Rachel's dedication to community outreach is evident in her work with Amplified Voices CIC. This pioneering initiative showcases her commitment to leveraging the power of music to empower, foster a sense of belonging, and uplift individuals, thereby magnifying her impact from the stage to the heart of communities.

Rachel is thrilled to be performing at the Angel Field Festival 2024, where she will join Stephen Davismoon for the premiere of his latest work.