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Tonia Szkurhan

soprano
Il Cantagiro - Tonia Szkurhan

Canadian singer Tonia Szkurhan has sung a second song penned by Chris Wood on camera at the Il Cantagiro television song contest in Italy. After the great reaction to her performance as a competitor last year Tonia was invited to return as a guest singer, this time alongside Italian singing star Tony Santagata.

Tonia chose to sing Chris’s Give me some love, premiering the song just days after she had visited London to do a demo recording of it. ‘I felt that the song could have been written for me and I was really happy with my performance and my interpretation,’ she said. ‘I got a great response from the audience and from one or two producers as well.’

Tonia last sang with GHO in 2012 and is eagerly awaiting the chance to sing with the group again, next year.

Canadian soprano Tonia Szkurhan sang in the national finals of Italian television song contest Il Cantagiro in October, singing Chris Wood’s song, The things you never said, emerging with glowing critical praise and several offers of work.

‘I did not win in the end,’ Tonia said, ‘but I sang my best and would not change a thing with my performance. Everyone loved the song and thought it was beautiful and stunning! I got tons of positive feedback from the judges. They all told me I had a beautiful voice and that when I sing I allow them to dream. I was also told that I do not act enough when I sing – but I do find the Italians to be particularly expressive! They told me that my voice is like a Ferrari and I am only driving it at 100km per hour and I need to be driving it at 220 km per hour – so from now on, I am taking the top down and driving on the highway! I have been booked to do a two hour radio show so I am super excited about that!

Just one year ago Tonia was singing with Guest House Opera, when it premiered the choral piece I have a dream and she is due to return to the UK to sing and record with GHO again. 05.11.13

Lost in Life

Lost in Life (dedicated to those who died on September 11) was the most moving piece in the concert. You exactly hit the mood of the time. Congratulations!

John Austin
Fine Arts Sinfonia

Conversation Piece

Great care and thought had obviously gone into the highly atmospheric Conversation Piece by Christopher Wood. The oboe’s announcement of the legato opening subject was well molded, controlled and serious, setting the tone for a warm dialogue with expressive strings. Fluctuations of tempo sounded natural and inevitable and silence was dramatically effective, the parlando musical argument always clear, played with ravishing sound quality. An original twist concluded the dialogue, ensuring an unusual ending to a lovely piece.

Ruth Goslett
Croydon Advertiser

String Quartet

Lovely string playing made the String Quartet by Christopher Wood a joy to hear. Its lyrical opening, with the musical argument effortlessly and eloquently passing from viola, violins and cello, was deeply felt. Pauses were atmospheric and contrapuntal writing cleverly handled. Rhythm was taught and well-sprung in the contrasting middle section and the ending was ethereal.

Ruth Goslett
Croydon Advertiser

Carter in Crisis

Tinged with a deep autumnal melancholy, it tells of an ageing man’s obsession with the bust of a beautiful young Adonis. I found myself mulling over its meaning long after Carter’s valedictory cri de coeur had been sounded.

Donald Madgwick
Croydon Advertiser
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Any singers interested in joining GHO should contact Paddy Cockshutt on 078908 18508

Chris Wood on 077 905 143 77
or 020 8715 4436

Orchestral players should email: newtowncom@gmail.com