Lesley Garrett, CBE, is Britain’s most popular soprano, regularly appearing in both opera and in concert. On television, and CD, she has won both critical acclaim and the affection of many fans and music lovers.
As well as performing with the English and Welsh National Operas, Lesley Garrett has recently starred in Carousel and The Sound of Music and appeared on television shows including Strictly Come Dancing and Loose Women. She has also performed with artists as diverse as Michael Ball, Renee Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Bryn Terfel and Lily Savage.
As a recording artist, she has fourteen solo CDs to her credit; Soprano in Red received the Gramophone Award for ‘Best-selling Classical Artist of the Year’, Diva! A Soprano At The Movies, Prima Donna, Simple Gifts, Soprano in Red, Soprano in Hollywood and I Will Wait for You all received silver discs and A Soprano Inspired and Lesley Garrett both achieved gold discs.
Lesley’s most recent albums include Travelling Light, The Singer, So Deep is the Night, When I Fall in Love, and Amazing Grace. She was also a featured artist on the platinum selling Perfect Day single released by the BBC in aid of Children in Need. Her most recent classical recording was the role of Despina for Sir Charles Mackerras’s recording of The Magic Flute. Lesley’s new album A North Country Lass was released in April 2012.
Lesley’s major television appearances include Lesley Garrett…Tonight, The Lesley Garrett Show, The Singer, Sacred Songs and Lesley Garrett – Desert Dreams for the BBC. Other BBC appearances have included the documentary Jobs for the Girls with Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke, Viva la Diva and The Lily Savage Show. Lesley was also the subject of a South Bank Show on LWT.
During her time with ENO, Lesley starred in many productions and won critical acclaim for her portrayals of both comic and serious role working with Sir Jonathan Miller, Nicholas Hytner, Richard Jones, Sir Charles Mackerras, David Alden, David Poutney, Sir Mark Elder and Graham Vick amongst others. Lesley made her Royal Opera debut in their production of The Merry Widow in 1997. She returned to the Coliseum in the spring of 2001 for a revival of her acclaimed Rosina in Rossini’s Barber of Seville, having first performed it there in 1998.
Lesley Garrett appears at the Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1HQ on Friday 16th October at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £23.50, Concessions £21.50, Friends £20 and can be booked through the box office on 01903 206 206 or online at www.worthingtheatres.co.uk