Ann Wilkes
Soprano
"Let me be, perhaps, one of the first critics to rave about the pure bliss of her gorgeously creamy voice"
Yorkshire Times
Bio
Yorkshire born Ann Wilkes studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, and was awarded a first-class honours undergraduate degree and her masters. Her roles at RNCM included Suor Dolcina in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Moth in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Ann is in demand as an Oratorio singer with highlights including: Bach’s Cantatas 140 and 147, Brahms’ Requiem, Faure’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Missa in angustiis, Paukenmesse, and Theresienmesse, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Mozart’s Mass in C minor, Requiem and Solemn Vespers, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Poulenc’s Gloria and Vivaldi’s Beatus Vir, Gloria, and Magnificat.
Bio
Although in demand as an oratorio singer, Ann enjoys performing contemporary pieces and was one of the featured soloists in the world premiere of Citizens of Nowhere, composed by Anna Appleby, at the Tête-à-Tête Opera Festival. She also premiered Fireworks by Grace-Evangeline Mason, a solo written for Ann with a symphony orchestra.
Ann lives in Manchester and works as Fundraising Officer for the charity Manchester Action on Street Health. She sings with the psychedelic-folk band Cobalt Chapel, is trying to learn the Bowed Psaltery, and enjoys exploring the folk repertoire.