Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Soprano Erika Rawles took to the stage in front of scores of music lovers and dignitaries in a concert in her English home-town … after a lost baggage debacle and a frantic search for a stage gown.
The mother-of-three from Al Qurayyah was invited to join last week’s all-star group of opera singers to celebrate the De Costa Academy of Singing’s 25th anniversary.
She performed alongside international baritone and celebrated singing teacher Michael De Costa at The Guildhall in the historic city of York. Erika, who has lived in Bahrain for 10 years, said: “Opera is my passion. I can lose myself completely in it.
“Music and singing is definitely an outlet. I think it’s just a cathartic thing. If you’re in a bad mood and you sing you can raise your spirits … it makes a huge difference.”
Unlucky Erica needed all the raised spirits she could muster after a nightmare mishap on the flight over just 48-hours before she was due to step out on stage.
“The concert went brilliantly ... eventually,” she said, “after Etihad managed to lose my case with my posh frock and music, plus all my other clothes, shoes etc. en-route from Bahrain to Heathrow!
“I was nervous anyway about travelling and performing so close together as the recycled dry cabin air often affects my voice – so the lost bag, after a long day, was a bit stressful to say the least!
“We had to hang around for ages until we had filled in lost baggage claim forms and then only just made it in time to catch our train from London to York, arriving at midnight to find a long queue for taxis.
“The next morning I then had to desperately try and find somewhere to hire a suitable dress at short notice. Fortunately, I found a place locally and even though most of the dresses were booked out for summer balls and school proms the lovely lady that owned the shop found me a beautiful dress that she let me use for the concert – I had visions of having to wear boots under my dress but managed to get some shoes too!
“It was really a wonderful evening and the Guildhall was filled to capacity. All those present – audience and performers alike – enjoyed it and it was a fitting celebration of Michael De Costa’s 25th Anniversary of his singing academy.
“The event finished with bubbly and cake – a perfect end to a perfect evening. We had some old friends from Bahrain in the audience too which was really nice – Seana Mallen and Richard Atkinson.”
Seana was chairman of the Manama Singers when Michael came to perform in Bahrain to sing Carmina Burana – a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff in 1935 and 1936. It is based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection Carmina Burana..
Erika said: “I was very honoured to have been asked to take part in the anniversary concert in York. Singing to an audience comes naturally to me but, of course, I still get nervous. I just have to remember to breathe!
“My dream is to one day join an opera company. I just love to be on stage and be part of the show.”
Erika travels back and forth to the UK where she still enjoys regular singing sessions with Mr De Costa, an ex-principal baritone with English National Opera and his teaching ‘pedigree’ can be traced back to Manuel Garcia, a famous baritone who invented a laryngoscope to study vocal folds and Gaetano Nava who wrote definitive books on the Bel Canto technique of singing.
Erika added: “I would love to teach too at one point in the future. I took part in a master class last June with Professor of Voice Hanan El Guindi, who, after I had sung for her, asked me why I was not singing professionally and was insistent that I should be teaching students and passing on my technique as it would also benefit my singing too.”
The married former nurse has always had an interest in music and played both the piano and clarinet at a young age. She started singing at the age of 12 where she took part in many school choirs and productions.
When her husband Graham, currently a flying instructor for the Bahrain Air Force, was stationed to work in the US state of Texas, she decided to delve back into the world of music and took part in community theatre where she choreographed shows.
It was when one of the producers working in the theatre suggested she take singing lessons to strengthen her voice that she actually decided to take her passion seriously.
“I discovered that I had a whole different voice … my opera voice,” she said. “And that’s where it all started. I started studying with a professor of voice at Midwestern State University in Texas and ever since I have grown a connection and love of opera.
“I’ve been living in Bahrain for 10 years and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia for six years prior to that. I have been travelling back and forth from the Middle East to the UK for my lessons.”
However, since moving to the kingdom she has taken part in many shows and productions. She played Widow Corney in the MASK production of Oliver and recently performed at the Spring Recital at St Christopher’s Cathedral alongside pianist Dana Smith where she sang numbers by Giacomo Puccini, her favourite composer.
She says she is influenced by many celebrated sopranos including Julia Varady, Barbara Bonnie and Renée Fleming.
“Voices are like fingerprints,” she explained. “Everyone is unique to their own style. I would describe myself as a lyric soprano.
“My method of singing is Bel Canto which is a lyrical-style that uses a full rich broad tone and smooth phrasing.”
Erika was fortunate to take lessons from Janis Kelly, an award-winning international soprano, when she visited Bahrain for a concert in 2006. And her good fortune didn’t end there as Erika met opera legend Placido Domingo backstage at his concert on his recent visit to the kingdom.
She now happily sings at charity events in Bahrain, private functions, corporate gatherings and weddings.
