Queen of the Night
What an intense few weeks!
Not long after my last newsletter, I had a very exciting invitation to attend the Sweet Life Recipe Book launch of a remarkably beautiful lady whom I hold it such high esteem and love, Carolyn Hartz; my dear friend, 2nd mum and major sponsor of my Debut EP Album. I was ecstatic to be able to pop down to Melbourne, chauffeured to the event in a glorious Rolls Royce by Jim McLean, to support Carolyn at her Debut, held at the Grand Hyatt and hosted by the magnificent, articulate Hon. Julie Bishop.
The event was managed by the one and only, Max Markson himself and on meeting me he asked “Would you like to sing?” With No Notice, No mic, and No music and took a deep breath and thought, No worries. There is no way I was going to pass on the honour to being part of this exciting event and besides you don’t say No to Carolyn and Max! I sang ‘Hallelujah’ to open the event and was truly heart warmed when Julie later on told me she loved my performance and it was her favourite song. Thank you Carolyn for having me part of your wonderful event. I am so happy and proud of you and this wonderful Publication.
The following morning, I woke at 4am to catch a flight to Bali for a quick tour of my Solo Headline show, The Voice of an Angel on the Golden Princess, heading to Darwin which was a short and sweet contract. There are some lovely photos online from this show in my latest new White dress.
Some of you may be wondering about my Debut ALBUM which I recently finished recording. Well, it has just gone to Master with the wonderful Warren Barnett and the artwork has just been finished by the lovely Ian Phillips and it looks amazing! I feel so full of love and gratitude for the team I have around me to produce this new 12 Track Album. More details COMING SOON.
In other news, I have recently been cast as the Lead Soprano ‘DIVA’ in a brand new Production Show called ‘ENCORE’, where I will feature on the Sea Princess Cruise Ships for approximately 15 weeks over the next 12 months. Not only do I have the most incredible ball gown, custom made, laced and beaded and weighing a ton, but also performing in the 1,000 seat theatre with a special 13 piece orchestra with fully choreographed singers, dancers, staging and lighting.
When I was first approached to accept this role I was a little nervous because as the Diva, I have to sing one of the hardest Arias in the history of music… Yep… Mozart’s ‘Queen of the Night’ with a top F! If you are not a music person… It’s HIGH!! Sung in full voice… but my motto since moving out of home is to say YES to more positive opportunities and challenge myself to try new things which will grow me technically, spiritually etc. But guess what!? I surprised myself! I have always loved this Aria and it ended up being the least of my worries. My rusty French made learning the fast, wordy Carmen Aria, ‘Les Triangles Des Sistres’ more of a challenge than anything else. After being thrown into the deep end with only an 8 day speed run of rehearsals, I am heart warmed to say, I came up with full house Standing Ovations for all 5 Premiere Shows and it is the most incredible feeling!
As part of this new Production Series, I was also asked to do my own Duet show and I immediately asked a friend and talented fellow Classical Crossover singer, Jonathan Estabrooks whom, funnily enough, I met online via the wonderful world of Classical Music forums. In the coming weeks we will also be Premiering our Duet show, ‘Crossover to Love’ while we travel the world, adventuring around Fiji, Indonesia, Ireland, England, Portugal, Norway, France, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Vanuatu. More on our duet show to come.
Straight after premiering ‘Encore’ last fortnight, I had 24hrs in Sydney to do my washing and repack before I flew to join the wonderful luxury Azamara Journey in Penang. This was a glorious contract, full of lovely, kind people who made me feel like family. Thank you! I had 5 solo headline performances of my ‘Voice of an Angel’ show which were received so positively. The Assistant Cruise Director said that it was ‘The best Female Act I have ever seen in my 7 years on ships’ which was so exhilarating to hear. I also had the great delight and honour to sing with the most wonderful Cruise Director, sublimely talented, beautiful human being and newly adopted brother, Mr Eric De Grey. Our duet of ‘All I Ask Of You’ from Phantom of the Opera was a powerfully moving moment I was grateful to share on stage with an esteemed colleague and friend.
We travelled through Malaysia, KL, Singapore and finally to Bangkok where I was meant to head to Sydney for 12 hours before flying to New Zealand, however in the last few days of this Asia contract I was so run down and burnt out, I fell ill and have had to take some much needed TLC time for myself to recover. November wasn’t all rainbows and lollypops as I have had some intense experiences which will, in time, reinforce my spirit and make me stronger and wiser and in a few days time, I will be ready to take on the world again.
However the best news is, I will be HOME for CHRISTMAS (just waiting on flight confirmation) and I can’t wait to hug my folks and furballs with all the love and strength I have and cook up a feast! I may only have 3 days in Perth but it’s 3 precious days with my people whom I so dearly love!
Heading into the Silly Season, please remember to love each other and be Thankful!
With Christmas and my Birthday (2nd January) coming up, if you wish to give me a gift, please consider instead making a donation to my Digital Tip Jar. Special thanks to Garry Sawyer & Martin Hans for their generous $50 donations. Here is the Direct Link: https://www.paypal.me/ClaraHelms #ShareTheLOVE
Love and Best wishes, Clara xx
?Pop Opera - Contemporary Singer | Songwriter | Actor | Dancer | Speaker
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