About me

Rachel Ashton was born in Liverpool to a farming family. She studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with the soprano Suzanne Murphy, supported by a bursary from the Laura Ashley Foundation. She currently studies under Neil Howlett and is also an alumni of the Britten Pears Young Artists Programme.

 

Rachel is an experienced and versatile singer and actress. Recent performances include the roles of  Adina in "The Elixir of Love" at the Charter Theatre, Preston, Eurydice in "Orpheus in the Underworld" at the Playhouse Theatre, Preston, with comedian Jimmy Cricket; Phoebe in "As You Like It" (scenes), Olga in "The Three Sisters" (scenes) and Barbara in "Billy Liar", (scenes) at Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts; Mrs. Peachum in "The Beggar's Opera" at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool, for Keyhole Productions; the role of "Emilia"/soprano soloist in "The Winter's Tale" for Wirral Shakespeare Project  (directed by Brookside's Neil Caple) in Birkenhead Park, a recital at 2008's Chester Music Festival, solo performances for Merseyside based cultural organisation Club Geek Chic and solo performances at the St. Mary Centre and the Duke of Westminster's residence, Eton Hall, for the Mayor of Chester.  She also regularly performs at weddings and other functions around the North West.

 

Rachel was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Marmande Festival International Singing Competition in South West France, a prize-winner and finalist at the 2003 Young International Singer Competition at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and was nominated for a Best Actress Award for her role as "Patience" by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association in 2005.   She has also recently made her radio debut as a soloist on BBC Radio Merseyside’s weekly religious broadcast “United in Song”. 

 

Rachel is also a  trained Kindermusik Educator and is the founder of "Singing in the Rain Workshops" which holds music and movement classes for 0-7 year olds in the Merseyside region and singing lessons for older children.   Rachel has also participated in workshop training with "Streetwise Opera" and also works as an animateur/wider opportunities singing teacher for Liverpool Council Music Service. 

 

 

Operatic performances include principal roles in excerpts from:

 

Street Scene as Anna Maurrant (RWCMD)

 

The Four Note Opera, (RWCMD)

 

Eugene Onegin as Tatyana

 

Falstaff as Alice Ford 

 

Der Freischutz as Agathe (all for Oxenfoord International, conducted by James Lockhart)

 

Idomeneo as Elettra (for Handmade Opera in Umbria Italy, conducted by Nicholas Cleobury)

 

Die Fledermaus as Adele in Aragon, Spain with European Chamber Opera.

 

Le Nozze di Figaro as Contessa Almaviva  with Co-Opera Co, London 

 

 

Full operatic/operetta roles include:

 

Orpheus in the Underworld as Eurydice (Preston Opera)

 

The Elixir of Love as Adina (Preston Opera)

 

The Beggar's Opera as Mrs. Peachum (Keyhole Productions)

 

The Marriage of Figaro as the Countess (Una Voce Opera)

 

The Magic Flute as Pamina (Una Voce Opera)

 

Patience in the title role (Crosby Gilbert and Sullivan Society)

 

The Pirates of Penzance as Mabel (Crosby G&S Society)

 

Trial by Jury as The Plaintiff  (Ormskirk Music Society)

 

The Sorcerer as Aline (for The National Trust at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire). 

 

Chorister Work:

 

British Youth Opera "Orpheus in the Underworld"

 

Ensemble 10:10 (the “new music” division of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) - "Amahl and the Night Visitors"

 

Huddersfield Choral Society (recording of works by Bax with the BBC Concert Orchestra)

 

City of Manchester Opera

 

South Wales Male Voice Choir (on their album “Penrhiw”).

 

 

Solo concert appearances include: 

 

“National Farmers’ Union 50^th Anniversary Carol Service” at Blackburn Cathedral

 

A recital of French song/Lieder with European Chamber Opera at the Teatro de Bellas Artes in Tarazona, Spain

 

“Sing the Musicals” for Sing Live UK at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall accompanied by the National Festival Orchestra

 

A concert of religious music in La Chiesa di Santa Nicola, Scheggino, Umbria, Italy with Handmade Opera

 

A solo recital at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, as part of the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

 

A solo role in “Tales from the Vienna Woods” for the Cardiff Stuttgart Association at the Mansion House, Cardiff (broadcast on HTV Wales) 

 

Beethoven's Mass in C for Ormskirk Music Society

 

A series of concerts in and around Paris with the vocal ensemble "Sounds Classical" for the Holiday Property Bond Association

 

Numerous "guest" performances for Aughton Male Voice Choir

 

Guest soloist at the Carol Service for HMS Eaglet (Naval Reserves) in 2006, 2007 and 2008.