Paignton soprano Jane Anderson-Brown had a very successful day on Saturday 19th November at the Taunton and Somerset Music and Drama Festival, receiving six commended awards and a distinction and winning three classes (English song, French Melodie and German Lieder)
Her distinction was in the Lieder class, singing Brahms and Mozart, where she was adjudicated along with her mother Janet Williams from Chudleigh who accompanied her throughout the festival. They are now the holders of the Diana Rees Lieder Trophy.
Jane and Janet are in demand as performers, both individually and together. Janet plays the organ regularly at Trusham church, and accompanies on the piano, as well as being an orchestral percussionist. Jane is known for singing opera and art songs, and has performed in concert across south Devon since she moved to Paignton in July 2009. She has sung with New Devon Opera, covering the role of Frasquita for them in last year’s production of Carmen, and she will be singing the part of the Aunt in next summer’s production of Madame Butterfly. She has sung extensively in opera and concert in London and the south east, including Holland Park, Basingstoke – where she created several roles in newly commissioned works, and as the soloist in Proms style finales on Eastbourne Bandstand and other venues. In 2010 she performed at the end of the Paignton Regatta fireworks, as well as touring a concert of wartime songs.