King's Rochester's Edward Hyde debuts with Welsh National Opera

Rebecca Dale's debut album ‘Materna Requiem’ received its world premiere at The North Wales International Music Festival, held in St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday 22nd September. Edward Hyde was invited by the prestigious Welsh National Opera to sing as the treble soloist in an outstanding performance.

Working alongside Welsh National Opera soloists and the NEW Sinfonia, the premiere of the piece, a beautifully moving and uplifting tribute to her late mother, who died in 2010 was a great success receiving a standing ovation from the sold out venue.

Representatives from Decca Classics and the composer Rebecca Dale were thrilled with Edward’s performance commenting on his voice and professionalism. Producers from the Welsh National Opera said: “We cannot thank Edward enough for his incredible contribution in the Requiem Reflections concert at the weekend. It was truly an unforgettable evening and we are so grateful for all his hard work and talent! We are still receiving wonderful feedback from the audience and participants.”

Edward, a Music Scholar at King’s Rochester, was approached by British composer Rebecca Dale at the start of the year to attend a recording session for her new release ‘Materna Requiem’. He is one of four vocal soloists featured on this piece in a number of movements, all being accompanied by The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Edward said: “To be involved with this Requiem right from the very start with the technical recording through to recording with the Liverpool Philharmonic and finally performing it live for Welsh National Opera has been an amazing journey. I feel so very honoured indeed.”

Rebecca Dale has recently signed an exclusive recording deal with Decca Classics, becoming the first female composer ever to join the label. She has simultaneously signed to Decca Publishing as the first woman to join its growing roster.

Born in 1985, Rebecca started composing from a very young age, completing her first full musical at the age of 10 and piano concerto at 15. She studied at Oxford University (New College) and the National Film and Television School.

Her work includes ‘When Music Sounds’, ‘I’ll Sing’ and ‘Winter’ Classic FM described Dale as “a household name in years to come”.

As a concert composer, Rebecca has written for numerous artists and ensembles including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Scottish Festival Orchestra, and the London Mozart Players. She is a fellow of the prestigious Macdowell Colony in New Hampshire (alumni include Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland), and has been recently commissioned by Canterbury Cathedral Girls' Choir. For TV and Film she has written for ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, ‘The Program’, ‘The Take’, ‘Roots’, ‘Touching the Void Live’ and ‘BBC's Frozen Planet Live’. Most recently she wrote additional music for BBC One's three part Christmas adaption of ‘Little Women’, starring Angela Lansbury, Michael Gambon and Emily Watson.

Rebecca’s first recording for Decca Classics is her brand-new album, ‘Requiem’, written in memory of her mother and featuring Edward’s solo on ‘Materna Requiem’.