Soprano returns to her Cotswold roots (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Soprano returns to her Cotswold roots

HELEN Kucharek, the former principal soprano of English National Opera, is to return to her roots next month when she gives a concert at Westonbirt School, near Tetbury, where she was once a pupil.

The concert takes place on Saturday, October 18 at 7.30pm.

Local girl Helen was born in Malmesbury and after leaving Westonbirt studied at the Royal College of Music.

The winner of many awards, she has given concerts and recitals all over the world, singing with such prestigious orchestras as the Philharmonia, the Ulster Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Her television and radio appearances have included the BBC, HTV and Channel 4, BBC Radio 3, and BBC Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night. Her future plans include further concerts and recitals for various music societies.

As well as teaching singing from her home in the West Country, Helen is currently the principal vocal tutor at London Bible College, which is part of Brunel University.

Her concert at Westonbirt will be a mixture of popular, serious and light-hearted music, accompanied by flautist Duke Dobing and his sister, the pianist Sylvia Coutts.

Duke Dobing has been principal flute and soloist with the City of London Sinfonia for 25 years while Sylvia Coutts is music director of the Bassett and Allsorts Swing Band and organist and director of music at St Dunstan's Church .

Tickets are now available from the school office on 01666 880333.