ABOUT
Alexandra Kidgell is an experienced oratorio and concert soloist, who has been praised for her clear, flexible voice, and her expressive performances.
BIOGRAPHY
Alexandra Kidgell read music at Cambridge and completed post-graduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied with Elizabeth Ritchie, Mary Hill and Audrey Hyland. She graduated with distinction, and was awarded the DipRAM for an outstanding final recital. She was a finalist in the LBS Bach Singers’ Prize, and in the Royal Overseas League Music Competition.
Alexandra has appeared as a concert and oratorio soloist throughout the UK and Europe, and enjoys performing a wide variety of repertoire. Forthcoming solo appearances include Handel Dixit Dominus at Cadogan Hall for Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, Haydn Nelson Mass and Vivaldi Nulla in mundo pax sincera in Lewes Town Hall, Handel Israel in Egypt at Chelmsford Cathedral, Bach Magnificat, both at King’s Place for the Feinstein Ensemble, and Cadogan Hall for Whitehall Choir and Constanza Chorus; and Haydn Creation in Romsey Abbey.
In 2023, she appeared on BBC2 as soloist with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, as part of their Easter from King’s broadcast.
Other recent solo highlights include Purcell Fairy Queen with Harry Christophers and The Sixteen at Cadogan Hall; Haydn Creation with York Musical Society in York Minster; Purcell The Indian Queen at Wigmore Hall; Monteverdi Vespers with Canterbury Choral in Canterbury Cathedral; Messiah in Canterbury Cathedral and Norwich Cathedral; Bach St John Passion and Mass in B minor for Twickenham Choral Society; Bach Lutheran Masses and cantatas at Wigmore Hall for Harry Christophers and The Sixteen; Handel Messiah for Nottingham Bach Choir and Bath Choral Society; Bach St Matthew Passion and St John Passion in Norwich Cathedral; Bach Jauchzet Gott and Mozart Exultate jubilate in Christchurch Priory; Vivaldi Gloria for King’s College Choir, Cambridge, with Daniel Hyde and The Academy of Ancient Music; Purcell King Arthur for East Sussex Bach Choir; Handel Dixit Dominus and Vivaldi Gloria in Bridgewater Hall, Manchester; Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music in Glyndebourne opera house, conducted by Sian Edwards; Mozart Requiem in Worcester Cathedral; a recording of Durante Requiem with the choir of Christ Church College, Oxford; Mozart Mass in C minor and Poulenc Gloria in Chelmsford Cathedral; and Bach Mass in B minor at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with The Feinstein Ensemble; as well as solo voice concerts at the Wigmore Hall for the Dunedin Consort, The Marian Consort and The Sixteen.
Alexandra is a member of The Sixteen, with who she has appeared in concert across the globe. She was a soloist on tours of Vivaldi Gloria and Bach Magnificat, and features as a soloist on several recent recordings. She also appeared on stage at the Globe’s Sam Wanamaker Playhouse as part of the small cast of Thomas Tallis, a new play with music, to wide critical acclaim.
Alexandra lives in Canterbury with her husband and two boys.
Reviews
“Kudos to Alexandra Kidgell as the solo soprano here, who soared up on to her high notes with effortless ease. ”
“….soprano Alexandra Kidgell…a crystalline clear sound with easy flexibility. Her consistently pure tone and agile execution of the several taxing arias…did justice to the text, music and style.”
“…Alexandra Kidgell’s tone [was] rounded and emotive during her solo…”
“’Tuba mirum’, an attractive soprano aria sung limpidly by Alexandra Kidgell”
“Alexandra Kidgell opened the concert with I wonder as I wander, her elegant soprano offering a sweet introduction to the piece.”
“The quartet of soloists were outstanding: Alexandra Kidgell’s clear limpid soprano perfectly judged in I Know that my Redeemer Liveth”
“…soprano Alexandra Kidgell…projected the top line with compelling charm.”
“…a fine solo from Alexandra Kidgell…
…sung with moving simplicity by soloist[s] Alexandra Kidgell…”
