Chapel Arts
Aspects of Love with Rodney Earl Clarke
This Event Takes Place @ Chapel Arts, Cheltenham (Chapel Arts, Knapp Road (Near St. James Square), Cheltenham. GL50 3QQ)
Enjoy an evening of wonderful songs performed by UK baritone, Les Mis and Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Anthem star, Rodney Earl Clarke who returns to Chapel Arts with long standing pianist, Marina Savova to present an evening of English Song, Chanson and Lieder.
The programme will include Let Us Garlands Bring by Finzi, a selection of songs by Duparc and Schumann’s famous song cycle Dichterliebe.
Hailed by Gramophone as a “singer to be watched”, Rodney Earl Clarke is recognised for his versatility in performance,Rodney has appeared in many shows including Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall, London, Jude Kelly’s award winning production of Bernstein’s, On the Town; Kenneth Branagh’s epic film version of Mozart’s, The Magic Flute; Sondheim’s 80th Birthday Celebration Prom, The Broadway Sound BBC Prom with the John Wilson Orchestra, Jake in Gershwin’s, Porgy & Bess under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle and Crown in Porgy & Bess under the direction of John Doyle with the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. He starred in Crazy for Gershwin and has performed many times on BBC Radio 2 Friday Night is Music Night, notably in the David Jacobs Tribute Concert alongside Michael Ball, Gary Williams and Hannah Waddingham. He is currently performing the role of the Bishop of Digne in London’s West End production of Les Misérables.
Rodney has performed around the world including Australia in 2014 where he performed songs from the Gershwin Songbook alongside Australian soprano Julie Lea Goodwin and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Boston Pops Orchestra conductor, Keith Lockhart. Earlier that year he joined the BBC team of TV presenters for the Proms, alongside Suzy Klein. In 2015, he returned to Australia to perform the bass solos in Handel’s Messiah at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Philharmonia under the baton of Brett Weymark. In 2016, he starred in an arena tour of West End/Broadway hits concert with the Czech Philharmonic under the baton of Keith Lockhart working alongside Louise Dearman, Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley.
In 2017 he released his debut album, Glorious Quest, hits from the Golden Age of Broadway Musicals with pianist Christopher Gould. He featured on the World Cup ’98 Pavane BBC album and continues to work on recording projects with award winning composers, Anthony and Gaynor Sadler, most recently Mantra a song inspired by the tragic murder of George Flloyd, a statement of intent to overcome prejudice through togetherness.
Rodney remains grateful for the guidance and support shown from his alma mater the Royal Academy of Music where he was awarded the Richard Lewis/Jean Shanks Award 2001 and generously supported by the Sir Peter Moores Foundation. Rodney was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his services and contributions to the music industry.
Having overcome the challenges of having a stutter, Rodney also devotes his time to helping others who face challenges in their communication and speech, using the power of singing to guide them towards greater fluency and confidence in his online platform Singing Speaking.
He currently lives in East Sussex with his wife and seven year old son who both continue to be his inspiration and driving force in life.