Introduction:
CLASSICAL CONNECTIONS was formed in 1999 by its Artistic Director - Gillian Ford, and it has been a major feature of P&O's World Cruises for the past 12 years. Their success lies not only in the quality of voices and musicianship, but also in the sheer versatility and energy they bring to the concert stage, from grand opera to classical operetta and musicals, and they bring a unique blend of sophistication, style, and perhaps surprisingly - humour!
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About Classical Connections...
CLASSICAL CONNECTIONS was formed in 1999 by its Artistic Director - Gillian Ford, and it has been a major feature of P&O's World Cruises for the past 12 years. Their success lies not only in the quality of voices and musicianship, but also in the sheer versatility and energy they bring to the concert stage, from grand opera to classical operetta and musicals, and they bring a unique blend of sophistication, style, and perhaps surprisingly - humour!
A much sought-after accompanist and musician, Gillian has worked with the most talented and experienced singers at all the major opera houses of the UK, and most of the Classical Connections team regularly perform at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish National Opera and Glyndebourne, and previously also the D'Oyly Carte. As a result she produces a sparkling team of first-class Artistes each year to present exciting and thrilling programmes, which are always well received and extremely popular amongst both opera lovers and first-time concertgoers alike.
Gillian graduated with the highest honours as both a French horn player and pianist from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, studying piano accompaniment with Graham Johnson OBE and the late Geoffrey Parsons CBE. Concert work has taken Gillian all over the world, most recently Hong Kong, Penang, Barbados, Cape Town, and Banff, Canada where she has performed with her ensemble The New London Piano Trio to critical acclaim. She has recorded for BBC Radio 3, Classic FM (Platform Live) and Channel 4 Television.
Since 1999 she has been the Director of Classical Connections, and is responsible for programming and providing all the opera concerts on board P&O's World Cruises each year, as well as for Fred Olsen Cruises. They are now showcased in a double page profile in the new 'P&O 2010-2011 World Voyages' brochure, and will once again be performing on the 2010 World Cruise, which will mark 13 consecutive years with this company, amidst rave reviews.