Musique Enchantée

In an afternoon of intimacy and charm, Pandy Arthur (soprano) and Margaret Preston (flute) will perform a beautiful selection of French song in a tapestry which includes thoughtful introductions and some of their favourite Scottish songs! They will be accompanied by Blair Cargill on piano.

Pandy and Margaret are long time collaborators who have worked together in recital, light opera and recording studio. As a duo they performed mainly in the trio Arietta with Winifred Foster, composer of operas Pond life, Silverthorpe, and Catherine. Pandy made such an impression on Winnie that the composer designed demanding roles specifically for her.

Other musical highlights include sorties to the West Coast with the well-known George Donald (‘Scotland the What’) and a series of outings with the exuberant and beloved bass baritone Donald Maxwell which opened up a different audience for them!

The intimacy of the recital is where these musicians have been happiest working. Winnie Foster wrote many fine arrangements of opera classics and original songs for Pandy and Margaret - some of which will have an airing in the Aboyne and Deeside Festival!

Blair was awarded an entrance scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and finished his studies on the Advanced Postgraduate course at the Royal Academy of Music. He now teaches piano with Aberdeenshire council and Robert Gordon’s College and performs with several local chamber ensembles and Choral Societies