Gina Fergione

Singer

I am on a journey, seeking to find ways to release tension in body, mind, spirit and the emotions in order to sing with freedom and authentic expression. I enjoy singing a variety of styles from Medieval to Contemporary. Here are some places I have landed on the voyage so far.

It all began many moons ago, when I joined the Sheffield Girls Choir, directed by Vivian Pike. We were hot news at the time and won all the competitions going – Montreux Festival, Llangollen Festival, the first Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year competition to name a few. We were invited to sing nationally and internationally for several years following the success. It was a most exciting time of my life and set my path towards further studies. At Dartington I discovered the innovative performances of Cathy Berbarian and Linda Hirst which inspired me to experiment with new more compositional ways of bringing a programme together. After Dartington, I came to London to sing as a choral soloist with:-

  • The Campion Singers (directed by Michael Procter)
  • The Renaissance Singers (directed by Michael Proctor)
  • The Holst Singers (Directed by Stephen Layton)
  • The Oriana Singers (directed by David Moss)
  • The Academy-of St-Martin-in-the-Fields Choir and Chorus (directed by Sir Neville Mariner)
  • The Music Ensemble of London (directed by Keith Williams)
  • Psalite (directed by Nancy Haddon)
  • Choir of St Peter’s Italian Church, Clerkenwell (directed by Antonio Pappano Riccio X)

I was awarded a Lilian Baylis scholarship to study on the “Knack” at English National Opera, tutored by Anthony Legge, Mary King, Rufus Norris and Deborah Warner.

In 1996 I received a choral scholarship to sing in a double quartet at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London. 

Solo Oratorio includes

Mozart – Requiem

Vivaldi – Magnificat and Gloria

Bach – B minor mass

Bach – St Matthew Passion

Bach – St John passion

Handel – Messiah

Buxtehude – Membra Jesu Nostri

Pergolesi – Stabat Mater

Masses by Schubert, Mozart and Haydn.

Chamber Opera Company

I instigated a chamber opera company, Opera Venus. We performed “Dangerous Love” – A fully staged realisation of Carlo Gesualdo’s third book of madrigals, which involved a multi media collaboration of script writing, choreography, set and costume design. 291 Gallery, Shoreditch, London.

The New London Chamber Choir

In 2024, I joined the New London Chamber Choir. Click here for their website.

Festivals include:

Flanders, Montreux, Vienna, Llangollen, Greenwich Early Music, Brighton, Stoke Newington Contemporary Music and the Dartington International Summer School. 

Operatic Roles Include:

Venus (Albion & Albanius) directed by Anthony Rooley

Queen’s Attendant (The Play of Daniel) directed by Michael Fields and Evelyn Tubb

Singer 1 (The Europera’s by John Cage) directed by Linda Hirst

Singer (A Medicine for Melancholy) by Orlando Gough for ENO

Belinda/Dido (Dido & Aeneas) for Opera Integra

Nella (Giianni Schicchi) for Opera Integra

Alisa (Lucia di Lammermoor) for Opera Integra

Meg Page (Falstaff) for Opera Integra

3rd Sprite (Rusalka)for City Lit Opera

Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro) for City Lit Opera

Despina and Dorabella (Cosi Fan Tutte) for City Lit Opera

Lucretia (The Rape of Lucretia) for City Lit Opera

The Governess (The Turn of the Screw) for City Lit Opera.

sound sculptures

Sound Sculptures

Gina worked with Derek Sheil and the Sound Sculptures. She has premiered a number of compositions written for voice and Sound Sculptures, including national tours. 

Contemporary Performances and Commissions

“Invocation”  by  Brian Inglis – Solo voice and sound sculptures

“Peace” by  Brian Inglis – Solo voice, children’s choir and chamber orchestra

“Extasis” by Brian Inglis –  Solo voice

A mass for St Peter’s Church by Brian Inglis

“WMD’s” by Roberto Filoseta

Song cycles by Robert Carrington

“Salakele Vago” for two voices, by Gina 2012

Cathy Berbarian – Strpsody

“Sequenza 3” by Luciano Berio

“Only” by Morton Feldman

“Salakele Vago” for two voices by Gina

“Diana of the Ephesians” by Matthew Lee Knowles at the SNCMF 2012.

“Amo” by Chiristopher Scobie

“The Wonderful Widow of 18 Springs” and “Aria” by John Cage

“Quid Sum Miser” by Lisa Reim

“But Stars Remaining” by Nicola Le Fanu at the SNCMF 2013.

Radio

The City Lit Radio Theatre Company, 2024

Resonance FM and Radio Seattle

Plays

The Yellow Wallpaper, Landor Theatre – Solo voice and composer

L’Hypochondriac by Moliere – Voice for the Dulwich Players.

Cabaret Duo

Voice and piano duo with Brian Inglis specialising in contemporary and traditional works by Michael Nyman, Edith Piaf, Weill, Rodrigo and Neopolitan songs.

The Woodlea Singers

Woodlea Singers

In 2017 I formed a quartet of local singers . We sing for occasions and charity events.

Indian Music

As a student, I spent a year learning to play the tablas and Indian singing with Pandit Sharda Sahai and Frances Shepherd. I have collaborations with tabla player Kamalbir Nandra and santor player Dhevdas Nair and the sarangi player, Suhail Khan. I have recently bought myself an Indian harmonium with the intention of improvising, composing and collaborating.

The Vocal Constructivists

The Vocal Constructivists

Founded by Jane Alden in 2011 to give the first all-vocal performance of Cornelius Cardew’s Treatise (1967), the Vocal Constructivists now have an established reputation for offering adventurous performances, live and online. Coming from diverse backgrounds that include classical music, dance, mime and noise art, they specialize in the realization of works in open notation. I have been a member since 2014 and absolutely love it!

GIna

Other Performances

I performed John Cage’s Aria at a VIP event at the Union Chapel, London

I was the mezzo-soprano soloist in the Visions of Ecstasy concert (Contemporary settings of works by Hildegard of Bingen) at St Margaret Patten’s church, central London.

I have performed “Invocation” at The Gallery in Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London, with Derek Shiel and the Sound Sculptures.

I perform Elizabethan lute songs at the Stoke Newington Literary Festival.

During the Pandemic, I was invited to record two solos for “The Great Turning”, an international project composed by June Boyce-Tillman.

I also sing Schubert and classical repertoire with pianist Andrew Kennaugh.

I was also a singer with jazz funk band, Baton Rouge, performing in London venues and recording.

Dancing is an essential aspect to movement on the stage.

I practise Egyptian, Brazilian, Contemporary, Ballet, Tango and Baroque Dance as well as hoola-hooping.

I sing regularly for occasions and events such as weddings and funerals, with lutenists, harpsichordists, pianists, organists and in a quartet.

Since 2015, I have been running a Classical Music Appreciation Group at Stoke Newington Library as a volunteer.

Singing

Output Arts

Output Arts is an art collective founded in 2009. They make site-specific, interactive and participatory audiovisual artworks and experiences. I have been invited to sing and compose a piece based on  a chant O Viridissima Virgo, Hildegard von Bingham. She has also sung lute songs and composed interactive pieces for voice and organ. 

Joni Mitchell

caberet

I set up an ensemble Both Sides Now with harpsichordist Bridget Cunningham and cellist Lucille Perrin. We performed music with common themes from early times – 16th/17th centuries – to the present day. Our first project is called “John & Joni” which incorporates love songs by the 16th century composer John Dowland and song from the 20th century singer songwriter, Joni Mitchell.

singing

On 22nd 2021, I gave a concert with Gabriel Keen, of the iconic album Blue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its release. We continue to develop the tribute “band” and have had 5 concerts since then. In 2023 we recorded some of Joni’s early songs. We have more concerts lined up for this year.

I have taught myself to play some songs on the mountain dulcimer, the instrument that Joni uses on Blue.

Other Projects

paintingOther projects include “Music by Women” which incorporates music by the 17th century composers Barabara Strozzi and Francesca Caccini, and the modern day composers Kate Bush and Bjork. Another project explores the music of 11th century Hildegard of Binghan and 20th century singer Shelagh Chandra.

I also formed an ensemble of saxophones, cello, voice with electronics performing the lute songs of John Dowland which is a project in early stages. Watch this space!

Gina has a duo with Francesco Mariani for voice and guitar. They perform songs by Manuel de Falla, Gabriel Garcia Lorca, Rodrigo, Piazolla, Brouwer, Harrison etc.they have performed at the Stoke Newington Guitar and Contemporary Music Festivals, Burch House in Hampstead and various other venues.

Gina also has a duo with pianist Gabriel Keen, performing an engaging mix of mélodie and chanson. Their CD “Plaisirs d’Amour was released in 2019 and is available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and available to purchase.

Tête à Tête Festival

Singer in the opera, Fragments from a Lost Land, by Susie Self. 10/09/23

London Improvisers Orchestra

Improvisers and Experimentalists

In 2022 I was invited to record and compose for the Francis Child ballad number 303 to be set as a stimulus for the London Experimental Ensemble, working with Richard Thomson, Wesley Stace, Sivert Høyem, Harissa Nadler and Ed Pettersen. My Ballad was played on the programme Flotation Device on 91.3 FM KBCS (Radio Seattle) in August 2023.

In 2023 I joined the London Improvisers Orchestra, performing once a month in London. In October 2023 I joined the London Improvisors Workshop run by Eddie Prévost.

Workshops with Maggie Nicols (2024) and John Stevens (1993)