The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7179 p904-936
22-29 December 2001

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Christmas miscellany summary

Baroque duets may win the day

Evelyne Beech divides her time between professional singing and pharmacy. She performs as a vocalist, singing classical music, and in jazz bands, as well as working as a full-time pharmacist.

Evelyne sings high soprano and has had formal training in voice production. At school she played lead roles in musical productions, such as My Fair Lady. "I was always interested in music, right from an early age," she says. "Both my brother and sister were musicians so the house was always filled with music".

Evelyne has sung in city churches and performed recitals at venues in London and other cities. In 1988, she joined another classical soprano vocalist, Jane Field, to form Duo Dolcetini. Their repertoire includes baroque duets by Antonio Vivaldi, Johanne Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as 20th century works by Benjamin Britten and Herbert Howells. The duo still sing together and now perform with piano and small chamber orchestras. They also perform recitals at weddings, church festivals and corporate functions. They have recently finished recording some new works for voice and piano by a British composer, Collin Decio. "It has been extremely challenging, but fun," Evelyne says.

Evelyne also frequently sings with jazz bands Gentle Axe and Brilliant Corners, performing jazz standards, at private functions, hotels and jazz clubs. She sings in both English and French, her second language. "It is good to do something light," she says. "When you are doing classical work it is quite demanding because people are much more critical of what they are listening to." Evelyne adds that is great to be able to let her hair down and show her wilder side. She hopes to make a CD recording of her jazz performances, next year.

Wearing her pharmacy hat, Evelyne is interested in playing a part in developing the role of the pharmacist. She co-owns a pharmacy at Bourton-on-the-water, Gloucestershire, which she started working in 14 years ago. She is a local pharmaceutical committee member and current chairman of the pharmacy development group for Gloucestershire. Evelyne says she likes to get involved in anything that enhances the profile of pharmacists and encourages community pharmacists to work alongside GPs and within the primary care team. However, "the music side is starting to take over a bit," she says, and she may have to give up her share in the pharmacy.

In February, as part of the end of the Japanese festival 2001 celebrations, Evelyne will be making a debut performance of 7th and 8th century poems set to music by British composer Peter Wyer. She will be performing at the Purcell Room, South Bank, London.