Louise Howlett, originally from England, studied classical singing at the Royal College of Music in London with Margaret Cable. She was also a member of the National Youth Music Theatre,touring to the Bergen Festival and Edinburgh Main and Fringe Festivals, as well as performing in the award winning production of The Ragged Child at the Sadlers Wells Theatre, London. She performed in television productions of both The Ragged Child and the opera of The Tailor of Gloucester.
She came to South Africa in 1993 for a gap year to work as Organiser for the National Chamber Orchestra in the North West. She combined artistic administration with her singing in concerts and workshops, and moved to Cape Town in 1999 where she is now firmly settled. While maintaining her classical roots, her love of jazz and the musicals led her to create her own unique combination of ‘Across the Styles’ singing projects which she regularly performs with pianist Albert Combrink alongside some of Cape Towns finest instrumentalists.
Louise wears a number of ‘hats’ off stage as well as on. A keen promoter of classical music in Cape Town, she is the General Manager of the Cape Town Concert Series and mentors new generation artists. She is also Artist Liaison for La Motte Wine Estate and co-ordinates amongst all presenters the Unplugged Newsletter, featuring monthly highlights of the classical performances taking place around Cape Town. Louise is also a regular presenter on Fine Music Radio. Her programme For the Love of Opera features all the latest news and reviews of opera around the world today, and her programme PlayOn! highlights South African music and musicians affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Louise came to South Africa in 1993 to work as Organiser for the National Chamber Orchestra in the North West Province and soon decided to make South Africa her home. She sang on many occasions with the NCO including a number of corporate functions in Sun City and Johannesburg. She also performed in a number of Oratoria including the Nelson Mass by Haydn, The Messiah by Handel, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and was involved in choral training workshops and master classes.
In March 1999 she moved to Cape Town where she is now based. Her Cape Town debut took place with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at their Kirstenbosch Millennium Concert, but her love of jazz and the musicals led her to create her own unique combination of classical, broadway and jazz “Across the Styles” singing projects which she regularly performs with pianist Albert Combrink. Performances include such varied events as the Kirstenbosch Classical Chamber Music Series and Big Blues Festival with sold out shows at the Baxter Theatre and the Greyton Rose Festival.
Future plans include further performances at the Baxter Theatre and for the Endler Concert Series. They have also released their first CD “Night Sessions”, generously filled with timeless gems, recorded and produced by Duncan Mackay at Down South Recording.
A keen promoter of classical music in Cape Town, Louise is the General Manager of the Cape Town Concert Series, and is a regular presenter on Fine Music Radio. Her programme “For the Love of Opera” features all the latest news and reviews of opera around the world today.
