We recently asked baritone soloist Shaun Brown about his up-coming performances in the Fauré and Duruflé Requiems with Brisbane Chorale.

First of all, take us behind the scenes of your pre-concert preparation.  What sort of things do you do (or avoid doing) in the days and hours leading up to a performance to ensure your voice will be at its best?

I should try to stop teaching as this is a strain on the voice that people don’t realise. It has a huge adverse effect. It is a luxury if you can get even one day off before a show. At times, I try to steam the few nights before a show. Slow, gentle warm-ups in the middle of the voice and drinking lots of water the few days before.

Do you have any special memories associated with performing the Fauré Requiem or Duruflé Requiem?

Singing the Fauré Requiem in Mayne Hall before it was converted into the Art Museum is something that always sticks in my mind for some reason. I remember the entire theatre was full and the choir was huge.

Which of these works do you enjoy performing most as a soloist and why?

Hard to differentiate as they are both wonderful in their own way. The Fauré, because the Libera me with chorus just sits well for the baritone, but the Duruflé because it is so different from baritone solos in the other requiems.

What are you most looking forward to about the ‘Into Paradise’ concert?

Listening to the UQ Singers join with Brisbane Chorale and rehearsing the entire score with those singers in preparation for the concert.  And singing with Sarah (soprano soloist Sarah Crane) is always extra special as it is something we don’t do regularly.