Join internationally acclaimed soprano Charlotte for a breath-taking evening of opera, film and festive music in the magnificent Wells Cathedral.
Callas Candlelight Christmas brings together the timeless beauty of Puccini and Bellini, the cinematic worlds of Hans Zimmer, and cherished Christmas classics, performed live with exceptional musicians in the glow of candlelight.
Heart-stirring arias from two of the greatest composers.
Unforgettable music from iconic film soundtracks.
Celebrate the season with much-loved choral pieces.
Charlotte is a passionate and versatile soprano, known for her expressive performances and engaging stage presence. She performs a wide repertoire from much-loved opera to cinematic favourites and contemporary works, captivating audiences in some of the UK's most beautiful venues.
Callas Candlelight Christmas is a very special evening, bringing together the music that has inspired and moved so many, in the extraordinary setting of Wells Cathedral.
“I first discovered singing at nine, as a member of my local church choir — it planted a love of music that has stayed with me ever since. Years of lessons, on and off, followed, until a period of meditation in Goa, India, brought a moment of total clarity: singing was the path I wanted to give my life to. That decision led me to Porto, Portugal, busking in the square outside Sé Cathedral, where I discovered an opera school. Four years at the conservatoire there shaped the singer I am today, before I returned to the UK to continue my journey.”
“Some performances have stayed with me for years — singing Un bel dì vedremo from Madama Butterfly alongside Paul Potts, working with the United Europe Orchestra in Vienna, bringing opera to unexpected places like the riverbank in Richmond and the streets of Porto. But looking back, what I'm proudest of isn't any single performance — it's the journey itself, built on determination and a genuine love of the art form. The moments I treasure most are often the quietest ones, when the music reaches someone so deeply they're moved to tears. That's what performing is truly about.”
“Performing at Wells Cathedral at Christmas is incredibly special to me — the beauty, history and atmosphere of the building create a setting unlike any other. If a performance moves even one person deeply, I feel I've done my job. Those are the moments I cherish, and they remind me why I sing.”
“This evening's programme is deeply personal. Puccini and Bellini sit at the heart of my love for opera — soaring, human stories of loss, longing and hope. Hans Zimmer's Interstellar, performed by candlelight in the cathedral, brings something else entirely — I think the setting and the sound will work together beautifully. And the Christmas music is closest to my heart of all. Walking in the Air, from The Snowman, was given to me by my grandmother, who paid for my very first singing lesson when I was six or seven. Every time I sing it, I carry a part of her with me.”
Experience the magic of live music in one of England's most extraordinary cathedrals. The candlelit Nave of Wells Cathedral provides a breathtaking backdrop for an evening of timeless music and festive celebration.