Amanda Forbes brings together her passion for jazz and opera in this EP through her contemporary adaptations of famous opera arias and covers of cherished jazz standards. Classically trained at London's Royal Academy of Music and National opera studio, Amanda has performed in the major opera houses and concert halls across the UK, Europe and Australia. Career highlights include the world premiere of Philip Glass’s opera The Trial at the Royal Opera House where she created the roles of Leni and Fräulein Bürstner. She performed the role of the Duchess in the UK premiere of Salvatore Sciarrino’s The Killing Flower for Music Theatre Wales which also premiered at the Royal Opera Covent Garden and Buxton festival. In 2017 Amanda will be performing the world premiere of a one woman opera composed for her voice based on poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s set of poems ‘The World’s Wife’ by Tom Green premiering at the Welsh National Opera. Amanda performed as an opera singer on BBC's hit comedy Episodes in season 2, co-starring alongside Matt le Blanc and Tamsin Greig. Her major awards include winner of the Australian National Aria, The Joan Sutherland Singing Competition Sydney, and the Richard Lewis /Jean Shanks award for the best vocalist at the Royal Academy London. “Amanda Forbes is mesmerising as the coquettish Leni and Fräulein Bürstner.” The Financial Times - London "Anyone hearing the mellifluous soprano of Amanda Forbes might easily find themselves seduced" -British Theatre Guide About the songs: 1.Habanera This famous seductive aria from the opera Carmen is sung by the title character. Carmen works in a cigarette factory in Seville, and one day after work she sings to the other cigarette girls about how messed up love is. When you want love it will just hurt you and twist you about, but the minute you stop looking it comes running to you. Amanda has updated the original French lyrics and melded the tune into a jazz/cabaret style. 2. Summertime Known as one of the most famous jazz standards of all time, the song is actually an aria from Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess, and was one of the main inspirations Amanda had for arranging other opera arias into crossover styles. 3. O Mio Babbino Caro One of the most loved and popular arias ever written, this song is from the opera Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini. It is sung by the character Lauretta, who's father is about to separate her from the man she loves because of tensions between the two families. In this song Lauretta begs her father to change his mind, as she will take her life if she cannot be with her man. 4. There is no greater love This gorgeous jazz standard by Isham Jones has been covered by many incredible artists, but namely the amazing Amy Winehouse who continues to be one of Amanda's biggest inspirations musically - so this is a little tribute to her. Vocals: Amanda Forbes Guitar: Jonathan Wiseman Recorded at Porcupine Studios, London in March 2017 Sound Engineer: Nick Taylor