In this episode, OAE Rising Star of the Enlightenment alumna Rebecca Leggett joins Netty for a chat ahead of performing Handel’s Messiah at Lewes Town Hall with the East Sussex Bach Choir. They reminisce about their first meeting and Rebecca's remarkable ability to step in at the last minute to cover an ill soloist during the St John Passion tour with Mark Padmore. Rebecca also shares her love for Bach and Purcell, as well as her vocal heroines.

Rebecca grew up surrounded by music. Based in Haywards Heath, she was part of youth choirs and had the opportunity to sing in professional venues from as young as 11 years old. She explored playing the violin, clarinet, and guitar before focusing on singing. Rebecca expresses some of the challenges of singing Handel and discuss why singers should not be labelled or confined to a specific voice type, as well as her hopes to explore a wider range of repertoire.

When she is not performing on stage, Rebecca enjoys singing various genres, from lullabies to folk songs, accompanied by her guitar in a relaxed setting.

Tea with Netty is our podcast hosted by viola player Annette Isserlis (Netty). Over a cuppa (or something a little stronger…), Netty chats with a variety of conductors, players and other guests as she ‘spills the tea’ on the side of classical music you don’t normally hear. Available as Apple podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, TuneIn+Alexa