Angela Gheorghiu

Painted in November 2009

Acrylic on canvas - 24 inch x 24 inch

£825

Autographed by Angela in November 2009

I first discovered the magic of Opera in the 1990’s and have had the pleasure of watching many Opera at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. My favourite soprano is Angela Gheorghiu, her angelic voice always sounds out of this world when I see her perform there.

On 10th November 2009, Angela gave a solo concert at The Royal Festival Hall in London, so I took the opportunity to paint her portrait and see if I could ask her to autograph it.

The portrait involved over 30 hours of work.

On the day of her concert I travelled 100 miles up to London and I thought perhaps I could meet her before the concert, as she arrived.

I arrived at the theatre at 4pm.

The lady in stage door reception kindly informed me that Angela would arrive about 6pm.

So I went away and had something to eat and drink, making a change from waiting for hours in the freezing cold for autographs!

I decided to return at 5pm to be sure of meeting Angela.

When I got back, there was another man at the stage door and he said Angela was already inside rehearsing and she didn't have time to come out!

I thought ‘Oh no I have missed her!’ and would probably have to wait a further 7 hours to meet her after the concert.

But, I decided to continue waiting by the stage door anyway, just in case this man was trying to send me away. To my delight, I found the security man at the stage door was either mistaken or was indeed deceiving me, as Angela arrived at 6pm! Just as I was originally told by the previous lady.

Angela looked stunningly beautiful and was so friendly to me.

She kindly suggested we go into the reception of the stage door to get out of the cold. And so she led me in.

Angela was delighted to sign the painting and kindly posed for a photo with me, she even suggested having two photos taken to be sure!

She was such a kind and warm hearted lady and I am so thrilled to have met one of the greatest sopranos in the world and show her my art.

Below is the film of her signing the portrait