Author: Eugenie Absalom
Concert performers Neil Latchman and Amira Fouad are among the aristocracy of London’s artistic world. Classical musicians with style and elegance and blessed with dashing good looks, they were brought together as a stage item by “La Forza del Destino” – twice…
They met during their Freshman’s year at Queen’s University in Canada, performing in concert at the age of 17. Amira was doing her BA in Music while Neil was doing his in English Literature and Music. Then they went their separate ways only to be brought together, by sheer coincidence, eight years later in Kensington, west London.
Born in Trinidad, Neil was just six when he started to sing and enjoyed an outstanding career as a boy soprano, having had the advantage of a family steeped in the arts and classical music. His talent took him years later to London where he was chosen as the tenor for the Commemorative 20th Anniversary Maria Callas Concert. Amira was born in Scotland to Egyptian parents and her career path includes a Who’s Who of the world of classical music including studies with the internationally renowned French pianist, Cécile Ousset. She was awarded a scholarship from the Royal College of Music in London where she received the Master of Music degree studying under the eminent pianist Kendall Taylor. Since her London Debut Recital at St Martinin- the Fields, under the patronage of the Egyptian Embassy, Amira has been touring Europe, North America and the Middle East. She has performed on the concert stages of Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, Victoria Hall in Singapore, the National Concert Hall in Dublin and at Bosendorfer Hall in Vienna.
Meanwhile, Neil was studying singing and piano with tutors of the Juiliard School, New York and later with the renowned Czech mezzo-soprano Gita Denise and French tenor Michel Vallat. His debut in London was with the Orchestral Soloists of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has since performed at the Wigmore Hall, the Barbican Centre and the South Bank and sang in the presence of the Royal Family. Neil’s performance career has taken him to the major concert halls of North America and Europe and as far afield as China and the Far East.
It was something other than their musical careers, which brought Neil and Amira back together. Now living on opposite sides of Hyde Park without realising it, Amira decided to sell her Kensington fl at. Meanwhile, Neil was looking for a place to buy and, extraordinarily, estate agents led him to her property. There he spotted her photograph on a piano in her music room and recognised her. The two could hardly believe they had been living parallel lives as musicians in central London. The talented concert artists decided to embark on a joint stage career, based on their similar musical tastes, interpretations and stylish presentation.
Together they are a dynamic team who understand their audiences whether they are performing on the concert platform, at a corporate event, giving a private recital or top-billing a glittering charity gala. Their programmes extend from classical and concert repertoire to jazz and contemporary cross-over compositions. They are highly sought after both with the major concert venues and private chamber-style evenings, including Embassies and exclusive events in England and abroad. When they are not performing they enjoy time out with their families in London. Here are some of their favourite pursuits:
Q: How do you combine your careers with your busy family lives?
Amira: Rehearsals and concerts can be very demanding and I consider myself really fortunate to have a supportive husband and beautiful twin daughters. They all love having music in the house. I met my husband, a banker, while giving a concert in Cairo, and he enjoys my performances.
Neil: I am married to a medical doctor with a busy central London practice yet she makes the time to attend opening nights, to listen and be constructive. We met at University where I completed my LL.B (Hons) in Law, while pursuing further studies in Voice. We have a delightful two-and-a-half-year-old son with another baby due.
Q: How do you spend your leisure time?
Amira: I enjoy our country club, Stoke Park, where I go to the gym, relax and walk in the beautifully landscaped grounds. I adore the outdoors and fi nd inspiration in the mountains and being near the water and I seize every opportunity to indulge my passion for down-hill skiing.
Neil: Singing and performing are physically very demanding and you need to be fi t. I enjoy the solitude of the gym and play tennis. Paintings and antiques are another passion, Kandinsky being one of my favourite artists. I also enjoy the ballet and performing arts and I chrish every opportunity I get to spend time with my family.
Q: Where do you like to shop?
Amira: My tastes are understated. I like smaller boutiques for personal service. A concert gown must have an impeccable fi t so attentive service is essential for me.
Neil: My stage attire invariably comes from Favorbrook in Jermyn Street as they are classic yet cutting and daring. I like Harvey Nichols and Selfridges for their food halls.
Q: What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant in London?
Amira: Nobu for Japanese and Noura for Lebanese mezze, however I enjoy trying London’s new and upcoming restaurants.
Neil: I enjoy Caribbean, Italian and Japanese cuisine. Apart from a good culinary experience, a restaurant must be relaxed and intimate which is why I am fond of The Tenth at the Royal Garden Hotel – the view of Kensington Gardens is breathtaking.
Q: What is your favourite music? Amira:
As a pianist I admire the music of composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin and have a particular affi nity with the romantics and much of the French repertoire which I studied during my years in Paris.
Neil: I love the operatic and classical French, Italian and Spanish song repertoire. The Italian songs of Tosti are a particular favourite. Amira and I also enjoy the cross-over; tenors since the time of Caruso have recorded and sung the popular melodies of their day. Only recently I recorded ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ and enjoy the songs of Elton John and Sting. I have also recorded the theme songs for two fi lms. I am passionate about Latin music as it is part of my background. I often include in my programmes the Afro-Cuban songs of Cuban composer, Ernesto Lecuona.
Q: What is your favourite London concert venue?
Amira and Neil: The Wigmore Hall.