One of the hardest things I think I have ever done

Performing live always brings unique challenges as musicians work within different acoustical spaces and with very different audiences. For Olivia Fleming, there was an extra layer – she was the bride.

It was a gorgeous June day when Olivia and her soon-to-be husband Harry, were surrounded by close friends and family. Olivia was to provide the musical backdrop to serenade her bridesmaids down the aisle. She chose the famed love duet “All I Ask of You” by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and the emotion of the lyrics made completing the song a challenge. “This was one of the hardest things I think I have ever done,” Olivia shared on her Instagram page.

 

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A post shared by Olivia Flemming-Bamber (@oliviaflemmingbamber)

Olivia further shared with us:

There are a few reasons behind choosing the song “All I ask of you” to sing on my wedding day, other than the obvious reason being I have always been a huge fan of Phantom of the Opera and dreamed myself playing as Christine Daaé, so it was my perfect opportunity to seize the moment and sing one of my favourite songs for my bridesmaids to walk down the aisle. The other reason is, if you listen closely to the lyrics, it’s so romantic and meaningful. When I was singing, it was raw emotion and you can hear it in my voice and when you look at the meaning of that song it says she asks him to share his life with her and promises that she will follow him wherever he goes. The lyrics say that all she wants is for them to be together and for him to love her. I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion hence why there was a moment where I didn’t think it would be possible to finish the last verse. Luckily my dad was waiting with me so I had his support and encouragement.

Over the years, people have always joked about me singing on my wedding day but I wanted to surprise not just my husband Harry but all of my guests too and my bridesmaids didn’t know until they were about to walk down the aisle. I told them “Just look at me and wait for the cue to walk” so I felt like I was wearing a lot of hats that morning not just the tiara. I was extremely nervous on the morning and very emotional, but I kept myself busy so I didn’t have to think about singing until the time came. Reflecting back on the wedding day, I remember people coming over to me to say they couldn’t believe how much pressure I put myself under but I am so happy I did it, it was unique and the memories I made that day I will cherish forever.

We wish all the best to the new Mr. & Mrs. Bamber and look forward to seeing Olivia’s musical aspirations continue to flourish in this new season of her life.

Photos thanks to Katrina Bartlam.

Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.