Testimonials

“Well we are back from our honeymoon and would like to say a huge thank you for singing at our wedding.
Your voice is breathtaking, which made our ceremony so very special.
We found that having you sing enabled us to take those few minutes, when the focus was on you, to savor and truly take in each other and what was happening. Priceless!
Also, your professionalism from our first email right through to our big day was superb, which helped me greatly to organize it all from abroad. In particular, your ability and willingness to transpose the music we wanted and work with our harpist to enable her to accompany you was amazing.
Thank you so much Marianne!
Please feel free to give out my name and email as a reference.
There is a small token of our gratitude in the post to you – your singing will be treasured by us both in our memories forever.”
Rachel and Mark Harris, Wedding in Hampton Court Castle


“A huge thank you Marianne for all you did to organise the singing and music for our wedding, we are very grateful.
We found you so very helpful in the planning stages and were very appreciative for your dedicated advice, flexibility and promptness in communication and that you were also able to organise the organist to play.
On the day, we were delighted with your beautiful singing – it was just perfect and we were so glad you could also lead the congregation in the other songs. Our guests commented on what a lovely service it was and your singing was an important part of that.
We would recommend you to anyone without hesitation. Thanks again”
Julie & Phillip Hemmings, Wedding in Chipping Camden


“Marianne’s voice and attention to detail made her the perfect addition to our civil partnership. Her delivery was heartfelt and very emotional. The ease with which Marianne reworked the requested song with additional lyrics and her professional manner, assisted in making us feel very assured of smooth delivery on the day. Her attention to detail included driving out to the venue prior to our wedding day as well as testing the acoustics within the venue to ensure perfect delivery on the day.
We could not have asked for more, Marianne’s singing will be part of our fond memories of our special day for many years to come. We can definitely recommend Marianne!”
Anri & Jane, Oxfordshire


“I cannot recommend Marianne enough, her voice is beautiful and she offers a friendly and personal service. She recently sang Ave Maria for us at our church wedding during the signing of the register. Many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed her singing and how she complimented our service perfectly. We kept Marianne’s attendance a surprise and she blended in with our guests until it was time for her to sing! As well as doing a great job on the day she offered so much help and guidance to us before the day. Well, Marianne sang the song joyfully and with emotion that was perfect. She also went to the church before the day and even went to the extra effort of speaking with the organist to ensure that everything went smoothly. If you are not sure whether to book Marianne, then trust me when I say you should! Wedding preparations can be such a costly thing and to spare a little part of that expense for Marianne is well worth it as she adds that something special. Thanks Marianne! ”
Amanda & Adam, Bristol


“Marianne’s commitment to her work is second to none.”
Michael Deason-Barrow (GRSM, ARCM, PGCE)
Director of the Tonalis Music Centre in Gloucestershire  
(Marianne’s long-standing singing teacher and trainer)


“After asking Marianne to sing ‘Ave Maria’ she mentioned she would do a rehearsal at the church prior. My sister and I were filled with emotion as we heard Mariannes voice fill the church as we approached the church door. That amazing feeling hearing her voice comforted us that it would be a special day, – and it was.”
“Thank you Marianne for your professional approach, sensitivity and beautiful voice.”
Jeremy Bisset, London


“I am delighted to write in support of Marianne Lihannah, whom I consider to be a singer with many fine qualities.
I am a singer with 40 years’ experience, having worked in Great Britain and on the Continent. I have done theatre work, broadcasting, soundtrack for film and recording. During this time I have heard many wonderful voices. It was with great pleasure that I came across Marianne’s singing a couple of years ago and was struck by the wonderful timbre of her voice and her vocal ability.
Her modest demeanour belies a total commitment to the performance of her music where her sincerity shines through.
This is an exciting and original new voice on the music scene that deserves to be heard.”
Ron Taylor, Cheltenham


“I am sorry I have not had the time or energy to write before now, but very many thanks for your wonderful contribution to Father Bill’s 20th Anniversary.
He was over the moon! And still is!
Apparently today after Mass he said that Sunday was a life-changing experience.
Your singing was a brilliant start to the day’s celebrations. He especially loves your voice and said to me that it touches his soul!”
Sara Harvey-Craig, Gloucestershire
“Thank you very much Marianne, your heavenly voice brought a real sense of occasion to our wedding service. We were so happy to have you there, helping to make our special day exactly what we wanted it to be.”
Love, Richard and Emily xx, Gloucestershire


“We got back from our honeymoon earlier today and wanted to thank you for helping to make our wedding day so special
The day itself went by so quickly and immediately after the ceremony we were whisked away so I am truly sorry that we didn’t get a chance to speak properly and thank you in person.
The singing was lovely and made the ceremony very special and something we will never forget. Thank you also for taking the trouble to rehearse ‘Summertime’ with Charlotte, it was lovely to hear our favourite songs sung for us personally.
Thank you again for singing for us and for helping to make our day so special.”
Best wishes
John and Debbie Brace, Chippenham


“Thank you Marianne for singing so beautifully at our recent wedding – it was such a treat to have you there! So many of our guests have told us what a lovely touch they thought it was to have you sing during the Communion and signing of the register, and it made the ceremony extra special for us.
You made the booking process so easy and offered us lots of advice on which pieces to choose.
We will definitely recommend you!”
Claire Granados, Wedding in Gloucestershire


“We have just been listening to Marianne‘s CD in the car, which is, for us, a great place for music. She does have the most beautiful voice and I can hear that she has mastered lots of technicalities and difficulties – Bravo! I assume that she got her diploma with flying colours and is now able to go on to the next stage of her musical path. Please pass on our great pleasure in her voice, we specially liked the Ave Maria.”
Claudia Naydler, France


“Your recording of the Beata Viscera is by FAR the prettiest I‘ve ever heard. Even better than Hilliard Ensemble. Any way to get an mp3 of it? I encourage you to do a whole CD of early music since not only do you know how to engage the ear, but it sounds like you did your best to be authentic and actually learned to read the original score. Wow. Keep me informed if you make a cd!”
William Frankeberger, California, U.S.A.


“Thank you Marianne. Please convey my sincere thanks to Liz as well. The singing and music were excellent and portrayed the exact mood we were looking for. So many people commented on it afterwards and it would be an honour to recommend you to friends and family for their special events.”
Ruth Smith, Gloucestershire


“On 7/12/2007, Marianne as part of the ‘Si Canta’ duet, performed the most beautiful singing at a candlelit evening gathering to celebrate our wedding. Every care had been taken to consult us beforehand as to what would be appropriate and we ended up with several superb songs on the theme of ‘Love’, which were a real delight to listen to, making the whole evening
very memorable.”
Jane and Neil, Gloucestershire


“Thank you for your beautiful performance at our wedding. Many of our guests commented on the lovely and unusually beautiful sound of your singing. It certainly added some character to our service and we were pleased you agreed so readily to play a part in it.”
A London Couple  (wish to remain anonymous)


“Marianne is a joy to work with. She is always well-prepared, professional and sensitive to the needs of your special occasion. Her beautiful voice is a lovely additional to any celebration. Marianne’s high notes ring out like a beautiful bell, I love the way she ‘tells the story’ when she sings.”
Wendy Clifford, Gloucestershire


“Marianne’s voice and attention to detail make her the perfect addition to any celebration. Anyone considering hiring Marianne for their wedding, christening or funeral can be assured of her professionalism and beautiful singing.”
Wendy Clifford, Gloucestershire


“A lovely evening of lovely singing. Your voice is beautiful Marianne and you have real presence. That was so moving. I LOVE your Irish and other Folk especially.”
Liz Leachman (GRSM, PGCE), Gloucestershire


Dear Marianne,
Thank you for your wonderful recordings and your beautiful voice singing a tender sadness through my words. I would like it very much if you could realise your project. Such love and rich deep feeling come through in your singing: and these things are rare. So please write back to me to tell how far you’ve gone and the precise way I can help. I really hope this letter reaches you at the right time and in the right way so you can share your good gifts. Meanwhile keep well; look after yourself; and be joyful.
Much warmth,
Ben Okri (award winning author of many books)


Hi Marianne!
We had a thrilling time listening to AVE MARIA and THE SEA INVOCATION.
Ethereal vocals, rendition.
We would recommend friends 2 get married, just 2 have U as the Singer.
Thanx so much 4 comin’ by
Cheers from ‘The Olympic Music Messengers.’


“It was amazing hearing Marianne sing ‘My Lagan Love’. Normally you’ll have to have grown up within the tradition to sing like that. She sings with all the ornaments typical of the old Irish singing style (Seán Nós), that was so moving.”
Comment from Irish audience member. Subscription Room concert.


Dear Marianne,
I looked at your website – it is very lovely, and your repertoire is also very beautiful. I live in Ireland and love medieval music and Scottish songs and music as well as Irish of course. The most beautiful singing comes from the Outer Hebrides, the waulking songs and the songs about the sea; and you have some of these in your repertoire.
What a pity that you do not live in Ireland; I think that if you were to give a performance in Dublin (perhaps sharing a platform with Róisín Elsafty or Anúna!) you would fill the concert hall!
Anyway, nice to be in touch!
All the best,
Jack O’Sullivan, Ireland


“Sweet talented ‘Songstress’, – whenever I listen to your beautiful singing, I feel myself transported back in the time of King Henry VIII and the Tudors. Such is the power of your great voice and my colourful imagination.”
‘Ha Spirit’. (Author, poet and artist)


“Hi Marianne, I have heard your gorgeous singing today. When will you cut a CD so I can hear some more of your songs? It sounds really wonderful, – I got very touched by your beautiful voice.”
James Whitney, Denmark


“Greetings Marianne! Talented and beautiful… a rare mix.”
Julian from ‘Behind Closed Eyes’. (Experimental Music)


“You have a fantastic voice Marianne!”
Josie Lloyd. (Classical composer)


“Your voice is very beautiful! Wonderful songs too!”
Clive Murrel from ‘Wyrdstone’. (Folk band)
“Simply beautiful! Love your music, – you have such a pure and beautiful voice.”
‘Celtic Chill’. (TV and Film Composer)


Dear Marianne:-) Your “Ave Maria” is so enchanting… keep up doing this great work.
All the best from Berlin.
Oliver Larsenbacher, Berlin, Germany


Hey there Marianne and Catharina,
Wow what singing you have here, some incredible harmonies!
I am enjoying more of your haunting and wonderful singing again this morning.
Enchanted by the singing you do, it’s most beautiful.
Cheersfurnoo
Owen (from Triflemore)


Hello “Marianne”!
I enjoy listening to you singing Classical Music, and A’Cappella: “Ave Maria”…! It’s so nice.
You are a Great Singer!
With my best regards,
Jean-Bernard, Brittany, France.


Thank you Marianne. Lovely operatic singing there yourself! Good luck with getting those wedding and funeral bookings! With your lovely voice I’m sure you’ll do well!
All the best,
Andy Smythe


Hello Marianne,
I listened to your singing again, it’s really beautiful. It makes me think what an amazing person your teacher Michael Deason-Barrow must be…!
Amanda Frescura, London