Mezzo-soprano
I Fagiolini is a group which has been busier than ever during lockdown, thanks to the amazing energy and creativity of Robert Hollingworth. In tandem with brilliant writer Timothy Knapman, who created the scripts for us, Robert has devised three mini lockdown-style dramas, Le Zoom, Cake Mix and Phone-y Canzone-y! See the fruits of this (music by Monteverdi and Milhaud) by clicking on the link below.
Link: Not in this Together
Jacob Heringman has written a great blog post (link below) on the process of making our socially-distanced duets (I in Mechelen, Belgium, he in Richmond, Yorkshire). 'Music is like love,' he writes. This time of separation has made it clear how unique the experience of making music together in one space really is - and we miss it, and each other, very much. For a link to the duets themsleves, see 'Isolation Blues' below.
Link: Jacob's blog
We've been finding some ways to show some love for each other and for music during lockdown. Lutenist Jacob Heringman and I have filmed three songs on suitable texts - Dowland's O Sweet Woods, Danyel's He whose desires are still abroad and Morley's Absence, hear thou my protestation - which you can hear via the link below.
Link: Isolation Blues
Mynstrelles with Straunge Sounds (Rose Consort of Viols) is drawing lovely reviews ('totally beguiling' Guardian, 'the glorious voice of Clare Wilkinson, one of the finest early-music singers around' Andrew Benson-Wilson). In the meantime we launched Anne Boleyn's Songbook in the perfect surroundings of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (you can see the taster film if you click the link below). To follow soon is Bach's Magnificat with the Dunedin Consort, with a super team of friends. Details of all disks on my Discography page.
Link: Anne Boleyn taster
While nice reviews keep coming for Adoramus te with the Rose Consort of Viols ('True harmonic oratory' - Early Music Today) our next CD is almost ready! Mynstrelles with Straunge Sounds, to be released by Delphian, will feature Josquin 'hits' De tous biens plaine and Fortuna desperata.
Link: Read latest reviews here
I'm proud to be involved in The Ministry of Operatic Affairs' new production, Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. As Amor, I pull everybody's strings, largely from the comfort of my bath, in this freshly-imagined retelling of the old story. Come along and be bewitched!
Link: Read more here
'Adoramus te' is Editor's Choice in Gramophone! Two reviews have now singled out Byrd's With lilies white as a favourite, so I have now it to my 'Listen & Watch' page - click the menu on the left to listen, or below to read the review.
Discussing and performing Bach with John Eliot Gardiner - an excerpt from his recent documentary 'Bach - A Passionate Life'.
Link: Take a look here!
My new CD with the Rose Consort of Viols (see Discography) has attracted some nice reviews. This is a collection of gems from the pens of Peter Philips and William Byrd, including the first performance of Byrd's 'Adoramus te' as he intended it.
Link: Click here to read
New disk out! To mark 400 years since El Greco's death, Ensemble Plus Ultra have recorded a wonderul selection of music from Toledo. Includes Lobo's sublime 'Versa est in luctum'. Available from Deutsche Grammophon or iTunes.
Link: Deutsche Grammophon
My most beloved composer is always at the forefront as Easter approaches. Nice to take down the battered blue Bärenreiters from the shelf and see what there is still to discover - there's always plenty! Then there's Schütz next week, another favourite (I'll be remembering 'Herr, wir haben gedacht' - Bach's little moment of Schütz in the St Matthew), and to finish the Easter season, 'Ah, dear heart' - a concert in memory of a very special man.
I wish you all a wonderful 2014! Here is the new video trailer for our popular project 'Divine Madness': a moment of reflection before you plunge into January. Do come and say hello if you come to any of my concerts this year!
Link: Click here
Off to Teatro de la Maestranza, Seville, for the last Messiahs of 2013. Should be the loudest yet; fully expecting to have my score blown away by the massed chorus of hundreds ranged in the auditorium.
Link: Click here for details
Messiah season is in full swing! Delighted to be returning to Washington DC for three performances at the National Cathedral. Much looking forward to seeing esteemed colleagues Gillian Keith, Rufus Müller and Nathan Berg, and director Michael McCarthy. Hallelujah!
Immersed in the strange and wonderful world of Gesualdo madrigals. Only London concert of the series is tomorrow night, Nov 25, at the Union Chapel, Islington. A few tickets left. Don't miss it!
Link: Details here
Tonight Bath Spa will encompass a Grand Tour of renaissance Europe, with the Rose Consort of Viols. Josquin, Isaac, Lassus, Claudin, Byrd, Tallis. Something for everyone!
Link: Click here for info
Melancholy in English lute songs and Arab Sufi literature. With Sofie Vanden Eynde (lute) and Moneim Adwan (oud and voice). 'Divine Madness' explores a realm of musical and literary traditions that, though apparently distant from each other, constantly reflect their own image until both worlds eventually merge into one. Music by Dowland, Ferrabosco and others.
Link: Click here for more
The latest offering from Andrew Parrott and the Taverner Consort is out! What a privilege to sing Speranza to Charles Daniels' Orfeo.
I Fagiolini's hit with Australian acrobats Circa returns! Stunning aerial displays in English cathedrals. Shows are selling out fast - get your tickets now!
Link: Click here for info
'...Clare Wilkinson, whose distinctive alto, straightforward in expression and tellingly connected to her speaking voice, lends fragility to 'Von den Stricken.' Her desolate, almost whispered 'Die Trauernacht' in 'Es ist vollbracht!' also stabs to the heart.' Lindsay Kemp
Immensely looking forward to my favourite Haydn Mass with the SCO and Adam Fischer. I was lucky enough to feature on the SCO's 'In Conversation' page talking about the piece - take a look!
The Dunedin Consort's liturgical reconstruction of the St John Passion - as it would have been heard in Bach's time in Leipzig - has been named Gramophone's Recording of the Month. ‘Naturalness and emotional honesty are what emerge from this tight-knit and perfectly paced ensemble Passion...' (Gramophone). Due for release March 18, but available for pre-order via my Discography page now!
Link: Read more here
The new St John Passion with the Dunedin Consort under John Butt will be released on March 18, and is now available to pre-order!
Link: Pre-order here
Cameras will be rolling tomorrow for Sir John Eliot Gardiner's TV documentary, to be aired on BBC2 on Easter Saturday 2013. Several beautiful alto arias are on the menu, including 'Bereite dich, Zion' from the Christmas Oratorio and 'Es ist vollbracht' from the St John Passion.
Divine Madness premiered to full halls in Antwerp, Sint-Truiden, Lommel and Brussels. New performances are coming in thick and fast, so watch this space! Then on to the University of York, coaching their vocal consort groups - some fantastic singing and refreshing enthusiasm from them. Tonight a musical banquet with I Fagiolini at the Cadogan Hall - including a staged ensalada by da Flecha.
Our exciting new collaboration with Moneim Adwan (oud and voice - visit http://moneimadwan.net) receives its first performance on Jan 30 at the Vleeshuys Museum, Antwerp, at 3pm. English lute songs and Arabic songs on the theme of melancholy, and a new commission from Thomas Smetryns. Entry is free of charge! With Sofie Vanden Eynde, lute.
Link: More information
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