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8 Richard Blackford. THE CAMDEN CHOIR AIMS FOR MUSICAL PERFECTION IN 2017 The ever-adventurous Camden Choir will pay a return visit to St John’s Smith Square for their Spring concert on Saturday 18 March at 19.30 with a double bill of familiar and not-so-familiar music by Gabriel Fauré and Richard Blackford. The choir’s previous visit to St John’s in November 2014, when they performed Handel’s Athalia, was considered an artistic triumph, and it is no exaggeration to say that they will aiming for ‘perfection’ again! Richard Blackford, who was born in 1954, is a prolific composer and conductor. After training at the Royal College of Music, he spent some time in Italy as assistant to Hans Werner Henze (1926–2012) and it was there that he discovered the verses of St Francis of Assisi which inspired him to compose his best known work Mirror of Perfection. It was given its first performance at the Royal Festival Hall in February 1997 by the London Choral Society (now known as The London Chorus) conducted by Ronald Corp. Following this performance The Independent On Sunday’s music critic Michael White wrote: ‘The music comes from the heart with integrity and a technical assurance that firms up what might otherwise be benign lyricism into © Alejandro Tamagno something of stature and beauty... there’s a crying need for this kind of music and not enough composers of consequence who seem willing or able to meet it.’ Mirror of Perfection is scored for soprano and baritone soloists, chorus and orchestra, and consists of seven canticles, beginning with the Canticle of the Creatures and ending with the Canticle of Peace.The words are in medieval Italian and Richard Blackford has been helping with their pronunciation. Fauré’s Requiem needs no introduction, being one of the best-loved compositions in the entire choral catalogue. It was written between 1887 and 1890, during which period both his parents died. It contrasts strongly with his compatriot Hector Berlioz’s Requiem, premiered 50 years earlier, being of a far more serene nature; and it could be said to prefigure the setting by Maurice Duruflé, written during World War II. It was in fact performed at Fauré’s own funeral in 1924. The Requiem also contains seven movements. The concert will be conducted by Julian Williamson and features the Camden Choir with soloists Lesley-Jane Rogers (soprano), David Stout (baritone) and the Pro Arte Orchestra. Box office telephone: 020 7222 1061. FRANKENSTEIN TO COME TO WILTON’S MUSIC HALL One of the greatest gothic tales of all time will come to life in the eerily atmospheric Wilton’s Music Hall in an extraordinary new production of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein, from 7 –18 March. The original story was written when Shelley was just 18 years old, and tells the tale of Frankenstein, a young scientist who brings a gruesome body to life. Cast out into a hostile world, Frankenstein’s Photo: Philip Tull. creature searches for his true identity and, on realising how he came to be, learns the pain of rejection and broken promises. Vengeful, dangerous and in bloodthirsty pursuit of his maker, the creature threatens to destroy Frankenstein and the lives of everyone he loves. This brand new version of Shelley’s immortal tale is directed by Eleanor Rhode and reimagined by Tristan Bernays. A transfer from the award winning, internationally renowned Watermill Theatre where it enjoyed a successful short run in 2016, George Fletcher and Rowena Lennon perform this take on a powerful and dark masterpiece that explores the timeless relationship between parent and child, isolation, prejudice and revenge and speaks to our modern society. t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e
LONDON HANDEL FESTIVAL 2017 The London Handel Festival has announced the programme for its 2017 Festival – a six week celebration of the life and work of Handel, in particular his lesser-known works and life as a European naturalised immigrant, entrepreneur and philanthropist. As always, the London Handel Festival also presents works by his contemporaries and this year has a special focus on Telemann, marking the 250th anniversary of his death. The London Handel Festival’s musical director, Laurence Cummings, is one of the world’s leading conductors and his knowledge of the repertoire and dedication to nurturing young singers ensures that the programming and casting of all operas and concerts presented during the Festival remains as distinctive and engaging as ever. While continuing to present concerts at Handel’s parish church, St George’s, Hanover Square, this year’s Festival expands to take over London with events at Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall and Royal College of Music. The 2017 Festival opens with a performance of Handel’s unjustly neglected opera Faramondo, a spicy tale of warring houses and love triangles. Conducted by Laurence Cummings and fully staged at Royal College of Music’s Britten Theatre, in partnership with the RCM International Opera School, the opera is given four performances (20, 21, 23 & 25 March). Another neglected masterpiece by Handel is his oratorio Joseph and his Brethren which will be conducted by Cummings and a cast led by Christopher Ainslie and Elizabeth Watts at St George’s, Hanover Square. 2017 also marks the 15th anniversary of the Handel Singing Competition which has given now established artists such as Iestyn Davies, Ruby Hughes, Josep-Ramon Olivé and Rupert Charlesworth, all of whom are past finalists, valuable exposure and recognition. Further details at www.london-handel-festival.com Laurence Cummings, Musical Director of London Handel Festival. Photo: Anton Sckl 9 t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e
Page 1 and 2: 60 Years Informing International &
Page 3 and 4: 3 CONTENTS Events 4 Mountbatten Fes
Page 6 and 7: 6 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS WORLD TOUR 2
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Page 12 and 13: 12 LONDON CHORAL SINFONIA PRESENT D
Page 14 and 15: 14 David Mach, RA, 'Menage a Trois
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Page 21 and 22: MUSICALS KINKY BOOTS Inspired by a
Page 24: The SSE Arena WEMBLEY Thu 13 April

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