Samling is taking part in Kings Place's annual Festival and is using the opportunity to bring this new perspective on classical song.
Three concerts explore for the first time the relationship between Schubert’s songs and the drawings of the eminent Austrian artist Martha Griebler (1948–2006). This juxtaposition of great music and art seeks to uncover a deeper understanding of the composer’s inner life, its light and darkness, illuminated by a modern hand.
The triptych ‘Schubert and a Visual Imagination with drawings by Martha Griebler (1948 – 2006)’ will be presented by ten Samling Scholars and programmed by Joseph Middleton. They will feature, through projections onstage, the drawings of eminent Austrian artist Martha Griebler accompanied by the text of each song.
Griebler is considered by critics to be one of the greatest exponents of Schubert imagery. Pianist and Schubert scholar Graham Johnson was astonished by the balance of opposites shown in the drawings, realising that ‘these works of art contained something new…that reflected the light and shade of the music itself.’ This conjunction of great song and art will give those familiar with the work of Schubert, and those who are not, a deeper understanding of the composer’s inner life - the light and the dark - illuminated by a modern hand.
For more information and to book click here.
Concert No. 1 at 1.30pm in Hall One: Faith in Spring
Our journey begins in Spring, the season of natural renewal, rebirth and hope. It is also the season for love which, even when unrequited, can bring one of the greatest Romantic experiences, joy.
Jennifer France soprano
Winner of the 2012 Royal Academy of Music Patrons Award, Jennifer became a Samling Scholar in 2011. Jennifer graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a first class honours degree and Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) and currently studies at RAM.
Anna Stéphany mezzo-soprano
Anna is a graduate of King's College London, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio. Anna will be joining Zürich Opera House from the 2012/2013 season and in her first role with the company will portray Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro.
Philip Smith baritone
Philip made his Wigmore Hall debut in Samling’s Showcase concert in December 2010. Future plans include the release of a recording of Britten Songs with Malcolm Martineau, his return to the Montepulciano Festival to sing Arlekin Ariadne auf Naxos and a recital with Roger Vignoles in Santiago de Compostella.
Joseph Middleton piano
Described in The Times as 'the cream of the new generation', Joseph enjoys a busy and varied career as a chamber musician and song accompanist and gives recitals with internationally established singers of the opera world. Among other projects, this year he curates and plays for a week of BBC Radio 3 lunchtime concerts and recital CDs with Amanda Roocroft, Jonathan Lemalu and Sophie Bevan will be released during the 2012/13 season.
Concert No. 2 at 3pm in Hall One: : Moments of Bliss illuminate the Dark
Night is the time of dreams. Sweet, nocturnal music cures sorrows and pain and acts as a prayer for peace of mind. Consolation is found in rest and dreams for those who are weary of life.
Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Winner of the 2009 Kathleen Ferrier Competition, Sarah-Jane studied at the Royal College of Music and was a participant in the 2011 Salzburg Festival's Young Singers Project. She became a Samling Scholar in 2010 and her future engagements include Pamina Die Zauberflöte for the Opera de Nice; Desdemona Otello for the Cape Town Opera and Contessa Le nozze di Figaro for Glyndebourne on Tour.
Kitty Whately mezzo soprano
Kitty makes her final opera appearance this month for the Royal College of Music International Opera School as Cherubino in their summer production of Le nozze di Figaro. The Kathleen Ferrier Award winner will also give recitals at Buxton Festival and Edinburgh International Festival. Kitty has also recently appeared as Rosina The Barber of Seville for English Touring Opera.
Njabulo Madlala baritone
Winner of First Prize at the 2010 Kathleen Ferrier Competition, Njabubo Madlala was born in South Africa and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London under Mr. Robert Dean. He appeared on the 2011 Opera Highlights tour for Scottish Opera and current highlights include the title role in Don Giovanni for Mid Wales Opera and recitals with Roger Vignoles at the Edinburgh Festival.
Joseph Middleton piano
Described in The Times as 'the cream of the new generation', Joseph enjoys a busy and varied career as a chamber musician and song accompanist and gives recitals with internationally established singers of the opera world. Among other projects, this year he curates and plays for a week of BBC Radio 3 lunchtime concerts and recital CDs with Amanda Roocroft, Jonathan Lemalu and Sophie Bevan will be released during the 2012/13 season.
Concert No. 3 at 4.30pm in Hall One: I am not of this World
The brevity of Schubert’s own life brings a poignancy to his songs of death, but his art accepts mortality without sentimentality or regret. Sometimes there is a vision of a bliss beyond life, where the afflicted soul can be released from earthly strife and the unbearable burden of a whole world of sorrows.
Geraldine McGreevy soprano
With an established reputation as a recitalist and recording artist, Geraldine McGreevy is now establishing herself as an important operatic artist. Geraldine became a Samling Scholar in 1998 participating in one of Samling’s earlier Masterclasses with future engagements including her return to the Royal Opera for Die Walküre and her debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich as Giunone La Calisto.
Clara Mouriz mezzo soprano
Spanish born, Clara Mouriz is rapidly establishing herself as one of the most exciting mezzo-sopranos of her generation. She has been distinguished with an Independent Opera / Wigmore Hall Fellowship for a promising career committed to both opera and song, and she was recently invited to join the BBC New Generation Artist programme.
Benedict Nelson baritone
Hailed by Rupert Christiansen in the Daily Telegraph as Best Newcomer in his “Opera Highlights of 2009”, British baritone Benedict Nelson is one of the most exciting singers of his generation and has attracted comparisons to Gerald Finley and Simon Keenlyside among others. A protegée of Sir Thomas Allen, Nelson made his debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Jiří Bělohlávek in 2010, singing Brahms’ Requiem and is currently singing the title role in Britten’s Billy Budd at English National Opera.
Joseph Middleton piano
Described in The Times as 'the cream of the new generation', Joseph enjoys a busy and varied career as a chamber musician and song accompanist and gives recitals with internationally established singers of the opera world. Among other projects, this year he curates and plays for a week of BBC Radio 3 lunchtime concerts and recital CDs with Amanda Roocroft, Jonathan Lemalu and Sophie Bevan will be released during the 2012/13 season.
