What’s On
Over April to June, we welcome you to join us for six exceptional song recitals across South East London starring some of the world's leading exponents of song, including Roderick Williams OBE (11 April), Elin Manahan Thomas (11 May) and Mark Padmore CBE (21 June).
Roderick Williams Song Masterclass
Leading baritone Roderick Williams OBE guides SongEasel Young Artists through the art of performing song, in this engaging event open to all.
Recital Series Launch: The Land of Lost Content
A recital of song featuring Roderick Williams OBE (baritone), Iain Burnside (piano) and Leon Bosch (double bass)
Fauré Listening Club
Our celebrations of the one hundredth anniversary of Fauré’s death commence with a special Listening Club featuring some of the composer’s best-loved works. Curated and introduced by Dr Emily Kilpatrick, this informal event will feature Fauré’s Aprés un rêve, Pavane, Dolly Suite, Libera Me from his Requiem and his exquisite Cantique de Jean Racine.
Featuring Helen Lacey (soprano), Johannes Gerges (bass), Oliver Cavadino (flute), The Choir of St Laurence Church, Catford and Jocelyn Freeman (piano/conductor)
Free admission, retiring collection
Nearest stations: 8 mins walk from Catford and Catford Bridge (11 mins London Bridge / 23 mins Blackfriars)
Fringe Performance 1
Helen Lacey (soprano) and Stella Marie Lorenz (piano) perform an eclectic programme of songs including works by George Gershwin and Francis Poulenc, as well as a selection of Italian parlour songs.
Fauré Mélodies Masterclass with Roy Howat
Leading Fauré expert Roy Howat guides SongEasel Young Artists through the art of performing the mélodies of Gabriel Fauré
Fauré: Requiem - Fauré 100
SongEasel presents the 1893 version of Fauré’s iconic Requiem Op. 48, featuring celebrated soprano Elin Manahan Thomas alongside rising star baritone Malachy Frame, and the Corbett Consort.
Fauré: Complete Mélodies
Acclaimed young tenor Gwilym Bowen features with Lucy Gibbs (mezzo-soprano) and Jared Andrew Michaud (baritone) alongside SongEasel Young Artists in an historical performance of Fauré’s complete mélodies across the composer’s centenary weekend.
An Evening of Don Juan
The course of Lord Byron’s epic poem Don Juan is plotted through song, featuring prize-winning soprano Ella Taylor with SongEasel Artistic Director Jocelyn Freeman (piano)
Fringe Performance 2
Helen Lacey (soprano) and Stella Marie Lorenz (piano) bring their eclectic programme of songs by George Gershwin and Francis Poulenc, as well as a selection of Italian parlour songs to the vibrant outdoor stage in Walworth.
Free admission, retiring collection
Nearest station: Elephant & Castle (12mins walk)
Shakespeare in Song
The renowned young Nigerian-American soprano Francesca Chiejina joins Jocelyn Freeman for a celebratory programme of Shakespeare settings to mark the 460th anniversary of his birth
Series Finale: The Wanderer and The Soldier
Our series finale presents internationally acclaimed tenor Mark Padmore CBE and pianist Jocelyn Freeman in a beautifully curated recital paying homage to two of Lord Byron’s Dulwich classmates: the celebrated pedestrian Captain Robert Barclay and Major-General John Gaspard Le Marchant
Young Artists' Platform: Community Performance Platform 4
The last in the series of performances in which our young artists get the opportunity to perform to elderly residents of Lewisham. This performance will be curated by pianist and vocal coach, Sholto Kynoch.
Quintessential Song Series: Eventide till Dawn
Britten's Canticle V concludes ‘Quintessential Song’ with a recital for voice and harp in Catford. Acclaimed Northern Irish soprano Aoife Miskelly joins forces with former Royal Harpist Anne Denholm for a stunning programme including works by Britten and Barber.
Free Admission, retiring collection
SongEasel Fringe: Heather Lowe
Our final fringe event sees Heather Lowe returning to give her mix of musical styles at RocketVan cafe. Come and join us in the relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the delicious food and drink on offer.
Young Artists' Platform: Community Performance Platform 3
The third of a series of performances in which our young artists get the opportunity to perform to elderly residents of Lewisham. This performance will be curated by pianist and vocal coach, Libby Burgess.
This concert features Helen Lacey and Stella Lorenz
Quintessential Song Series: Summer Celebration
SongEasel comes to Hatcham for this exciting programme of collaborative Lieder for not one, but up to five accompanists in celebration of their fifth birthday.
Schubert's Trout Quintet features alongside Lieder by Schubert and Finzi, perofrmed by former New Generation Artist James Newby (baritone), renowed South African bassist Leon Bosch, the acclaimed Piatti Quartet and pianist and SongEasel Artistic Director Jocelyn Freeman.
A pre-concert talk at 5pm will feature Leon Bosch discussing his background and vision for equality which has inspired his own personal and musical journey.
Ticket price £5-25
Young Artists' Platform: Masterclass
Five song duos (singer and pianist) from the SongEasel Young Artist programme will be performing to an audience with pianist and Lecturer of Lied at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Keval Shah providing invaluable guidance for the participants. This is a fascinating opportunity to hear some young talent and to find out what goes into a final performance.
This event has limited seating for audience members - please email songeasel@gmail.com by 3rd June to secure your place to observe this special event.
SongEasel Fringe: Lorena Paz Nieto
The fourth fringe event features the return of a favourite SongEasel performer Lorena Paz Nieto. This concert will take place straight after the main event and is at the Ninth Life Pub in Catford. Come and join our eclectic blend of musical styles whilst eating a delicious Sunday roast at the pub.
Quintessential Song Series: Abraham and Isaac
Britten's Canticles II & IV are presented by Ben Johnson and Keval Shah in Catford, paying homage to our humble beginnings in this venue. They will be joined by a wealth of emerging talent, including baritone Theodore Platt and counter-tenor Tim Morgan.
Free Admission, retiring collection
SongEasel Young Artist Performance Platform: Full Fathom Five
SongEasel Young Artist Programme recipients Helen Lacey and Stella Marie Lorenz; Lucy Gibbs and Daniel Adipradhana present a watery early evening recital exploring Shakespeare’s theme of Full Fathom Five through song. These talented young musicians will have received coaching and mentoring leading up to this opportunity and perform a varied programme in a diverse range of languages and musical styles.
Ticket price £10
Young Artists’ Platform: Community Performance Platform 2
The second of a series of performances in which our young artists get the opportunity to perform to elderly residents of Lewisham. This performance will be curated by pianist and vocal coach, Libby Burgess.
This concert features Dominic Felts and Pietro Iacopini
Quintessential Song Series: A World Tour of Song
Rising star, Spanish soprano Lorena Paz Nieto joins pianist Sholto Kynoch for an eclectic programme, taking listeners on a World Tour of Song. Their programme traverses South American tangos and the sophistication French melodie, promising scintillating musical brilliance and a true feast for the senses.
Presented in collaboration with the Friends of Blackheath Halls
Ticket price £10
SongEasel Fringe: Heather Lowe
The third of this year’s fringe events, this evening features mezzo-soprano Heather Lowe with the usual mix of classical, music hall and comic repertoire to delight every audience member. Taking place at the laid-back Hill Station cafe.
Schools’ concert: World Music and Cultures
A showcase performance bringing together six Lewisham primary schools from SongEasel's workshops this year, exploring songs from around the world and self-expression through song. The event will be recorded and filmed, and shared on our YouTube channel in the autumn.
Quintessential Song Series: My Beloved is Mine
Britten's Canticles I & III will be performed by Stuart Jackson in Catford, paying homage to our humble beginnings in this venue, and featuring both works with both sacred and secular influences. Joining this leading young tenor will be hornist George Strivens, and pianist Jocelyn Freeman, and the recital will be introduced by Dr Lucy Walker.
Free Admission, retiring collection
SongEasel Fringe: Anna Sideris
Aoife Miskelly has sadly had to cancel this performance due to illness, but we are delighted to have Anna Sideris returning with her evening of entertainment taking place at Rocketvan cafe, featuring a blend of classical music, songs from musicals, and light-hearted repertoire to delight all listeners.
SongEasel Fringe: Aoife Miskelly
Kicking off the SongEasel Fringe series with a laid back evening of classical, music hall, and light-hearted music sung by Aoife Miskelly, accompanied by curator Jocelyn Freeman.
Young Artists’ Platform: Community Performance Platform 1
The first of a series of performances in which our young artists get the opportunity to perform to elderly residents of Lewisham. This performance will be curated by pianist and vocal coach, Libby Burgess.
This platform features Emily Beech and Roxanna Shini-Mehrabzadeh.
Quintessential Song Series: Letters and Legends
Leading German bass-baritone Stephan Loges launches SongEasel’s ‘Quintessential Song’ series in collaboration with acclaimed pianist and curator Jocelyn Freeman. Their programme presents some supreme items from the song genre by Johannes Brahms alongside works by five composers who inspired or were inspired by this Lieder giant: Robert and Clara Schumann, Marie von Kehler and Ethel Smyth.
Ticket prices £15
Florian Boesch
Florian Boesch, one of the world’s most sought-after Lieder singers performs a special recital in South East London for SongEasel
The Poet’s Echo
Concert to include the world premiere of a new Britten arrangement, plus an exciting mix of chamber music and song.