In a celebratory recital to launch the brand new Cambridge Song Festival, award-winning singers Jess Dandy (alto), James Way (tenor), and Jennifer Witton (soprano) join pianist and artistic director Ceri Owen in a rich and fascinating programme featuring songs by Cambridge composers past and present.
Framing the recital are a collection of lesser-known songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams, who studied in Cambridge during the 1890s. Between his early, intimate The House of Life sonnets and the lyrical, tender Four Last Songs, we explore the lively Greek songs of his teacher Maurice Ravel (Cinq mélodies populaires grecques), as well as songs from Benjamin Britten's On this Island, and recent work by leading contemporary composers including Richard Causton, Graham Ross, and Cheryl Frances-Hoad.
Jess Dandy, 'a rising star contralto' (Opera Magazine), praised for her 'sumptuous tone' and 'beautiful legato' (The Times).
'It was the tenor James Way who took the breath away, however, with his immaculate tonal control and the astonishing maturity of his musicianship' (London Evening Standard).
Jennifer Witton recently sang the title role in Glyndebourne Festival Opera's touring production of Massenet's Cendrillon (Cinderella).