Robert Lorimer’s arts and crafts music room at Marchmont House is the perfect venue for an intimate evening of song in English, presented by Samling Institute for Young Artists. The programme draws on the house’s rich musical associations from the past and present to include music by composers who have visited the house, most recently Jonathan Dove, who worked with early-career singers and pianists at the Samling Artist Programme held at Marchmont in July 2021. His duet cycle Man, Woman, Child, commissioned to mark Samling Institute’s 25th anniversary in 2021, will be a highlight of this early evening concert.
Ralph Vaughan Williams was a regular visitor to Marchmont. Nicky Spence will sing On Wenlock Edge having just released his recording of the cycle in April 2022 to resounding critical acclaim. Described as one of the ‘finest ever’ recordings for ‘its thrilling assurance, strength of imagination and rapt instinct’ (Gramophone Magazine) this is a unique opportunity to hear Nicky’s ‘gift for combining pure tone with direct, daring expression (The Guardian).
Soprano Haegee Lee and pianist Malcolm Martineau are making welcome returns to Marchmont. Malcolm Martineau led the Samling Artist Programme at the house in November 2021, and Haegee Lee was one of the artists on the same course. Along with Amy Beach’s settings of Robert Browning, Haegee will sing ‘A Soft Day’ by Charles Villiers Stanford, who was a close friend of Marchmont’s former owner Robert Finnie McEwan and was involved in the design of the house’s stunning organ.
A free bus service for ticket holders will run from Berwick-upon-Tweed station. The bus will depart at 17.15 to connect with trains arriving from Edinburgh (17.11) and Newcastle (17.08) and will return after the concert in time for the 21.37 to Edinburgh and the 21.53 to Newcastle. To book a place on the bus, please telephone the Marchmont office 01361 866080 or email info@marchmonthouse.com
A limited number of accommodation packages at Marchmont are available – details can be found on the booking page.