On 28^th June, mezzo-soprano Emma Brown and pianist Isolde Troost gave a short recital at a private reception in the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden, the Netherlands. The programme consisted of songs by Grieg, including Solveig’s Song, extracts from Haugtussa (opus 67) and opus 48, and Lyric Pieces for solo piano (op.71).

Emma and Isolde formed a duo in 2007 during their first year at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. They have worked with, among others, Han-Louis Meijer and Einar Steen-Nøkleberg.

On 25^th June Emma Brown will appear as a guest soloist at an extraordinary event in Kampen, the Netherlands. Over 150 hobby singers will join together with a professional orchestra and conductors Aart Mateboer, Angeliki Ploka and Danny Nooteboom to sing Missa Criolla (Ramirez), Vivaldi’s Gloria, sections of Franck’s Seven Last Words of the Cross, and Mozart’s Requiem. Emma will sing the alto solos.

The concert will take place in the Burgwalkerk in Kampen, starting at 19:30. The address is Burgwal 52, 8261 EP Kampen.

If you wish to join in the singing you can apply here.

Tickets are available via this website and on the door.

For more information, please visit www.scratchkampen.nl.

On Sunday, 12th June, Emma Brown will appear as a guest soloist during Evensong at the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden. She will sing as the soloist in Mendelssohn’s “Hear my Prayer… O for the Wings of a Dove” together with the Leidse Cantorij under director of music, Hans Brons, and with organist Anton Doornhein. The other repertoire in the service includes

Introit: Ubi caritas et amor, Duruflé

Preces and Responses: Alyeward

Canticles: Blair in B minor

Before the service, Anton Doornhein will play Langlais on the Father Willis organ. The voluntary will be Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen’s Tocatta. This is the last chance to hear the organ in its current state since the second building phase is due to begin on 13th June with the arrival of the double open wood.

The service begins at 17:00. All are welcome.

On 4th,  5th, and 6th June Emma Brown will sing at D-Day memorial services across Normandy with the Band of Liberation under conductor Simon Dubbelaar. These include services at Colleville Montgomery and Ranville for the Friends of the Normandy Veteran and the Royal British Legion Service in Bayeux Cathedral. She will also give a concert at Bénouville Castle for the mayor and local dignitaries. During the night of 5th June, the band will march over Pegasus Bridge as part of the annual ceremony to honour the soldiers of the Second World War.

On 21^st May, Emma Brown will appear as the guest soloist at the Klundert Tattoo. Seven bands will be present. Emma will perform a show with the Band of Liberation and in the finale with the massed bands from the tattoo. Repertoire included “Outlander,” “Going Home,” “I vow to thee, my country,” and the “Wilhelmus” (the Dutch national anthem). Emma will perform the same show with the Band of Liberation at the Belfast Tattoo this September.

Emma Brown appears at this concert through Marching Band Management. For bookings with Marching Bands, please contact info@marchingbandmanagement.nl.

In early May, Emma sang at a private party in Oud Zuilen. To her surpirse and delight, instead of a stage, she was provided with the back seat of a beautiful 1929 Bentley. She sang “My love is like a red, red rose” and “Land of Hope and Glory” for the guests.

Remembrance Day in the Netherlands occurs on 4^th May, with two minutes silence held at 20:00. On 5^th May, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated from Nazi occupation and as such 5^th May is “Liberation Day.” Ceremonies are held on both days throughout the country. This year, Emma sang at the open air ceremony in Leiden at the monument at the Haagsche Schouw. This was built to honour and remember the fifty-one soldiers who died fighting at the bridge to try to prevent the German soldiers from entering the city.

It was a moving ceremony. In attendance were the Mayors of Leiden, Henri Lenferink, and of Oxford, Rae Humberstone, and representatives of the Dutch armed forces and the Royal British Legion. The Band of Liberation accompanied Emma under conductor Simon Dubbelaar.