Vera Britten in her V.A.D. uniform.
Last January, Emma recorded composer Roland Bouman’s setting of Vera Brittain’s “Perhaps.” The poem is an elegy for her fiancé, Roland Leighton, who died of a sniper wound in Hébuterne, Northern France, on 23rdDecember 2015, aged just twenty.
The Dutch radio programme “Music and Poetry” interviewed Emma and Roland (in Dutch) and broadcast the recording. It is possible to listen through this link.
CWGC Thiepval Memorial, and the French cemetery.
Our vocabulary is not adapted to describe such an existence, because it is outside experience for which words are normally necessary.*
The first day of the Battle of the Somme (1917) alone saw over seventy-thousand casualties. By the end of the battle, there were over a million soldiers and officers wounded, killed, or missing in action.
The immense CWGC memorial in Thiepval commemorates the missing 72,337 British and South African servicemen – a mere fraction of the total casualties. It is the largest Commonwealth memorial to the missing in the world.
Emma will sing at the Royal British Legion’s remembrance ceremony at Thiepval on the anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1stJuly.
She will also sing at the Ulster Tower where the Irish service men are commemorated, and during a tattoo in Arras on 30thJune.
*Source: Royal British Legion CD “Forever: The Official Album of the World War One Commemorations,” 2014
The Dutch have a wonderful tradition called ‘Veteran’s Day.’ Across the country, city councils host events for local veterans of all ages and campaigns. In Leiden, this usually consists of a meal in the Hooglandse Kerk, a fourteenth-century Gothic cathedral, held on the last Friday in June. This year, Emma will sing a short concert with songs of remembrance and nostalgia at the Leiden veterans’ day, with pianist / organist Brian Fieldhouse.
On Sunday, 24th June, Emma will sing a mini-prom during The Royal British Legion (Holland Branch) Picnic in the Park in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Weather-permitting, it promises to be a lovely afternoon to enjoy Hartenstein Park and listen to the three orchestras which will be playing there. The event is free, with a collection for The Royal British Legion. Don’t forget your picnic and chairs!
Sunday, 24thJune, 14:30, Hartenstein Park, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Henri Tomasi
1901-1971
Emma will sing Henri Tomasi’s “Procession du Vendredi-Saint,” the final movement of “Fanfares Liturgiques” (1947) during the graduation concert of conductor Guido Marchena. This beautiful piece depicts the passion of Christ. The music has medieval elements: it uses cantus firmus and elements from church modes. It is full of pain and longing, with moments of profound beauty.
Saturday, 23rd June, 17:00, Sweelinck Conservatoire, Amsterdam
The Dutch pianist and conductor Marcel van Duyvenvoorde celebrates his forty year anniversary as a pianist. He has arranged a series of concerts in aid of MAMAS, a children’s charity helping women and children in South Africa. Emma will open the concert by singing “The Holy City” and “Rule Britannia.” Even if you cannot attend, please take a moment to explore the beautiful work of MAMAS and consider donating.
Saturday, 23rd June, 15:00, Bethelkerk Scheveningen, the Netherlands
The concert is free: a collection will be taken for MAMAS children’s charity.
With the West Yorkshire Police Band in Pontefract last March.
On 18thJune, Emma will be the guest soloist at the Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Police’s concert in Halifax Minster. The West Yorkshire Police Band will present a lively and varied programme of music. Emma will sing songs of remembrance to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, and some Vera Lynn numbers.
Monday, 18th June, 19:30, Halifax Minster, England.
The concert is free. Please register here for tickets.