I was delighted to lead the finale of the international tattoo in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, which formed the closing event of the MHM youth music festival. After an intense day of competitions, the young marching bands were treated to a show by adult professional and semi-professional orchestras.
The Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment gave a cracking sunset concert at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. It was really wonderful to join them in this spectacular setting to give an uplifting concert and to bring the veterans some cheer.
If you have made the remembrance pilgrimage to Normandy, do join us!
Friday, 7th June, 20:00, Ver sur Mer, France
On 8th June I will give a concert in the beautiful Church of Our Lady in Grangues, France, together with oboist Franck le Bail. Our programme includes folksongs from the British Isles, Hildegard of Bingen, Gregorian Chant, and of course songs connected to remembrance and peace.
Saturday 8th June, L’Eglise de Notre Dame, Grangues, France
For tickets, please visit this link.
Singing for veterans is something close to my heart. I will be travelling to Normandy next week for various ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. These include British, French, and Canadian ceremonies in Caen, Colleville-Montgomery, Ranville, Bayeux, Beny sur Mer, Ver sur Mer and Grangues.
Please check my social media for stories, videos, and photographs as the week progresses.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Voorschoten Chamber Choir, composer Nico Philip Hovius was commissioned to write a secular oratorio based on the legend of the flying Dutchman.
I am, perhaps wickedly, delighted to be singing the role of the she-devil Luci Fer, who seduces Captain Barend Fokke into a pact which ultimately brings him disaster. It’s a beautiful composition, both fresh and accessible.
The role of Fokke will be sung by acclaimed bass Yonathan van den Brink. The Voorschotens Kamerkoor will be conducted by Nico Philipp Hovius and accompanied by the string quintet Ventus Filum and pianist Rob Nederlof.
Saturday 1st June, 20:00, Dorpskerk, Voorschoten, the Netherlands.
For tickets, please click on this link.