A Sheen of Dew on Flowers
London
11 Apr 2019
Mendelssohn
Symphony No. 3 (Scottish)
Joby Talbot
A Sheen of Dew on Flowers
Artists
Natalie Murray Beale
conductor
Tobias Greenhalgh
baritone
Kelley O'Connor
mezzo-soprano
Eamonn Dougan
Britten Sinfonia Voices Director
Germán Clavijo
assistant conductor
Summary
Celebrating the bi-centenary of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s birth, Britten Sinfonia and Independent Opera present the first public performance of Joby Talbot’s new cantata, A Sheen of Dew on Flowers. For this major new commission from Independent Opera, Talbot sets rare and sensual poetry from across several different millennia. A radiant and lyric score, inspired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s devoted partnership, brings to life the story of one of the greatest marriages in history whilst reflecting on the tender themes of love and loss.
The concert also features Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3. The ‘Scottish’ Symphony was dedicated to Queen Victoria and paints a vivid picture of the composer’s grand tour to Scotland in 1829.
Natalie Murray Beale performs a piano reduction extract from Joby Talbot’s full orchestral score.
Like what you hear? Listen to more of Joby Talbot’s music for free with our picks on Spotify.
Pre-concert talk with Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall – 6.15pm, Barbican Hall
Classic FM presenter Anne-Marie Minhall interviews Joby Talbot, Natalie Murray Beale and curator at Historic Royal Palaces Matthew Storey about the music.
Co-produced by Britten Sinfonia and Independent Opera
Related News / Blog
Reviews
Classical Source
"Talbot's word-setting is intuitive and speech-based, something that both singers conveyed with admirable clarity, and the many strongly characterised choral contributions from the twenty-five strong Britten Sinfonia Voices showed off his considerable skill at creating balance and vocal perspectives."
Read MoreFinancial Times
"Talbot's music played directly into the hands of Britten Sinfonia Voices and the brilliant soloists, mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor and baritone Tobias Greenhalgh, whose impassioned, vocally lustrous performances ensured that this world premiere made its mark."
Read More