Never work with…

…children or animals.

It was a beautiful christening at the Temple Church. Jimmy the corgi was pretty restrained on the whole. He only barked at the vicar once, growled but momentarily at the sleeping Knights, and while he did bite at his backside vigorously as I sang a bit of Mozart, he didn’t invade the performance space like little M. Nor did he try and join in, or do a little comedy routine, or dance a jig. Valiant efforts from others to encourage the mini-performer to vacate the stage were met with tenacity and evasion. She saw the spotlight and liked it. Like mother, like daughter. Oh well.

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Philomel at the Swiss Church: listen

From Philomel’s recent concert at the Swiss Church, Covent Garden

Piangete occhi, Domenico Mazzocchi

Emily Peace, soprano                                                       Suzy Robinson, soprano

James Bramley, theorbo                                                  Michael Keen, harpsichord

Ahi possanza d’amor, Maddalena Casulana

Suzy Robinson, soprano, Michael Keen, recorder, James Bramley, theorbo

Folle cor, Domenico Mazzocchi

Suzy Robinson, Janet Oates, Emily Peace, sopranos

Michael Keen, harpsichord

James Bramley, theorbo

Io d’odorate, Maddalena Casulana

Sopranos Janet Oates, Emily Peace, Suzy Robinson, Felicity Hayward, Charlotte Bröker and Olivia Moss

Michael Keen, harpsichord, James Bramley, theorbo

Philomel.co.uk

Philomel: Cecilia Sings

24 November 2018, the Swiss Church, Covent Garden

Join us for an evening of stunning singing, accompanied by theorbo, harpsichord and recorder. The forthcoming concert for Saint Cecilia’s day, Cecilia Sings, will continue the theme of bird mythology that was initiated in the first three concerts, melded with ideas about Saint Cecilia. Text and artwork by students from Marylebone Girls’ School will illustrate newly commissioned works on the theme of female power, passion and spirit by Janet Oates (with new text by Euan Tait), Sheena Phillips, Dominic McGonigal and Joel Jårventausta. Further repertoire includes expressive songs by Francesca Caccini and Barbara Strozzi, virtuosic duets by Mazzocchi, and beautiful madrigals by Maddalena Casulana.

https://www.facebook.com/1557726077592995/posts/2046247278740870/

http://www.philomel.co.uk

Book tickets

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/philomel

Location

The Swiss Church in London

79 Endell St, London WC2H 9DY

020 7836 1418

https://goo.gl/maps/GwtvsUaD8QC2

Philomel in Richmond and Rotherhithe

In rehearsal, RotherhitheThe virtuosic vocal fireworks of the six sopranos of Philomel were displayed once again in a programme celebrating music from Hildegard of Bingen and Barbara Strozzi, all the way through to the present day and four specially-commissioned works on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 March 2018.

The sopranos

Charlotte Bröker

Felicity Hayward

Olivia Moss

Janet Oates

Emily Peace

Suzy Robinson

With Michael Keen (harpsichord) and James Bramley (theorbo)

http://www.philomel.co.uk

“More a work of art than a concert”

Musica Antica
Musica Antica Rotherhithe

Philomel: launch concert

Ego Flos Campi, Caterina Assandra (Suzy Robinson, Emily Peace, Emily Owen, Janet Oates)

Colombella, che di latte, Domenico Mazzocchi (Suzy Robinson, Charlotte Moss, James Bramley theorbo, Michael Keen harpsichord)

 

The inaugural concert of Philomel, a new group of six sopranos, in an eclectic programme which included four new pieces (by Janet Oates, Dominic McGonigal, Emily Peasgood and Miriam Mackie) as well as 17th century duets, trios and solos accompanied by theorbo and harpsichord was rapturously received by a delighted audience in the Brunel Shaft on 2 November.

The nightingales hope to repeat the programme in 2018.

Visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Philomel-1557726077592995/

Listen

Après un rêve (Op. 7, No. 1), Gabriel Fauré

Sure on this shining night, Samuel Barber

britten

O Waly Waly, Benjamin Britten

ave-maria-square-Custom-Custom

Ave Maria (extract), Bach-Gounod 

GeradePieta-300x225

Domine Deus, Antonio Vivaldi (live recording from Santa Maria in Aquiro, Rome)

Pie Jesu, from Requiem by Gabriel Fauré

What people say

Russell Eagling and Ed Fordham, Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, London

“Suzy was a delight to work with. At the planning stage she provided suggestions based on our own musical taste – and was also eager to take on board our own ideas. She worked unfussily with other musicians and gave us the much appreciated confidence that this element of the day would go off seamlessly. Blissfully free of the worry and drama of some of the other elements of the big day. And the performance itself was sublime. Suzy’s singing added a moment of peaceful joy to our service which we will remember and value forever. A real adornment to our wedding.”

Dr Annie Sutherland, St Mary’s Church, Upton Grey

“From the very beginning of our wedding plans, Suzy was closely involved in the planning and preparation of the music for our ceremony. It was immensely reassuring to have someone of Suzy’s experience and expertise advising us in the choices that we were making. Her singing of Monteverdi’s Confitebor tibi on the day was exquisite and remarked upon by all of our guests.”

Harriet and Ed James, Manningford Abbots, Pewsey

“When Suzy Robinson sang at my wedding every single one of my guests commented on what a beautiful voice she had. She was an absolute pleasure to be with and a complete professional. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Stephanie and Mark Gaterell, St Andrew’s Church, High Ham

“We asked Suzy to sing at our wedding because I was aware she did such things. We weren’t prepared for the magic that she brought to our ceremony. The medieval church seemed to come alive when she included a piece from its own era and our usually restive friends and family were quite transfixed as she gave them a perfect rendition of a beautiful local Somerset folk song. She guided us well in our choice of music and was faultless on the day which was no mean feat given the weather outside and the journey she had to find our little church out in the sticks. We were so pleased we chose her and would highly recommend her without hesitation.”

Anonymous, family funeral in London

“I had heard Suzy sing at a wedding and when my mother died I got her details from the church as I really wanted her to sing at the funeral. She was brilliant. It was such a difficult time but Suzy helped so much planning the service, booking a wonderful choir, conducting them and also singing solo. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of church music and liturgy and helped choose appropriate readings and prayers, sourcing the correct forms of all these for us – something I’d never have been able to do without guidance. And on the day of the funeral she was so kind and professional. It was such a sad occasion but Suzy really helped lift the burden of all the things you have to do to plan a funeral. Thank you Suzy!”