An exciting initiative is being started this summer by the Lea Singers Chamber Choir in Harpenden, whose conductor, Benjamin Goodson, sings in the Cathedral Choir. On the 28-29th June takes place the first ever Summer Singing Festival at the beautiful Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden. The Festival aims to bring together the huge number of singers between St Albans and Harpenden, and the weekend includes a vibrant series of workshops, masterclasses, recitals, and more.
In particular I would like to draw your attention to Sunday 29th’s recital and masterclass. Marcus Farnsworth (see picture), one of the country’s leading baritones, will sing Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin, after which he is giving a masterclass to four talented young local singers. I’m delighted to say that the St Albans Cathedral ex-choristers are very well represented, and that three of the four young participants were in either the Cathedral Choir or the Abbey Girls Choir. This is sure to be an exciting and formative opportunity for them, and it would be wonderful if we could help to ensure they have a good audience.
For more information about Marcus, visit marcusfarnsworth.com.
The details are as follows:
Sunday 29 June 2014, Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden
1pm – Lunchtime Lieder
Schubert Die schöne Müllerin
Marcus Farnsworth (baritone) and James Cheung (piano)
2.30pm – Young Singers Masterclass
Marcus Farnsworth coaches:
Helen Charlston, Nina Vinther, Caspar Singh, and Hannah Bennett
in song repertoire ranging from Handel, Schumann and Schubert, to Respighi and Geoffrey Bush.
A ticket for Marcus’s recital is £15 – a real bargain to hear one of the most sought-after singers of his generation – and this ticket also gives you free entrance to the masterclass.
Tickets are available by phoning George Darley on 07766 238416, by emailing tickets@leasingers.co.uk or online wegottickets.com.