Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood

09 December 2016 at Stamford.

Jacqui Dankworth is the daughter of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth.  Charlie Wood is her American husband and a terrific pianist. A thoroughly accomplished pair, and a highly enjoyable evening. I think "Autumn in New York" has become one of my favourites.

Sarah Connelly and Joseph Middleton at Leeds, Howard Assembly Rooms

If there were dreams to sell
Sarah Connelly, mezzo-soprano, and Joseph Middleton on piano.

Leeds,  Howard Assembly Rooms, Grand Theatre.

26 November 2016

A programme of songs. First there were four poems by Hans Christian Andersen set to music by Robert Schumann.  Next Ravel's Scheherazade, settings of Tristan Klingsor's poems inspired by the Arabian nights.

After the interval came English songs by John Ireland, from poems by Harold Monro, Thomas Hardy and Thomas Lovell Beddoes.  Then four songs by ivor Gurney, and lastly A charm of Lullabies by Benjamin Britten. Some unusual lullabies here.

All wonderfully performed by the two musicians.

Ulysses' Homecoming at Buxton

Ulysses' Homecoming, by Monteverdi, performed by English Touring Opera in the splendid Buxton opera House, Derbyshire, on Friday 18 November 2016.  A different experience from later operas, but very enjoyable.

We combined this with a meal at the Lone Star Grill.  The following day a walk over the Roaches, and a meal in the local Thai restaurant made for an excellent weekend.