It was most gratifying to see every year-group in the school represented in this evening’s annual celebration of songs with non-English texts. As ever, this is a collaboration between the Singing and Modern Languages Departments with the former curating the repertoire and rehearsing the singers and the latter guiding their pupils in the noble art of translating the original texts into English for inclusion in the comprehensive programme notes. The audience were encouraged to use these notes proactively during the concert to enhance their appreciation of what Dietrich Fischer-Diskau (perhaps the greatest Lieder singer of the 20th Century) described as the “magic power that dwells in music and poetry”.
We heard songs in German, French, Spanish and Italian with texts by (amongst others) Heine, Silvestre and Carpani set to music by the likes of Schubert, Clara Schumann, Tosti, Beethoven and Obradors.
The appreciative audience in the beautiful salon setting of the Adderley was treated to four brave debut performances from Scarlett P, Hattie B, Emily H and Reina B; three promising performances from Georgia P, Violet D and Jon S; five delightful performances from Ludo M, Ava K, Ben T, Clara M and Lara C-S; two assured renditions from Emilia B and Camilla G; and four inspirational interpretations by Neil S, Josh T, Jasmine P and Paddy C.
Congratulations to all those involved – the supportive audience and contributors alike – and a huge “thank you” to singing teachers Miss Jefferies and Dr Henshaw and to the accompanists Miss Toomer and Mr Cochrane who helped rehearse the singers and then enabled each pupil to give of their best during the evening. To quote Verlaine, who we also heard this evening, bravo to “Les donneurs de sérénades et les belles écouteuses”.
David Mattinson
Head of Voice
