Critically acclaimed British soprano Claire Rutter who has sung around the world from Australia to the English National Opera, Finland to Beijing, is making her way to Swindon in December to feature in the latest Swindon Recital Series.
’gloriously lustrous voice’ (Opera Today)
When someone mentions Beethoven they are usually talking about his symphonies, his concerti, his chamber music, but throughout his life he also wrote vocal music including an opera, two Mass settings and a number of ‘art songs’ (lieder). Composing for 45 years he left behind over 700 compositions when he died in 1827 aged 56.
Henri Duparc, on the other hand, a French composer, suddenly stopped composing in 1885 in his mid-thirties because of mental illness, destroyed most of his compositions before he died aged 85 and is now best known for his 13? 17? ‘art songs’ (mélodies), settings of texts by poets such as Baudelaire and Goethe.
And then there’s Claude Debussy. He took a very relaxed approach to studying at the Paris Conservatoire – he was said to be ‘intermittently diligent’ in his studies -and he took a very relaxed approach to composition, failing to follow the orthodox rules and incurring the disapproval of his tutors. Turning away from the Germanic influence he wrote songs and music of colour and sensation, fleeting mood and relaxed form that was distinctively French and in doing so became one of the most influential composers of his era.
Claire Rutter and Paul Turner appear at the Arts Centre on December 5th at 3pm. Tickets are £16 for adults and £13 for Seniors and unwaged people. There is also a theatre administration fee of £1.50. Student tickets are £3; accompanied children aged 14 and under are admitted without charge. Ticket office https://swindontheatres.co.uk / 0343 310 0040.
