Women's Words and Voices with the BBC Concert Orchestra
Hear music inspired by poets Emily Dickinson and Alfonsina Storni, including the world premiere of David Knotts’ Guitar Concerto.
Led by Principal Conductor Bramwell Tovey, the programme features contemporary classical music written and inspired by women composers and poets.
Emily Dickinson has long been an influence on Knotts, and early in his career he set her poem ‘I shall keep singing!’ to music.
Now this admiration finds expression in a concerto composed for superstar guitarist Craig Ogden, which he plays for an audience for the first time this evening.
Mezzo-soprano Tara Venditti* performs Bryce Dessner's song cycle Voy a Dormir, which uses four poems by the trailblazing Argentine writer Alfonsina Storni.
Trailblazing females composers in film music feature with Debbie Wiseman's soundtrack from Wilde and Rachel Portman's Emma.
The concert is presented and features poetry readings by award-winning actress Nina Wadia.
Performers
- BBC Concert Orchestra
- Bramwell Tovey conductor
- Craig Ogden guitar
- Tara Venditti mezzo-soprano *
- Nina Wadia presenter
Repertoire
- Shirley Thompson: Wildfire
- Hannah Kendall: The Spark Catchers
- David Knotts: Guitar Concerto (The Alabaster Chambers) (World premiere)
- Interval
- Debbie Wiseman: Suite from the sound track to Wilde
- George Fenton: Suite from Shadowlands
- Rachel Portman: Closing titles from Emma
- Bryce Dessner: Voy a dormir for mezzo-soprano & orchestra (European premiere)
Need to know
For ages 8+
* Please note change of soloist from originally advertised.
The headline of the event has also been altered.
Dates & times
Price
- Standard entry£15 – £30*
- Concessions25%**
* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.
** Limited availability. Read about concessions.
Tickets can only be sold through the Southbank Centre and our authorised agents, and can't be resold. You can return your tickets to the Southbank Centre for a credit voucher up to 48 hours before the event. Tickets resold on any third-party platforms will become invalid.
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Multi-buy discount
Classical Music: Spring/Summer 2022
As part of our classical music multi-buy offer, book multiple Spring/Summer concerts in the same transaction to receive a discount:
- 3 – 4 events: 10% discount
- 5 – 7 events: 15% discount
- 8 – 10 events: 20% discount
- 11 – 14 events: 25% discount
- 15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events from February until June 2022 inclusive. Offer can't be combined with Autumn/Winter multi-buy.
Venue
Queen Elizabeth Hall
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More information
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An accessible toilet is located in the foyer.
A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1 Royal Festival Hall next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet.
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To reach this entrance, enter the Royal Festival Hall via the Southbank Centre Square Doors. Take the JCB Glass Lift to Level 2 and exit to the Riverside Terrace. Turn right to find the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.
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For access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating rows A to C and wheelchair spaces in the Front Stalls, please enter via the Artists' Entrance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road (Level 1).
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