Emerging Artist double bill:

FREYA WALEY-COHEN
Spell Book

FRANCESCA CACCINI
La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina
(The liberation of Ruggiero from the island of Alcina)

28, 30, 31 July, 2 August

Longborough’s Emerging Artist programme gives a vital opportunity to singers at the beginning of their careers. In 2022 you will be treated to a double bill of love, freedom and magic.

Members of the Emerging Artists ensemble offer the first complete staging of Freya Waley-Cohen’s Spell Book, a dramatic song cycle inspired by the composer’s encounter with Rebecca Tamás’ collection of poems, WITCH.

“The women of Freya’s songs create spells that celebrate hard won freedoms, as well as spells that lay out the divisions and injustices yet to be overcome. A perfect project for a new generation of performers.” – Polly Graham, Artistic Director

Following this will be a performance of Francesca Caccini’s La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina, the earliest surviving opera written by a female composer. With a story from Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso, La liberazione di Ruggiero will be performed in a new arrangement by conductor Yshani Perinpanayagam, featuring CHROMA Ensemble and directed by Jenny Ogilvie.

CHROMA:
flute - Sarah O'Flynn
clarinet - Stuart King
violins - Caroline Balding, Anna Biggin
viola - Vanessa McNaught
cello - Chris Allan
double bass - Chris Kelly
producer for CHROMA - Claire Shovelton

for booking details go to the LFO website

photo of Freya Waley-Cohen by Patrick Allen
portrait (presumed to be Francesca Caccini) by Palma Vecchio