Lutenist Din Ghani and singer Merrilyn Richardson will be joined by a second singer, Philippa Neaverson to provide a wider range of early music hits from around the 1600s at an even bigger venue after their sellout performance at Stormore Church…
Music written 400 years or more ago still have the power to touch our hearts and captivate our minds – the emotions and ideas expressed are clearly universal. Philippa and Merrilyn, accompanied by Din on replica early instruments made by him, will present a programme that examines how the eternal themes of Love and Time inspired poets and musicians across Europe around the 1600s to compose music that can continue to move us today. The delicate sound of the lute is a perfect match for the sweetness of the voice, and the huge repertoire for this combination has provided a rich seam for them to explore. They are delighted to have the opportunity to share some of their favourite gems with festival-goers this year!
Din started playing the lute in 1975, and in 2003 began making his own instruments in his garage in Dilton Marsh. In recent years he has specialised in accompanying singers, both locally and in London; since 2003 he and Merrilyn, who also lives in Dilton Marsh, have been performing lute songs in concerts given by the Phoenix Consort; the pair gave their first full recital together in last year’s Festival. Merrilyn can’t remember a time when she wasn’t singing, and is a long-standing soloist with the Phoenix Consort. She has long been involved in Early music in the South West, and fell in love with lute songs many years ago! Philippa has been singing with choirs, large and small, since the age of 8. She is currently a member of Bath Cantata Group and the Smithy Singers, with whom she performs as a soloist; she and Din began their musical collaboration with a couple of lute song recitals in Bath this summer.
The three have come together for this Festival event, to perform a range of pieces from England, France, Spain and Italy, including solo songs and duets, and instrumental solos, by composers including Dowland, Campion, Jones, Purcell, Monteverdi, to name but a few! As well as the lute, Din will also be playing the archlute, which could be described as a lute which has its own double bass, and the vihuela, which is in effect a lute in the shape of a guitar, favoured by the Spanish during the 16th Century.
Sunday 18th September 2011
16.30-17.30
Tea, coffee and cakes will be available from 17.30, when the performers will be pleased to chat about the music and the instruments.
Westbury Leigh Church
Tickets £7 available from “Town and Country Estate Agents” in Westbury High Street.
You can buy tickets by mail too. Send stamped self addressed envelope and a cheque made payable to Westbury Music and Arts Festival. Please put on the reverse side of cheque the number of tickets and event required.
WMAF,
10 Meadow lane,
Westbury,
BA13-3AE
Finally you can buy tickets at the door before event.
Please call 01373 825039 for further information
