Details
Prize-winning pianist Claire Habbershaw and critically-acclaimed soprano Susanna MacRae have been performing together since 2022. In this short span, they have swiftly become prominent figures in art song, dedicating themselves to championing contemporary composers. They endeavour to introduce new ways of presenting art song recitals by including dramatic readings and being equally active participants on stage. Both Claire and Susanna support young and established British composers alike, consistently featuring their works in their recitals: these include Ian Venables, Hollie Harding, Julian Philips and Alexander Ling.
“Words of Women” showcases a range of music alongside spoken text. The dynamic interplay between music and dramatic poetry readings, prose, and letters, all seamlessly woven together, offer a unique storytelling experience.
Highlights from the programme include a contemporary setting of suffragette poetry, execution letters of Maria Stuart and Anne Boleyn, settings of letters & poetry by Calamity Jane, Emily Dickinson, Emily Brontë and Lady Montagu Mary Wortley.