ANNOUNCEMENT
Spitalfields Music is devastated to have to cancel the opening concert of its annual festival because of the red weather warning of extreme heat in London.
Temperatures in the venue, Shoreditch Town Hall, today reached 41 degrees, which all parties agreed was not conducive to an enjoyable evening.
Sarah Gee, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of Spitalfields Music, said: “Although we so desperately wanted to share the new music and poetry that were to be premiered, we take the safety and well-being of performers, audiences and staff very seriously, so had to make the decision to cancel the performance. There is a certain symmetry to the year of our foundation, in 1976, which is also well remembered for its extraordinary temperatures.”
The concert, on Friday 26th June, should have marked the beginning of the charity’s 50th birthday celebrations. All ticket purchasers and guests are being contacted.
The Festival’s next performances – three feminist baroque operatic rarities, starring Carolyn Sampson and Mariana Rodrigues with the Dunedin Consort – will take place as scheduled on Saturday 27th June at Metronome London, part of Nottingham Trent University’s London campus in Aldgate…..which is fully air-conditioned.
Five artists come together bringing their own perspectives to contemplate: What does peace look like?
In a world ever more shaped by uncertainty and unrest, the need for space to reflect on peace feels urgent. For the opening concert of the 50th anniversary of Spitalfields Music Festival, we’re reflecting on the moment in which we find ourselves, and explore how music and poetry can help us make sense of the world around us.
The City of London Sinfonia, founded by the original architect of Spitalfields Music Festival Richard Hickox, join us to share a programme of music and spoken word. Four newly commissioned poems from Matt Abbott, Malika Booker, Simon Mundy, and Reshma Ruia weave through a programme that guides the audience through a journey of reflection. Featuring a specially commissioned piece by composer Philip Herbert, sprung from a fitting quote from UN Secretary António Guterres: “Peace is the missing piece”.
George Walker Lyric for Strings
Piet Swerts Elegia
Arvo Pärt Silhouan’s Song
Philip Herbert Lingua Pacis (World premiere)
Reena Esmail Testament
Jean Sibelius Andante Festivo
City of London Sinfonia
Jonathan Berman Conductor
Poets:
Matt Abbott
Malika Booker
Simon Mundy
Reshma Ruia
Duration: 1hr 5 min
This concert is generously supported by the Cockayne Foundation.
