Delighted to see English National Opera’s production of The Turn of the Screw in The i Paper’s Classical music isn’t dead yet – these 10 performances proved it, review of the year.

Jessica Duchen’s review in The i Paper can be read here.

Gweneth Ann Rand returns to the Aldeburgh Festival next year for a series of concerts featuring all of Messiaen’s works for soprano. She is joined by pianists Simon Lepper and Allyson Devenish. 

Each concert will be enhanced by projections of the dazzling artwork by Rachel Jones, the British visual artist acclaimed for her “captivating, jitteringly electric” work.

Additionally, these concerts will showcase some of the outstanding Britten Pears Young Artists, who will perform more French songs.

“Rand’s sumptuous voice, technically brilliant, verbally agile and expressive… The concert turned out to be a contender for the fast-approaching best-of-year list.”
(The Guardian)

“Rand’s voice is plush and warm… beautifully sustained, sculpted with superb vocal control.”
(Opera Today)

Gweneth Ann Rand performs Judith (sharing the role with Susan Bullock) alongside Gerald Finley and Michael Mayes as Bluebeard in a radical retelling of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, through the lense of a family living with dementia.

Under the direction of Daisy Evans and Stephen Higgins, this new immersive production for Theatre of Sound is accompanied in a new chamber orchestration with players from the London Sinfonietta.

Performances: 4 – 14 November 2021 at the Stone Nest

Gweneth Ann Rand performs Mrs Grose OperaGlass Works production of The Turn of the Screw. It was filmed on location at Wilton’s Music Hall and was streamed on Marquee TV and broadcast on BBC Four.

The film was directed by Dominic Best, Selina Cadell and Eliza Thompson, with John Wilson conducting the Sinfonia of London.

Benjamin Britten: The Turn of the Screw
Label: Chandos
Code: CHDVD 5290
Release date: 29 October 2021

We are delighted that Ailish Tynan, Gweneth Ann Rand and Neil Balfour all feature in the 20th Anniversary Oxford Lieder Festival, Nature’s Songbook.

16 October
Neil Balfour joins Kitty Whately, Nicky Spence and Anna Tilbrook for a recital celebrating the works of Stephen Sondheim.

19 October
Ailish Tynan and Libby Burgess perform a programme based on birdsong, including works by Schubert, Grieg, Handel, Judith Weir – indispersed with birdsong quotes by renowned recorder player Ian Wilson.

20 October
Gweneth Ann Rand and Simon Lepper perform a programme including Strauss’ Vier letzte Lieder and works by Schoenberg, George Crumb and Florence Price.

In the Footsteps of… is the title of a ground-breaking recital programme from Wigmore Hall Associate Artist Gweneth Ann Rand. Realised with violinist Sarah Daramy-Williams, pianist Allyson Devenish and with actor Adjoa Andoh as narrator, the programme ranges from traditional spirituals through standard recital favourites to world premières by Errollyn Wallen and Clement Ishmael.

The concert on 14 October 2021 will trace the footsteps of pioneering black artists who performed at Wigmore Hall during the twentieth century, including Marian Anderson, Grace Bumbry and Jessye Norman.

John Gilhooly has today announced Gweneth Ann Rand as an Associate Artist at Wigmore Hall. As an Associate Artist Gweneth Ann will feature regularly in Wigmore Hall  programming, with at least one concert each season over a five year term.

Her recent Wigmore Hall appearances include Messiaen’s Harawi and a programme of Barber, Messiaen and Wagner, both with collaborator pianist Simon Lepper, with whom she will perform An Imperfect Tapestry, on 3 June 2021 as part of Wigmore Hall’s 120th Anniversary celebrations.

“Rand’s sumptuous voice, technically brilliant, verbally agile and expressive…”
(Fiona Maddocks)

“This was an authoritative, polished performance, piano and voice capturing the music’s quicksilver changes
of mood and colour together.”
(Erica Jeal)

Gweneth Ann Rand and Ailish Tynan will perform as part of Wigmore Halls recently ammounced concert series in the run up to Easter.

2 March
Gweneth Ann Rand and Simon Lepper will perform a programme of Barber, Messiaen and Wagner.

12 March
Ailish Tynan will perform Der Hirt auf dem Felsen with Steven Osborne and Jean Johnson as part of Steven Osborne’s 50th Birthday Concert.

17 March
Ailish Tynan, Robin Tritschler and James Baillieu will perform in a special concert for St Patrick’s Day, including some of the most beloved traditional folksongs which reflect the cultural ties between the two nations. Adrian O’Neill, the Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, will introduce the concert with a message of friendship from the Irish government.

All concerts are available to watch online on the Wigmore Hall website and YouTube channel on the day of performance and for 30 days.