Susan Gritton (soprano), Eleanor Medcalf (harp)

Programme

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Two English Canzonets
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Abendempfindung, K.523
Gabriel Pierné (1863-1937): Impromptu-caprice Op.9
André Caplet (1878-1925): Deux Sonnets
Louis Vierne (1870 – 1937): Quatre Poèmes Grecs, Op.60
Nicola LeFanu (b. 1947): The Bourne (2008)
Elizabeth Maconchy (1907-1994) : Butterflies (1986)
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): Three songs from A Birthday Hansel, op. 92

Artist Bio

Susan Gritton, soprano
Winner of 1994 Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Award, Grammy-nominated soprano Susan Gritton has performed in concert, recital and opera on many of the world’s major stages. Career highlights include song recitals with Eugene Asti at Wigmore Hall; Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem (Berlin Philharmonic/Rattle); Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis (Carnegie Hall/Norrington); Mozart Requiem (Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Mackerras); Handel Theodora (Gabrieli Consort/McCreesh); Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony (London Symphony Orchestra)/Hickox); Female Chorus in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia Snape Maltings; Ellen Orford in Britten’s Peter Grimes La Scala Milan & Opera Australia; Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni Bolshoi; Countess Madeleine in Strauss’ Capriccio & Tatyana in Tchaikowsky’s Eugene Onegin Grange Park Hampshire; Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen Royal Opera House Covent Garden; and title roles at Glyndebourne, English National Opera and Bayerisches Staatsoper Munich. Having also studied botany at St. Hilda’s College Oxford and Reading University, she now combines her passion for music and plants by working professionally in both fields. Upcoming appearances includes song recitals with pianist Eugene Asti and harpist Eleanor Medcalf in their mother-daughter duo.

Eleanor Metcalf, harp
Eleanor Medcalf is a versatile harpist performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Snape Maltings, Symphony Hall Birmingham, and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall under conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, John Wilson, Marin Alsop and Sian Edwards. With an MA in Classics from Queens’ College Cambridge under her belt, she is currently completing a Master’s degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama studying with Imogen Barford and supported by the Guildhall Award. She recently gave the world premiere of Robin Holloway’s Suite for Harp and is assisting in creating an edition for Boosey & Hawkes. She has given lecture-recitals on the harp in Jane Austen’s life and works across the country and has recently appeared at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. As a collaborative harpist, she regularly performs with choirs, historical ensembles, her chamber group the Lyra Trio and in song recitals with soprano Susan Gritton.

Presented in association with Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Experience inspiring performances by top emerging artists in our historic venue, renowned for its superb acoustics. Our recitals are programmed in collaboration with leading music colleges and charities, providing a platform for the stars of tomorrow. Discover exceptional talent in a unique settting.

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