Such a pleasure to have had another chance to perform alongside the wonderful historical keyboardist Marcia Hadjimarkos. Together, we performed a recital of works by Beethoven, Schumann, Hadyn, and Hélène de Montgeroult at Hôtel-Dieu de Cluny.
I consider myself to be an enthusiastic song recitalist, so I was delighted both to perform in this converted hospital in Cluny, a beautiful town in the Burgundy region, and with Marcia on the pianoforte (my first full recital with this very special instrument). In addition to the perhaps more familiar repertoire by Beethoven, Haydn, Schumann, Mozart, our programme included works by Hélène de Montegeroult, the first ever female tutor at the Paris Conservatoire. She is more famous for her piano works and the cycle of Nocturnes is the only vocal work she ever wrote. To me, it was a great opportunity to learn a new “rare” work. The songs reminded me very much of Vaccai vocal excercises I had practiced in my Undergraduate degree but made for a compelling atmosphere alongside the other works performed, including Beethoven’s sublime Six Sacred Songs (Op.48).
It was a joy to perform alongside Marcia, and we are now planning a Recital Tour together in France in March/April 2019 with exact dates and venues to be announced soon.