An exciting concert placing women composers centre stage will feature musical works spanning almost 500 years of sensational sounds.
Hammersmith-based chamber choir, the Petros Singers, will perform its celebration of music by female composers on Saturday 6 July.
The 40-strong choir will lead the unique evening of music from 7pm at St Michael and All Angels Church, in Bath Road, Chiswick.
Designed to celebrate the music of women composers, the concert – titled Her Songbook Making – features music ranging from 16th century Italian nun Vittoria Aleotti to celebrated contemporary composers Judith Weir and Cheryl Frances-Hoad.
Conducted by the choir’s musical director Richard Bannan, the singers will share highlights from the works of the talented 19th century German composers Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn.
As part of the international showcase of female composers, the chamber choir will also delve into the music of Amy Beach, whose Gaelic Symphony was the first symphony by an American woman to be published.
Laura Mackay, chair of Petros Singers, explains: “Her Songbook Making is a collection of exquisite compositions written by women across the centuries. It is a varied selection, united in brilliance, all the more remarkable because of the personal obstacles and societal prejudices these women overcame in order to create and express themselves.
“Petros Singers believe it is time to bring them out from the wings and on to centre stage where they belong.”
The concert continues its theme with music from English-born composer Rebecca Clarke, who became one of the first women musicians in a fully professional ensemble in 1912.
Also featuring on the bill is music from British composer Judith Weir, the first woman to be appointed Master of the King’s Music, and award-winning composer and local resident Kerensa Briggs.
To complete the evening’s programme the concert will sparkle with the sounds of solo pianist Libby Burgess, performing music by French composer Lili Boulanger, who tragically died in 1918 at the age of 24, as well as work from Cheryl Frances-Hoad.
If you fancy joining the auditioned chamber choir, the Petros Singers rehearse each Tuesday evening from 8-9.45pm at St Peter’s Church, with a young singers’ bursary scheme on offer for those aged 16-30.
Tickets for the concert cost £20 (£17 concessions/£5 under 30s). They’re available online at The Petros Singers’ Her Songbook Making website and on the door.
