18. Crespo Series

18. Crespo Series
Works by Vaughan Williams, Stuart MacRae, Sally Beamish, Michael Berkeley, Hindemith, Brett Dean, Nicola LeFanu and others

This Festival is privileged to be a port of call for Australian composer and violist, Brett Dean, and his mezzo-soprano daughter. Lotte Betts-Dean rescued us last year by jumping in on 2 days’ notice with a stunning performance of The Magdalene Songs. Father and daughter have a programme of works for viola and voice including specially composed works, possibly including a world premiere. One of the most striking pieces is The Lif of this World by the Scottish composer, Stuart MacRea; sung in Middle English from the 14th century, the song gives an unflinching account of the short journey from birth to death, the gloomier the text, the more beautiful the music.