Song at Wolfson: Angharad Rowlands & Katy Thomson

This special concert has been developed in partnership with the University of Birmingham, inspired by the Barber Institute of Fine Art's exhibition 'Scent and the Art of the Pre-Raphaelites'.

Two former Oxford Song Young Artists - both now regular performers at the Festival - and members of one of Oxford's leading choirs join forces for a rare performance of Debussy's extraordinary cantata La Dameoiselle Élue. Premiered in 1893, this was one of Debussy's first real successes, and it was so popular that he created a version with piano in 1906. It sets a translation of 'The Blessed Damozel', the famous poem (and title of a complementary painting) by Gabriel Dante Rossetti. Other settings of both Gabriel Rossetti and his sister Christina Rossetti complete the programme, with music by Ives, Vaughan Williams, Coleridge-Taylor and Korngold.