* JAMIE McDERMOTT – CABARET SONGS
Music by BENJAMIN BRITTEN, CONOR MITCHELL
Jamie McDermott zang, Stephen Higgins piano
Singer Jamie McDermott of The Irrepressibles adds colour and passion to a radical new interpretation of Benjamin Britten’s popular Cabaret Songs. Britten wrote the songs in 1937, inspired by the Berlin nightlife of the interbellum. On the occasion of Britten’s centenary, composer Conor Mitchell added eight new compositions to the four original songs. Four of these are set to poems which W.H. Auden had written for Britten, but which were never used; and four are set to new lyrics by Mark Ravenhill. The songs deal with excitement, ecstasy, doubt and despair. They make up a subtle commentary on Britten’s relationship with Auden, their impending break-up and his budding love for his future life partner Peter Pears. A music performance of obscured love letters.
“Jamie McDermott roaring croon recalls Ferry, Bowie and Mael….” (The Independent)
This programme is part of the Holland Festival. For more information, click here.