Stories as Brittle as Glass

Two song cycles form the centrepiece of this programme. Movements from Benjamin Britten’s “Who are these children?” are interwoven with songs from Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s “Magic Lantern Tales”, juxtaposing children’s nursery rhymes, riddles and nightmares with adult recollections of life in both World Wars.

Other popular war settings by Butterworth, Ivor Novello, Debussy, Poulenc and Wolf complete this thought-provoking and varied programme.

Benjamin Mead is a former Viola Tunnard Scholar at Britten Pears Arts.

Liam Bonthrone tenor
Benjamin Mead piano