Photo caption: The Jenny Lind Singers were founded in the 1970s at Malvern Girls’ College |
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One of the most revered singers of the 19th century will be celebrated at this year’s Elgar Festival. Jenny Lind – who was often called the ‘Swedish Nightingale’ – has a special place in the county’s history. Born in Stockholm in 1820, Jenny’s fame and fortune led her to England and to her final resting place, Great Malvern Cemetery, following her death in 1887. Her life will be the subject of a talk on Thursday 30 May at 3.00pm at Elgar’s birthplace, The Firs in Lower Broadheath, Worcester. American born soprano April Fredrick – The English Symphony Orchestra’s first Affiliate Artist – and writer Michele Lammas, will lead an interactive talk and workshop about the Swedish soprano and international phenomenon to uncover the woman behind the legend. April will perform ‘Qui la voce’, a favourite Bellini aria of Lind’s, with violinist Grace Shepherd. Entry is free although tickets must be pre-booked. Jenny Lind will also feature on Saturday 1 June during the Festival, which runs from Monday 27 May until 2 June this year. The Jenny Lind Singers – an all female choir named after their namesake – will perform a concert including works by Sarah Quartel, Elizabeth Poston, Hildegard of Bingen, Elgar and Holst and many others. The concert will also include the world premiere of ‘Nimrod Reimagined’ by award winning composer Liz Dilnot Johnson, commissioned by the Singers for Elgar’s birthday this year. They will be joined by harpist Anwen Mai Thomas and pianist Tim Sidford. The Jenny Lind Singers specialise in performing and promoting works by both female and local composers, as well as championing new music. The event will take place at Worcester’s Guildhall at 3.30pm; tickets are £10 each. Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of The Elgar Festival said: “During her lifetime no performer was more revered than the Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind. We are therefore delighted to be able to celebrate her extraordinary talent at this year’s Festival at two very exciting events.” The Jenny Lind Singers were founded in the 1970’s at Malvern Girls’ College by the Head of Music and Elaine Hugh-Jones and re-founded in 2013 by Lynne Lindner, then Director of Music at Malvern St James Girls’ School, at the invitation of the Malvern Civic Society. They present several concerts a year, including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols at Christmas for which alumnae return to their hometown to celebrate their unique musical legacy. The Singers are made up of Lara Bienkowska, Becky Moore, Rebecca Fisher, Vicky Henderson, Alison Houlbrooke, Saska Ingham, Catherine Jackson, Lynne Lindner, Catherine Shepherd, Anna Taylor and Philippa Wright. On her retirement, Jenny Lind and her husband purchased a house in Malvern at Wynds Point and she lived there until her death in 1887. Themed ‘The Origins of Inspiration’, this year’s Festival will combine orchestral, chamber, vocal and choral concerts with exhibits and lectures to celebrate the life and music of Sir Edward Elgar at various venues across Worcestershire. It will bring together an array of internationally renowned guest artists, placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers. Launched in 2018, the Elgar Festival was established by decree of Worcester City Council and is traditionally held on the weekend closest to Elgar’s birthday, 2 June 1857. Since it began – lauded as ‘Critic’s Pick’ in both The Guardian and The Times – the Festival has doubled in size and scale and championed Sir Edward to as wide an audience as possible. For a full list of events, costs and booking information, please visit www.elgarfestival.org.
GoFundMe Campaign Like many arts-based charities, the Elgar Festival is raising money to help deliver its 2024 iteration. Donations help towards costs for Relaxed concerts, artist’s fees and instrument and venue hire, and help to keep the free events free for all. Further details can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/elgar-festival-2024
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