Delicatessen II with Steven Devine and Kate Semmens

Presented by: Beult Concerts

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0	MARDEN: Little Mill Oast
P	Sunday 20th September, 2020
N	2:30pm

Event information

Beult Concerts are really pleased to be able to present our first post-lockdown concert.

We are delighted to welcome back Steven Devine (harpsichord) and Kate Semmens (mezzo soprano) to Little Mill Oast in a socially distanced concert for only 23 people.

This programme of English song takes us right back to the reign of Charles I when composers started to explore the possibilities of setting the rhythm of natural speech into a musical format, resulting in a new declamatory style of composition. This made song singing both pleasurable and an art in itself, rather than the voice simply representing another instrumental line. The beheading of Charles I and the abolition of the monarchy was a time of musical ‘lockdown’ where from 1649-1660 all the theatres were closed, music was no longer allowed in the church, and there was no court to support musical roles and positions. Music now had to survive in the home. Despite this reduction of possibilities both in sponsorship and performance, the new style did not die out and when music was brought back in its fulness with the restoration of the monarchy we see how this style had been quietly cooking and was now free to flourish in the hands of composers such as Henry Purcell and John Blow. The advent of the pleasure gardens at the turn of the 18th century developed English song further. Songs now needed to be immediately accessible to an easily distracted audience, and songs start to convey stories of love, lust and loss.

The indoor event meets social distancing requirements.

Little Mill Oast is a beautifully resonant former working Oast House on the Weald of Kent. The venue is on the 2nd floor and there is no lift. We will operate a one-way system which means accessing the venue via some quite steep stairs. Please bring your own drinks and glasses if you would like refreshments. The programme will be c. 1 hour with no interval. We hope the sun is out but if temperatures drop it is always a good idea to bring a jumper/cardigan to this very special venue. Socially distanced chairs have been set out therefore larger parties may not be able to sit altogether.

If you begin to feel unwell a few days before the concert please contact Sally on 07837 297424 as we ask that you not attend the concert if you feel unwell.