Hidden Voices
London Sinfonietta premieres a composition by Laurence Osborn, alongside works from Hannah Kendall and Luciano Berio on being heard, acceptance and community.
British contemporary classical composer Osborn’s new work Mute is a series of twelve ‘anti-concertos’ presented in four movements, each examining a different aspect of stifled voices: the evolving voice of the siren song as heard through beeswax earplugs; vocal manipulation techniques in pop music using tools like Melodyne; death and disembodied voices inspired by a Mark Fisher interview with electronic musician Burial; and fragmented references to Audrey Hepburn’s solos in My Fair Lady.
In these ‘anti-concertos’, solo instruments are periodically overwhelmed by their own solos and other ensemble members, emphasising the importance of listening and being heard amidst a crowd of voices.
The programme also features the UK premiere of Hannah Kendall’s shouting forever into the receiver, winner of the 2023 Ivor Novello Award for Best Large Ensemble Work. Inspired by a line from Ocean Vuong’s novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, the piece explores meditation and stillness through an instrument traditionally associated with Afro-diasporic sorrow.
Opening with Luciano Berio’s O King and Chemins II, and closing with his Folk Songs, with readings and narration throughout by literary artist Belinda Zhawi, this programme offers an imaginative exploration of voice, community and the struggle to be heard in today’s complex world.
Performers
London Sinfonietta
Geoffrey Paterson conductor
Paul Silverthorne viola
Lotte Betts-Dean mezzo-soprano
Belinda Zhawi narrator
Repertoire
Berio: O King for mezzo-soprano & 5 instruments; Chemins II for viola & 9 instruments
Hannah Kendall: shouting forever into the receiver (UK premiere)
Interval
Laurence Osborn: Mute (World premiere)
Berio: Folk Songs for mezzo-soprano & 7 instruments
Need to know
Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 6.30pm: pre-concert talk with conductor Geoffrey Paterson, composer Laurence Osborn and a special guest. Admission free to concert ticket holders.
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
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Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.