St John's has an enviable acoustic and, with concerts taking place throughout the year, is known locally as the venue of choice for choirs, chamber musicians and solo artists.
Quintet Zambra is a dynamic group of some of Britain's finest young wind players. They present a French inspired programme to open this year's Festival, with music by Debusy, Poulenc and Ravel. Mezzo-soprano Deborah Davison sings with English National Opera and has given many song recitals across Europe. Her lunchtime recital 'Love's Sweet Song' is a diverse and entertaining portrait of love through the ages. Urbane singer and internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Dominic Alldis returns to entertain us with a show celebrating songs from 'The Great American Songbook'.
The Festival concludes with celebrations for the Feast Day of St John the Baptist, and Festal Choral Evensong features the world premier of a new setting of Psalm 121 by Paul Spicer.
All events are free for under 18s and only £5 for students. The programme this year can be explored online at www.wimbledonfestival.com, or telephone the Box Office on 020 8947 91177 for further information. We hope that you will find much that appeals to you and look forward to welcoming you to St John's!
Michael Higgins, Director of Music
Programme of Festival Events
Thursday 17 June, 8.00pm (£10)
Impressions of France
Quintet Zambra
Quintet Zambra is a dynamic group whose aim is to bring the more unusual as well as popular repertoire for Wind Quintet to audiences across the United Kingdom. They present a French inspired programme to open the Midsummer Music Festival, including Debussy's Children's Corner and Ravel's Mother Goose Suite.
Friday 18 June, 1.00pm (Retiring Collection)
Love’s Sweet Song
Deborah Davison mezzo-soprano and Michael Higgins piano
Deborah Davison sings with English National Opera and has given many song recitals across Europe. Love's Sweet Song is a diverse and entertaining portrait of love through the ages with music from Mozart to Fats Waller.
"There is a small gem of a performance from Deborah Davison...who makes the final scene irresistibly funny." THE STAGE
Saturday 20 June, 8.00pm (£15)
The Great American Songbook
with Dominic Alldis
Urbane singer and pianist Dominic Alldis will entertain us with a sophisticated show celebrating songs from the Great American Songbook. His programme will include favourites by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hart, as well as British songs by Ivor Novello and Noel Coward. He will be accompanied by a swinging rhythm-section featuring Andrew Cleyndert (bass), Sebastian de Krom (drums) and the eminent jazz saxophonist Alex Garnett.
'It's rare to find a pianist-singer with a style so finely integrated that it's hard to think of voice and piano as separate elements. We're lucky to have him.' Dave Gelly, THE OBSERVER
Sunday 20 June, 10.15-11.30am
Festal Choral Eucharist
St John’s Singers
BYRD Mass for Four Voices
Sunday 21 June, 7.00pm Festal Choral Evensong
St John’s Singers
STANFORD Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in G
SPICER Psalm 121 (Festival Commission, first performance)
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