Voice: Patterns of Love

Pre concert introduction by Christopher Franks

Patterns of Love is a programme of a cappella songs that explore the beauty, heartache, and humour of love. The trio’s performance spans hundreds of years, from medieval up to the current day with music from twelfth-century Germany, thirteenth-century France, Shakespearean song, and folksong arrangements from the UK and Ireland. The performance will also include new music by British composers.  This is an uplifting concert filled with rich harmonies, beautiful lyrics, space for reflection and both sad, and funny stories.

Local resident Christopher Franks will give a short talk on the history of this hidden medieval hamlet and the founding of St Bartholomew’s leper hospice in 1126 by Henry I.

Voice is an exciting, female vocal trio. In their 18 years together, they have built a dedicated fan-base across the world; a rich, varied repertoire of their own arrangements, new commissions, and rarely performed Early Music; and they have honed a truly unique sound. They draw on their individual musical interests and experiences to create thrilling timbres and a blend that has been described as ‘one voice’.

The trio has toured throughout the UK, USA and Europe with their two self-released albums: Musical Harmony (2013), “a stunning body of work destined to prick up the hairs on the back of one’s neck” (Oxford Times & Mail), and Patterns of Love (2015). Collaborative releases include: I Have Set My Hert So Hy (Avie, 2015) with Dufay Collective, whom they also toured two new programmes of Spanish medieval pilgrim music in Galicia in September 2019; and Leoš Janáček’s The Diary of One Who Disappeared; Moravian Folksongs; Říkadla with Julius Drake and Nicky Spence (Hyperion, 2019). “The arrival of the siren-like trio… is heart-stopping and haunting in equal measure” (Gramophone Recording of the Month).

Voice released their latest album, Hildegard Portraits on SOMM Recordings in June 2022. 4.5* “beauty and precision. They continue to tour their multimedia show Hildegard Transfigured, with visual artist Innerstrings, described as “transfixing” Opera Today & received 4* review The Guardian.

Programme

Favus distillans Hildegard of Bingen (12th C) *
Batonebo Traditional, Georgia
Angelica the Doorkeeper Marcus Davidson for Voice (2010)
O Mistress Mine Anon., England (c.17th C), arr. V. Couper for Voice (2014)
The Willow Song Anon., England (c.1585), arr. V. Couper for Voice (2011)
The Water of Tyne Traditional Northumbria, UK, arr. V. Couper for Voice (2012)
O Waly, Waly Traditional England, arr. C. Franks for Voice (2014)
Lovely Joan Traditional, England. Collected R.V. Williams (1908) arr. Voice (2017)
Tres Hermanicas Traditional Sephardic, arr. V. Couper for Voice (2011)
Trois Sereurs Anon., from the Montpellier Codex (13th  C France)
Happy Song Stevie Wishart for Voice (2014)

Please note that there is no parking and facilities on the site.