Wesendonck Lieder, Schubert, Bohm, Rossini, Mozart and Brazilian Songs - St. Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, 30/1/16 -4:30pm

An Afternoon of Music in the City of London

On Saturday the 30th of January, Brazilian soprano Juliana Christmann will be joined by Victor Sgarbi and Ben Lathbury for a recital at the beautiful hall of the church St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, in Bishopsgate, central London, 50 metres from the main exit of Liverpool Street Station. 
Juliana will open the recital singing the beautiful Wesendonck Lieder from Wagner followed by songs from Schubert and Bohm. On the second half, Victor Sgarbi will join in to sing some arias and duets from the Classic repertoire, Rossini and Mozart. It will be a great opportunity to compare those two amazing composers and listen to some of their best known pieces for soprano and baritone. 
To close the recital, the two singers will alternate singing Brazilian music, from Bossa Nova to Folklore songs from the Northern regions of Brazil. Rhythm, colours and textures compose the background of these songs where the rich culture of  the indigenous population and Imperial Brazil slaves meet the modern avant guard composers. 
Juliana Christmann is opening in London a series of European recitals, after a successful operatic season at Teatro Sao Pedro in Sao Paulo in 2015. Juliana is an alumnus of the prestigious UNESP - Conducting and Composition School-  and a MSc in German Language. 
Victor Sgarbi's future projects include Sharpless in Madama Butterfly for Secret Opera, Amonasro in Aida for the New London Opera Players, Macbeth in Macbeth for Pavilion Opera on tour and concerts with the Professional Singers Scheme of the Philharmonia Chorus at the Festival Hall and Iturbi Hall in Valencia. Victor is also part of the newly formed Delphian Singers.  Victor will be hosting the recital and welcoming the audience from 16.15. 
Hailed as "a charismatic performer of sensitivity and panache" Ben Lathbury began playing the piano aged 6. A natural musician from a musical family, Ben grew up in the Midlands. Following early success in numerous competitions, Ben moved to Sussex in 2006 to study at the University of Chichester, where he established himself as a pianist of considerable talent. In 2009, Ben received a scholarship to fund his Master's Degree in Music Performance, studying with international pianist Jonathan Plowright. Since completing his studies, Ben has won several highly regarded competitions and has appeared as a special guest soloist with orchestras across the UK. He has been recognised as a champion of 20th century American repertoire, and his interpretation of Leroy Anderson's Concerto in C has garnered critical acclaim. Ben is widely respected as a concert pianist, choral conductor and piano teacher. He is the current Director of Music & Master of the Choristers at Holy Trinity Church in Bosham and is Musical Director for Havant Light Opera. From 2013, Ben had the privilege of building and leading the Music Department of Chichester Free School. Today, he lives in Chichester with his two cats, Persephone & Ozymandias and enjoys golf, chess and writing.
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Tickets at the door: £6 children and concessions and £12 adults.