Episode 7: Featuring Mezzo-Soprano Katie Bray

In this episode, Davina reviews two newly released albums hot off the press:  Handel’s 'La Resurrezione' by The English Concert and 'John Wilbye – Draw on Sweet Night ' by I Fagiolini and Robert Hollingworth. The English Concert and Harry Bicket’s acclaimed concert cycle of Handel operas and oratorios continues with its second release on Linn, following Handel’s Rodelinda last year. La Resurrezione, composed by Handel in his mid-twenties, and first performed on Easter Sunday in 1708, marked the climax of Handel’s time in Rome. The work details the events between and during Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This new album features some of today’s finest voices including Lucy Crowe, Iestyn Davies, Sophie Bevan, Ashley Riches and Hugo Hymas. Davina is joined in The Classical Corner by Iestyn and Lucy to talk about their favourite arias, Handel's operatic writing and the process of recording the album.   To welcome the spring, I Fagiolini has put aside its beloved Monteverdi to uncover its own national heritage: the best of John Wilbye's classic Golden Age madrigals. The album marks the first specific recording of Wilbye's Madrigals released since the 1980s.  The album covers a central part of English choral culture that has been strangely out of fashion for so long, sung by a group that has matured into the repertoire. The plangent dissonance of ‘Draw on, sweet night’ and ‘Weep, weep, mine eyes’ evoke English melancholy, while ‘Sweet honeysucking bees’ and ‘Adieu, sweet Amaryllis’ are such sheer pleasure to sing that many listeners will scrabble to unearth old scores. Davina chats to Robert about how this new album came about, the choice of repertoire and the sheer delight of listening to and singing English madrigals. With special thanks to Linn Records and Coro for the use of these beautiful recordings. All the recordings discussed in this episode of The Classical Corner can be found in the Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wbunpPpFKH36KIys8OF2D?si=996cd75080bb4997

In this episode, Davina is joined by Harley Street Nutritionist and soprano, Rhiannon Lambert. They discuss her career as a soprano and how she moved from the music industry to become Registered Nutritionist, resulting in the launch of her clinic, Rhitrition. Rhiannon specialises in weight management and disordered eating, pre and post-natal nutrition and sports nutrition.   Davina and Rhiannon talk about both the joy but also the enormous pressures of the music industry, especially those tied in with mental health and body image, which led Rhiannon to seek a different career path. They explore finding balance as busy professional women on the road, as well as the optimum diet and supplements, which can result in peak performances from musicians and athletes alike. They touch on Rhiannon's award-winning books and her podcast, Food For Thought. The episode also includes some beautiful recordings of Rhiannon singing.   Rhiannon has just launched her new Rhitrition supplement shop, which are available to purchase here   Rhiannon's books, Re-Nourish: A Simple Way To Eat and also The Science of Nutrition with DK can be purchased here   Rhiannon's podcast,  Food For Thought can be listened to here   Follow Rhiannon on Instagram here   For nutritional support on any of the topics discussed in this podcast, please reach out to one of the incredible team at Rhitrition, who will be able to advise on weight management, gut health, disordered eating, sports, family and maternal nutrition.  You can book an appointment here: https://rhitrition.com/clinic/   For eating disorder support, contact BEAT

In this episode, Davina is joined by the internationally acclaimed British violinist, vocalist and concert producer, Lizzie Ball.   Davina and Lizzie discuss her flourishing career as a prolific performer in all genres around the world, and also her passion for bringing classical music to a wider audience in accessible, diverse venues and contexts through her wonderful organisation, Classical Kicks. Lizzie also talks about her role as an Ambassador for PRISMA, a charity founded to help children in need by providing art workshops to rural underdeveloped areas of Mexico. They discuss Lizzie's new Life Coaching business, ‘Set Your Stage’, for which she has recently been awarded an RPS Enterprise Award.   All of the recordings from Series 2, Episode 5 can be found in the Spotify Playlist here.   Watch Lizzie leading Nigel Kennedy's Orchestra at his 2013 Palestinian Prom here.   Find out more about Lizzie here.

In this episode, Davina is joined by the internationally acclaimed German baritone, Benjamin Appl.   They discuss his flourishing career as a soloist with orchestras around the world and also his love of lieder. Davina and Benjamin delve into his new recording of Winterreise with James Baillieu, which launched on 11th February with Alpha Classics, along with his beautiful BBC 4 documentary, produced by John Bridcut, which was filmed on the Julier pass in a 30 metre high tower, 2,300 metres above sea level.   All of the recordings from Series 2, Episode 4 can be found in the Spotify Playlist here   Benjamin's latest disk is available to buy here   Find out more about Benjamin here   Watch the BBC 4 documentary here which is released on Sunday 27th February 2022 at 8pm

In this episode, Davina is joined by British television personality and actor, Ollie Locke. They discuss his career as an actor, both in Hollywood films and the reality TV series, Made in Chelsea, gay marriage and also his surrogacy journey with husband, Gareth Locke. Davina and Ollie cover a range of repertoire including Bach's 'Arioso', Rutter's 'The Lord Bless You and Keep You', Vaughan Williams 'Fantasia' and works by James Horner.   All of the recordings from Series 2, Episode 3 can be found in the Spotify Playlist below: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lXwHD72E1mVQBC25kXA8w?si=7b615b25cabe458a   Ollie's latest book 'Fandye' is available to buy here   Follow Ollie on Instagram here

In this episode, Davina is joined by the internationally renowned violinist, early music specialist and Alexander Technique wizard, Jane Gordon.   They discuss her flourishing career as a violinist both with her chamber group, The Rautio Trio and also with the world's finest period instrument ensembles. Davina and Jane explore the tough world of touring, Alexander Technique and also a holistic approach to violin playing.   They cover a range of repertoire from Jane's latest CD's, including extracts from Mozart’s Piano Trio in Bb Major, Fauré's 'Berceuse' and also Beethoven's Piano Trio in D minor, 'Ghost'.   All of the recordings from Series 2, Episode 2 can be found in the Spotify Playlist below: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3UcAPzG26LruZnJTaQ0eCf?si=b86b69adb47d4110   Jane's latest Fauré disk is available to buy here   Find out more about Jane here   Hasting's Early Music Festival 

Welcome to Series 2 of The Classical Corner! In this first episode, Davina is joined by the internationally renowned, award-winning British soprano, Mary Bevan. They discuss her career as a recital and opera singer with the world's finest companies, Mary's love for baroque music and lieder, and also selection of her disks. Davina and Mary cover a range of repertoire including Handel's 'Un pensiero nemico di pace' from his oratorio Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, Holst’s ‘Soft and Gently’, Debussy’s ‘Le Jet D’Eau’ and also arias by Wolf and Vaughan Williams.    All of the recordings from Series 2, Episode 1 can be found in the Spotify Playlist below: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/042hQO5wx6g7VStOrNTGYM?si=376b8b3c67f9451f   Mary's latest disk 'Voyage' is available to buy here   Find out more about Mary here

In this episode, Davina is joined by the internationally renowned conductor, Sir John Eliot Gardiner. They discuss his flourishing international career as one of the world's most innovative and dynamic conductors, his award-winning ensembles- The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras, and also his love of all music from Bach to Bernstein. Davina and John Eliot cover a range of repertoire including Bach's Cantata BWV 77,  Monteverdi's Opera, 'Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in patria', Beethoven's Symphony Number 7 and also Brahms's Geistliches Lied.   This episode contains recordings from the English Baroque Soloists, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique and The Monteverdi Choir, from their label SDG.   All recordings from Episode 10 can be found in the Spotify Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GluYFkqq3j9NZhLYqcqCT?si=-B4THcZkRTO1wNDUkjoIrw   Watch The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras on their YouTube Channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBYbc4_3QJ9YEhXJtCTVO0A/videos      

In this episode, Davina is joined by the internationally renowned choral director, Harry Christophers. They discuss his flourishing career as a choral and orchestral conductor, his award-winning ensemble, The Sixteen, and also his love of all music from Purcell to The Who. Davina and Harry cover a range of repertoire including Tallis' 'O Nata Lux', Haydn's Symphony 99 and also Poulenc's 'Sept Reponds des Tenebres'.   This episode contains The Sixteen's recordings from their label, Coro.   All recordings from Episode 9 can be found in the Spotify Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0UP03gsHxba3jXnMTdSAhU?si=1HO5l0ASR-2UnGtTnVm9XA   Harry's Podcast, Choral Chihuahua can be listened to here: spoti.fi/3h4P8gH   Follow The Sixteen on their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thesixteenchoir/    

In this episode, Davina is joined by the internationally renowned, award-winning baroque violinist, Rachel Podger.      They discuss her flourishing career as a violinist, director and soloist with the world's finest early music ensembles, the movement of historically informed performance, her passion for teaching at the finest music conservatoires and their mutual love of Bach.     Davina and Rachel cover a range of repertoire including Bach's 'Cello Suites', Biber's 'Rosary Sonatas', Mozart's 'Duos for Violin and Viola' and Bach's 'Concerto for 3 Violins'.     This episode contains Rachel's recordings from her label, Channel Classics. All recordings from Episode 8 can be found in the Spotify Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4scIUqg5NhTANLcMDpEUIe?si=ZbW9ZuXjSG6w3zAzSKUiHg     Follow Rachel on her Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rachelpodger/     And her website here: http://www.rachelpodger.com/