Opera Prelude: The Works of an Artist.

A life of love and labour.
James Way (tenor) and Natalie Burch (piano)

Tenor James Way and pianist Natalie Burch were winners of the 2nd Prize in the 62nd Kathleen Ferrier Awards at the Wigmore Hall. These exciting young performers hold many top prizes and awards between them and are fast becoming recognised for their outstanding musicianship and creative programming.

“Blessed with a full-bodied attractive tone, deployed to superbly expressive effect” – Barry Millington, Evening Standard.

The first half of the programme explores the realms of musical instruments and musicians within the song repertoire. Opening with Shakespeare's famous text If music be the food of love set by Henry Purcell and wonderfully arranged for piano by Benjamin Britten.The rest of the first half draws on music from the German song repertoire and explores portrayals of specific musical instruments and their players.

The second half of the programme opens with a set of musical portraits by Schubert, followed by Poulenc’s cycle Le travail du peintre. The programme ends with Jake Heggie’s Friendly Persuasions, a set of songs based on real correspondence between Poulenc and some of the most important people in his life.

Opera Prelude is a small charity passionate about supporting young professional opera singers who give lecture recitals in London. These friendly and inclusive events will introduce you to the international opera singers of tomorrow by way of recitals, concerts and masterclasses.