Past, present and future intertwine in folksong, opera and oratorio as Sophie Bevan, Michael White and Ryan Wigglesworth mark the centenary of Jennifer Vyvyan, a soprano indelibly etched in Aldeburgh Festival history.

This special two-part event casts the legendary soprano, and her relationship with Britten and the Aldeburgh Festival, in an admiring contemporary light. She inspired and created Britten opera roles including The Governess in Turn of the Screw, Tytania, and Mrs Julian in Owen Wingrave. Her association with the Festival began in 1949 (its second year) and covered 25 years, nine operatic roles, and regular performances of works for voice and orchestra like Les Illuminations, Spring Symphony, Cantata Academica and the War Requiem. She was a major and enduring inspiration for Britten and died tragically at the age of 49.

We present the outstanding duo of soprano Sophie Bevan and pianist Ryan Wigglesworth in recital. Their captivating programme, especially curated for this occasion, embraces the range of music for which Vyvyan was known, and presents it in a new light. At this distance we can appreciate afresh the formative influence of Vyvyan on both festival and composer, and in the year of what would have been her 100th birthday, can also enjoy the music-making of two leading artists who in turn are shaping today’s musical landscape.

The afternoon begins with an illuminating talk from Michael White – critic, broadcaster, and editor of jennifervyvyan.org – which sets her career and artistry in the context of the world in which she functioned as a singer in the mid-20th century – a time in which, as he says, “music-making in the UK changed, dramatically and for the better”.

Refreshments will be available from the Reekie Bar beforehand and in the break between the talk and the recital.

Sophie Bevan soprano
Ryan Wigglesworth piano
Michael White speaker