What’s On
Our 2025 Series DREAMS: A Place
10 May - 13 July 2025
A song series in South East London embracing utopian ideals and cross-cultural dialogue, and celebrating the much-anticipated marital union of Clara and Robert Schumann 185 years ago.
This year we are offering both a Full Series Pass and a Schumann Weekend Pass as part of our ticketing options. Both of these also include access to the Young Artist's Platform in Blackheath Halls (Living Lieder, 5 June), their masterclasses 27-29 June with Pauliina, Stephan and Juliane, and also a late night Lieder Lounge (to be announced soon).
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My Journey
Celebrated Jamaican-Indian soprano Nadine Benjamin MBE joins us for our 2025 series finale, with a personal programme outlining her life and journey. Also a renowned coach, she will be joined by her mentees, including soprano Danae Eleni accompanied by Andrea Kmecova, for a programme that features a wide variety of songs and cultural influences.
Young Artist Masterclass with Juliane Banse
Acclaimed soprano Juliane Banse works with 2025 SongEasel Young Artists at this public masterclass.
Frauenliebe und -leben
Star German soprano Juliane Banse partners Finnish pianist Pauliina Tukiainen for a heart-felt conclusion to our Schumann celebrations. Their programme combines rousing Spanish songs with selections from Wolf’s Spanisches Liederbuch and Robert Schumann’s heart-felt Frauenliebe und -leben, his evocation of a woman’s journey in life-long love.
Young Artist Masterclass with Artist-in-Residence Stephan Loges
Acclaimed bass-baritone Stephan Loges works with 2025 SongEasel Young Artists at this public masterclass.
Clara & Robert
SongEasel 2025 Artist-in-Residence Stephan Loges joins Artistic Director Jocelyn Freeman for a heart-warming programme that pays homage to the 185th anniversary of the marriage of Clara Wieck to Robert Schumann 185 years ago. They present a selection of Clara’s songs alongside Robert’s Liederkreis Op 39 and selections from Kernerlieder Op 35.
Young Artist Masterclass with Pauliina Tukiainen
Acclaimed pianist Pauliina Tukiainen works with 2025 SongEasel Young Artists at this public masterclass.
Knight’s Dream
BBC New Generation Artist, stunning mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston presents an inspired programme pairing songs by Héloïse Werner and Fanny Hensel with Schumann’s Dichterliebe, in the original version for mezzo soprano. She is joined by renowned pianist Sholto Kynoch, who makes a welcome return to SongEasel, kicking off our Schumann weekend.
Fringe Performance #3
Join us for our final Fringe event, performed by exciting young mezzo-soprano Nafissatu Batu Duramy and Jocelyn Freeman in the wonderful space at Rocketvan Coffee Shop and Bar.. Expect a moving and evocative programme ranging from gems of the Lieder repertoire to songs in French and Bambara.
Fringe Performance #2
Stay with us for a family-friendly musical treat from exciting young mezzo-soprano Nafissatu Batu Duramy and Jocelyn Freeman as we continue our Fringe programme. Expect a moving and evocative programme ranging from gems of the Lieder repertoire to songs in French and Bambara.
Belonging
Exceptional young Zambian baritone Themba Mvula performs a recital of works by Mokale Koapeng, Robert Fokkens and Amanda Aldridge, accompanied by Jocelyn Freeman.
Lebendige Lieder: Young Artist Platform
Participants in SongEasel’s 2025 Young Artist Programme present a resplendent programme of Lebendige Lieder (Living Song) that captures the utopian ideals and cross-cultural dialogue of the current recital series DREAMS: A Place. Lieder from Robert and Clara Schumann pairs with Goethe and Hafiz settings, culminating with songs from more sociable settings, such as cabaret and salon, in a true celebration of the place of Lieder in today’s society.
Dichterliebe
Incomparable tenor James Gilchrist joins pianist Jocelyn Freeman for Schumann’s epic Dichterliebe alongside musical settings of lyrical Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas. A new commission by Isabella Gellis augments this thought-provoking repertoire, which includes works by William Mathias and Rhian Samuel, and a selection of idyllic English Song.
Fringe Performance #1
Begin your weekend with a family-friendly musical treat as we launch our Fringe programme with an eclectic programme of salon, classical and show tunes at Rocketvan Coffee Shop & Bar.
Clara and Robert Schumann Listening Club
Our celebrations for the 185th anniversary of Clara and Robert Schumann’s marriage continue with a special Listening Club event featuring some of the composers’ best-loved works.
2025 Artist-in-Residence Stephan Loges joins former SongEasel Young Artist Catherine Hooper and Jocelyn Freeman (piano)
Series Launch: Myrthen
We launch our recital series with Schumann’s romantic cycle Myrthen, written as a wedding gift for Clara Wieck. The performance will also include works by Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, and will be performed by acclaimed soprano Francesca Chiejina, Artist-in-Residence bass-baritone Stephan Loges, emerging baritone Isaac Tolley, and SongEasel Artistic Director, Jocelyn Freeman, piano.
Schools’ Project Finale Performance - DREAMS: My Place
Schools’ Project Finale Performance - DREAMS: My Place
This year's Schools’ Project brings together four schools from across Lewisham, inspired by the life, letters and poetry of Mary Stuart. Schumann’s Maria Stuart Lieder in English translation by Jeremy Sams are complemented by works by Claudin de Sermisy and Dee Isaacs, and participants’ own works of art in response to our theme.
Ticket prices
Free admission, retiring collection
A Winter Celebration of Song
A Winter Celebration of Song
SongEasel returns to South East London after a stellar 2024 series, presenting an evening of light-hearted classics and Lieder, including Robert Schumann’s Spanische Liebeslieder Op 138 for four singers and piano duet.
We bring together world-renowned artists soprano Ailish Tynan ('mischevieous yet touching' The Times) and James Gilchrist ('has few equals amongst tenors' MusicOHM) with some of the most exciting emerging artists of the time, including the winner of the 2023 Critics' Circle Young Talent award, Francesca Chiejina. With the nurture of young talent at the heart of our mission, former SongEasel Young Artists Jared Andrew Michaud and Jordi Bitlloch will also star alongside exceptional young mezzo soprano Nafissatou Batu Duramy and Artistic Director Jocelyn Freeman. The evening is hosted by the beautiful and historic church referenced by Dickens in Little Dorrit.
Francesca Chiejina soprano
Ailish Tynan soprano
Nafissatou Batu Duramy mezzo soprano
James Gilchrist tenor
Jared Andrew Michaud baritone
Jordi Bitlloch piano
Jocelyn Freeman piano and curator
'A consummate performance in perfect surroundings together with a glass of wine from the bar made this a perfect evening.' Audience member, May 2024
Ticket prices
£10 students, over 65s, and unemployed; under 16s free
Early Bird £5/£12/£30 for side, centre and front seating *available until 10 November*
Full price £7.50/£15/£35 for side, centre and front seating
Reception £25 Early Bird / Full Price £35
The performance will be followed at 8.15pm by a drinks and light buffet reception (ticketed separately), with a chance to meet the artists and celebrate SongEasel.
With deepest gratitude to our artists for giving so generously of their time and talents for this fundraising event.
Series Finale: The Wanderer and The Soldier
Our series finale presents internationally acclaimed tenor Mark Padmore CBE and pianist Jocelyn Freeman in a beautifully curated recital paying homage to two of Lord Byron’s Dulwich classmates: the celebrated pedestrian Captain Robert Barclay and Major-General John Gaspard Le Marchant
Shakespeare in Song
The renowned young Nigerian-American soprano Francesca Chiejina joins Jocelyn Freeman for a celebratory programme of Shakespeare settings to mark the 460th anniversary of his birth
Fringe with Lacey & Lorenz @ Rocketvan
Helen Lacey (soprano) and Stella Marie Lorenz (piano) bring their eclectic programme of songs by George Gershwin and Francis Poulenc, as well as a selection of Italian parlour songs to the vibrant outdoor stage in Walworth.
Free admission, retiring collection
Nearest station: Elephant & Castle (12mins walk)
An Evening of Don Juan
The course of Lord Byron’s epic poem Don Juan is plotted through song, featuring prize-winning soprano Ella Taylor with SongEasel Artistic Director Jocelyn Freeman (piano)
Fringe with Anna Sideris @ Rocketvan
Begin your weekend with a family-friendly musical treat as Anna Sideris (soprano) and Jocelyn Freeman (piano) perform an eclectic programme of salon, classical and show tunes at Rocketvan Coffee Shop & Bar.
Free admission, retiring collection
Nearest station: Elephant & Castle (12mins walk)
Fauré: Complete Mélodies
Acclaimed young tenor Gwilym Bowen features with Lucy Gibbs (mezzo-soprano) and Jared Andrew Michaud (baritone) alongside SongEasel Young Artists in an historical performance of Fauré’s complete mélodies across the composer’s centenary weekend.
Fauré: Requiem - Fauré 100
SongEasel presents the 1893 version of Fauré’s iconic Requiem Op. 48, featuring celebrated soprano Elin Manahan Thomas alongside rising star baritone Malachy Frame, and the Corbett Consort.
Fauré Mélodies Masterclass with Roy Howat
Leading Fauré expert Roy Howat guides SongEasel Young Artists through the art of performing the mélodies of Gabriel Fauré
Fringe Performance 1
Helen Lacey (soprano) and Stella Marie Lorenz (piano) perform an eclectic programme of songs including works by George Gershwin and Francis Poulenc, as well as a selection of Italian parlour songs.
Fauré Listening Club
Our celebrations of the one hundredth anniversary of Fauré’s death commence with a special Listening Club featuring some of the composer’s best-loved works. Curated and introduced by Dr Emily Kilpatrick, this informal event will feature Fauré’s Aprés un rêve, Pavane, Dolly Suite, Libera Me from his Requiem and his exquisite Cantique de Jean Racine.
Featuring Helen Lacey (soprano), Johannes Gerges (bass), Oliver Cavadino (flute), The Choir of St Laurence Church, Catford and Jocelyn Freeman (piano/conductor)
Free admission, retiring collection
Nearest stations: 8 mins walk from Catford and Catford Bridge (11 mins London Bridge / 23 mins Blackfriars)
Recital Series Launch: The Land of Lost Content
A recital of song featuring Roderick Williams OBE (baritone), Iain Burnside (piano) and Leon Bosch (double bass)
Roderick Williams Song Masterclass
Leading baritone Roderick Williams OBE guides SongEasel Young Artists through the art of performing song, in this engaging event open to all.
Young Artists' Platform: Community Performance Platform 4
The last in the series of performances in which our young artists get the opportunity to perform to elderly residents of Lewisham. This performance will be curated by pianist and vocal coach, Sholto Kynoch.
Quintessential Song Series: Eventide till Dawn
Britten's Canticle V concludes ‘Quintessential Song’ with a recital for voice and harp in Catford. Acclaimed Northern Irish soprano Aoife Miskelly joins forces with former Royal Harpist Anne Denholm for a stunning programme including works by Britten and Barber.
Free Admission, retiring collection