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).

Sign up to our mailing list and follow us on social media (@songeasel) to hear first about upcoming concerts and community events!


Frauenliebe und -leben
Jun
28

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.

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Clara & Robert
Jun
27

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.

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Knight’s Dream
Jun
26

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.

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Lebendige Lieder: Young Artist Platform
Jun
5

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.

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Dichterliebe
May
22

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.

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Fringe Performance #1
May
16

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.

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Series Launch: Myrthen
May
10

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. 

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Schools’ Project Finale Performance - DREAMS: My Place
Mar
20

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

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A Winter Celebration of Song
Dec
2

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.

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Series Finale: The Wanderer and The Soldier
Jun
21

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

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Shakespeare in Song
Jun
16

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

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Fringe with Anna Sideris @ Rocketvan
May
17

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)

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Fauré: Complete Mélodies
May
12

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.

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Apr
21

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.

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Fauré Listening Club
Apr
21

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)

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Quintessential Song Series: Eventide till Dawn
Jul
2

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

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