London Fundraiser for BZAM

The British Friends of the Zimbabwe Academy of Music (BZAM) planned, promoted and staged a concert in London on 29 February, master-minded by Graham Johnson and featuring five young singers in a programme of music themed around the letter ‘B’ – for Bulawayo and BZAM.

Featuring Beethoven, Brahms, Berg and Britten, the concert was given in the music room of the home of Sir Vernon Ellis, chairman of both the British Council and the English National Opera.

The concert was full to capacity and Sir Vernon introduced the evening by paying tribute to the work of BZAM. Petroc Trelawny spoke in the interval about BZAM’s plans and Ron Sandler made an address at the end appealing for support. Graham’s five singers were young,  passionate and highly talented, and he interleaved the songs with explanation and anecdotes about Zimbabwe and his time at the Academy. There was a real sense of warmth and enthusiasm pervading the whole night.

The concert itself raised upwards of £10 000. BZAM’s initial aim is a trust fund of US$100 000 (around £62 500) but its fund-raising will be ongoing and it plans at least one concert to this end each year. (see BZAM page).

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The Programme:

BZAM Launch Concert – Monday 28th February 2011
49, Queens Gate Terrace, London

‘B is for Bulawayo’ with:

Lucy Page, soprano
Katie Bray, mezzo-soprano
Rupert Charlesworth, tenor
Benjamin Appl, baritone
Martin Häßler, baritone
Graham Johnson, piano

Beethoven   An die ferne Geliebte – performed by Benjamin Appl (baritone)
Brahms   Auf dem Kirchhofe – An eine Aeolsharfe – Es schauen die Blumen alle –
Lerchengesang‑Ständchen; performed by Martin Häßler (baritone)
Vor der Tür (duet) performed by Martin Hässler and Katie Bray (mezzo soprano)
SHORT INTERVAL
Berg   Die Nacht – Schilflied – Im Zimmer –Die Nachtigall; performed by Lucy Page (soprano)
Britten   Canticle I “My beloved is mine” performed by  Rupert Charlesworth (tenor)
Cabaret Songs: Tell me the truth about love – Johnny – Calypso – Funeral Blues;
performed by Katie Bray (mezzo)

By Admin in News on March 1, 2011