James Newby & Joseph Middleton

Navigate feelings of restlessness, longing and isolation as baritone James Newby and Joseph Middleton examine humans’ eternal search, geographical and psychological, for a distant object of desire.

The causes of loneliness and displacement are innumerable. Newby sings of the restlessness of Schubert’s eternal wanderer, Mahler’s depiction of war-driven desperation and Beethoven’s yearning to be elsewhere. It’s just as relevant now: the UK premiere of Newby’s ECHO commission draws on our experiences of the past few years. Judith Bingham’s Casanova in Lockdown is based on the witty text of Giacomo Casanova’s Histoire de ma Vie, as he longs for company and freedom whilst imprisoned.

Returning to his alma mater, the Guildhall School, BBC New Generation Artist and Kathleen Ferrier Award alumnus is an ‘artist whose natural communicative gift shines through in every note’ (Gramophone). He navigates tonight’s emotional subjects with the same ease.

Tagged with: Classical music Barbican Presents ECHO Rising Stars

This performance will finish at approximately 9.30pm, including a 20-minute interval

Supported by the Idlewild Trust, Rainbow Dickinson Trust, Leche Trust and the Golsoncott Foundation

Produced by the Barbican

This is a past event. Subscribe to our newsletters to hear about upcoming events

Digital programme