Freya Waley-Cohen and Manchester Collective: Spell Book

Manchester Collective, soprano Héloïse Werner and mezzo-sopranos Fleur Barron and Katie Bray perform the world premiere of the complete Spell Book by British-American composer Freya Waley-Cohen.

‘At once intimate and visionary’ (BBC Music Magazine), Freya Waley-Cohen contrasts earthy playfulness and ethereal delicacy in her occult-inspired Spell Book, a dramatic song cycle setting spell-poems from Rebecca Tamás’s book WITCH. Manchester Collective, Héloïse Werner, Katie Bray and Fleur Barron invite listeners into Waley-Cohen’s mesmeric world, where the witch’s voice can reach out and influence the universe.

Known for its adventurous performances, Manchester Collective won this year’s Royal Philharmonic Ensemble award. Fleur Barron is ‘a knockout performer’ (The Times); Katie Bray ‘combines the heightened thrills of the soprano with the soulful pungency of the lower tessitura’ (VoxCarnyx); while Héloïse Werner’s ‘sense of fun gives even the most daring pieces a light and engaging touch’ (The Sunday Times).

Tagged with: Classical music Barbican Presents Contemporary music

This performance will finish at approximately 8.45pm, with no interval.

Please note this production contains strong language and adult themes.

Produced by the Barbican

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‘Disorientating, startling and compelling‘

The Times

‘The UK’s most innovative classical ensemble‘

The Telegraph

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