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Freya Waley-Cohen and Manchester Collective: Spell Book

,Milton Court Concert Hall
Grainy, greyscale photo of Freya Waley-Cohen overlaid with grey and turquoise paint swirls

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

Programme

  • Freya Waley-Cohen   Naiad
  •   Spell Book (world premiere)

Performers

  • Manchester Collective  
  • Héloïse Werner   soprano
  • Fleur Barron   mezzo-soprano
  • Katie Bray   mezzo-soprano
  • Céline Saout   harp
  • ‘Disorientating, startling and compelling‘
    The Times
  • ‘The UK’s most innovative classical ensemble‘
    The Telegraph

Digital programme

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Milton Court Concert Hall

Location
Milton Court Concert Hall is located within the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Barbican entrance on Silk Street.  

Address
Milton Court
Silk St, London
EC2Y 9BH

Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, Old Street, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street

Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available