This summer, I will be taking part in the Chloe Festival in its inaugural year. The festival will be celebrating with three exciting events of classical chamber music, poetry & talks centred around women composers & artists. The festival will take place in Greenwich, split between two locations over three days. The festival has been organised by the Chloe Piano Trio, comprising George Todică (piano), Jobine Siekman (cello), and Maria Gîlicel (violin).
Concert 1 – Thursday, 22nd June, 19:30 – Beyond the Shadow
Pianist and researcher Laura Casas Cambra will discuss women composers’ experiences as well as the presence of other artists in their lives. Afterwards, the Chloé Piano Trio will perform works by Henriette Bosmans, Clara & Robert Schumann and Lili Boulanger.
St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, London SE10 9BJ
Concert 2 – Friday, 23rd June, 19:30 – Growth & Rebirth
After opening with Cécile Chaminade’s Piano Trio, I will be performing an aria by Pauline Viardot and songs by Alma Mahler, Florence Price, and Ben Moore (from ‘So Free Am I’ which are songs on texts by women concerning oppression of women through the ages), interwoven with poetry and readings by and about female artists. Then the Chloé Piano Trio will perform works by Mélanie Bonis and Kelly-Marie Murphy.
Christ Church, Trafalgar Road, London SE10 9EQ
Concert 3 – 24th of June 19:30 – Sparks for the Future
Opening performance of the Rebecca Clarke Piano Trio, after which composer and singer-songwriter Hayat Selim will join for a selection of songs and a Q&A session allowing the audience to get involved. Then, the Chloé Piano Trio will play a side-by-side performance with pupils of St Mary Magdalene’s School pieces by Johanna Senfter, Elena Kats-Chernin and Sally Beamish. To finish, the School’s choir will sing alongside all performers.
Christ Church, Trafalgar Road, London SE10 9EQ
You can purchase tickets for any of the three concerts HERE:
That sounds like a lot of fun.
Yes the trio are very busy this week with their final preparations for the three concerts and starting rehearsals together. I’ve got several new pieces of music to learn this week too and some poetry and narrative about the composers and texts that American Ben Moore used to write his song cycle ‘So Free Am I’ that I have asked to include as the texts are by women from across millennia, expressing their longing to be free of the ages-old societal discrimination they write that they had suffered.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Happy to hear you are staying busy. But the emphasis on women reminded me that I recently read a disturbing article about how the cancel culture is targeting classical music. They are getting music professors fired from universities and other classical music organizations for specializing in and teaching European composers the cancel culture doesn’t like.
I’m not a fan of cancel culture. My set features a male composer because the recital is about ‘women in music’ and not just female composers, his compositions were texts by women about women, men and women working together as equals is what I’d like us to be aiming for not preference for any one group. I don’t think we can right the wrongs of people being overlooked in the past by overlooking another group moving forward.
It is important to find balance, and to listen to professors even if we disagree with them and have proper debates.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You are a voice of reason. Unfortunately, reason is becoming scarce these days.
I would love to attend, Charlotte. ☺️
I wish you could make it too John, the difficulty with these concerts is getting the word out that they’re on but it’s nice that its a summer festival so it will be light outside.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The pianist for the Chloé Piano Trio looks familiar… Sounds like a great little festival!
Haha 🙂 This is the first opportunity I’ve had to perform with George’s trio, one previous time we were booked was disrupted due to the covid lockdown. They are all very busy now, trying to get leaflets printed and posters and other admin then of course all their rehearsals.
Best wishes
Charlotte
All the best to all of you. Sounds like it will be terrific.
Thank you John, learning how to put concerts and festivals on ourselves is becoming very important, it is important to attract new audiences who perhaps haven’t been to a classical music concert before.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great idea
Amazing. It must be great to be busy again with all the concerts. 👍
It’s lovely to have a lot on and have the opportunity for the first time to perform with George’s trio. They all met at the Royal College of Music in London and one previous booking we had together was cancelled due to covid so I’m pleased to have another opportunity. I have some new songs to learn too so I have to get my head down this week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fabulous Charlotte, sounds wonderful. 🥰👏👏😘
Hello Gill,
I am looking forward to performing in a new venue in Greenwich. The Forum is a converted church and it focuses on creating spaces for the community to come together.
Best Wishes,
Charlotte
Compliments to all. (Wish I were in London, but…)
I like Schuman. What will the trio play?
🎶
I will put a full program on my blog possibly next week when they’ve finished the whole program, I will take part in about 30 minutes of the one hour concert. London is beautiful in the sunshine at the moment.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very good. And I can imagine London just perfect right now…
Sounds wonderful – I’m sure it will be met with rave reviews. And there is George on the advertisement!
Yes it’s his trio’s festival, they applied for an Arts Council Award and also got a PRS Foundation award for their trio so he is fantastically busy. Now they have all the final plans and marketing to do. I’m still finishing my Down the Rabbit Hole reports, accounts, and planning our next steps with that project, maybe to try to make a concert format out of the show.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How marvelous! I envision thrilled audiences, and feelings of satisfaction in the hearts of all the performers. xoxxo
I hope the venue helps to promote the concert because the Forum isn’t in the main town but this time that is not my responsibility thank goodness. It is quite nice to be the artist and not the producer/promoter on this one :). I’ll do what I can to mention we’re going to be there on my social media for them, George and his trio are working very hard on the three day festival of music.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Enterprising as ever! Good luck.
Yes I inspired George to apply and his trio are always looking for work opportunities together so now they are making their own festival for the first time. Now down to learning some new music this week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You make a great couple. You spark off each other. Like Joan Didion and John Dunne.
All the best and have fun! Happy summer to you, Charlotte! 🙂
So exciting, Charlotte!
It’s a wonderful idea, and the Chloé Piano Trio sounds like a fabulous treat.
I love the accent on women!
It sounds like your summer will be quite full.
RE: the gown – yay! I’m thinking it’s about 80% done at this point… maybe more.
I’ll be reassembling it on the judy this weekend. Final decisions on embellishing the tail will be made.
I’ll take some pics, and mail them to you.
I’ll explain about the thread guides for straps in the mail, as well.
Good news! Art Gown Belle Grâce was worn to a Gala in New York City!
I made a post about it. I’m thrilled.
Be well!
Resa
xo❦❦❦
Ive just got home after spending a few days at my parents helping to sort out all my reports and accounts. I’ll pop along for a look xx
xx
I’m so excited to finish your gown!!!!!!!!!
I can’t believe its in its final stages, I can’t wait to see what you have created!!! I would love to come to Canada to perform, I’ve friends going to Ottawa for work and I thought I wonder how far that is from you?
I know! The final stages are quite exciting.
Oh, you would love Ottawa! I adored working there.
It’s not that far, about 4 hours by train, and it’s a great ride.
Canada would LOVE you! xx