Shakespeare & Shearing

Founded by Stephen Dodsworth and Tim Raistrick in 1993, the Stratford Chamber Choir quickly established itself as one of the leading small choirs in the country. For over thirty years it has performed concerts and services in its hometown, in UK cathedrals including Winchester and Westminster, and on tour in North America and continental Europe.

Gifted amateurs working to professional standards, it has featured on BBC Songs of Praise and on Radio 3. Its Festival programme will include the jazz settings of Shakespeare’s words by George Shearing as well as others by Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Cook, R.J.S. Stevens, Henry Bishop, James Walker and John Cook.

Tamara will sing Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes as well as two short songs from Shakespeare’s plays: Where the bee sucks, there suck I and Full Fathom Five thy Father Lies by Purcell. Richard will sing Who is Sylvia? by Schubert and also Greensleeves – which may or may not have been composed by Henry VIII.

These songs will be accompanied at the piano by Colin Millington, Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church.

Performers:
Stephen Dodsworth conductor
Tamara Ravenhill soprano
Richard Milnes tenor
Colin Millington piano