Strand International Festival of Song 1

About the Event

International opera stars launch London's newest classical song series held in the intimate space of the ''Jewel of the Strand'', St Mary le Strand. These five recitals will cover a broad spectrum of composers, from Scottish folksongs, Vaughan Williams songs of Travel, Schubert lieder and Rossini's Cat Duet to a tribute to Rachmaninov's 150th Anniversary.

The first concert in the series will feature an exquisite programme of songs as selected by our headline performer Ilona Domnich

About the performers:
Ilona Domnich is a lyric soprano (leggero), described by Opera Now as ”A memorable voice of silken beauty with a luminous edge to the tone, a sensitive musician and an actress of magnetic presence” and was chosen by Opera Now as one of the magazine’s Top 10 high flyers, ” a new generation of sopranos who are destined to have impressive careers”. Ilona Domnich was highlighted as artist of the month in Opera magazine and was the Daily Telegraph’s choice of ‘best British‐based talent’. Ilona first came to the attention of legendary singing teacher, Vera Rosza during a masterclass. She went on to win the prestigious Wingate scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music and since those early days has gained a formidable international reputation for daring and excellence on stage.

Annabel Thwaite Recognised as one of the most versatile and charismatic pianists, Annabel has won all the major accompanying prizes, including the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier, Gold Medal, and Richard Tauber Piano Prizes. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, David Kempster, “Only Men Aloud!, the Michael Clark Company and Ensemble Midtvest. As a Soloist, Chamber musician and regularly collaborating with Sir Bryn Terfel, she has toured and performed in many countries, including the USA at Carnegie Hall and Queens College, Walter Hall and Koerner Hall in Canada, France, Italy, Sweden and Slovenia, and in England, concertos at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and Imperial College, London.