Temple Song, Middle Temple Hall

Middle Temple Hall within the Inns of Court is one of London's finest example of Elizabethan architecture, virtually unaltered since it opened in 1562. Its long tradition of arts and music – Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was given its first performance at Middle Temple – continues, and the atmospheric venue is often used for prestigious music events.

Temple Song is a series of concerts in 2017 featuring, one by one, four of Britain's outstanding opera singers and recitalists – mezzo-soprano Christine Rice (23 Jan), counter-tenor Iestyn Davies (10 July), baritone Simon Keenlyside (25 Oct), and tenor Ian Bostridge (29 Nov). Each is joined by the pianist Julius Drake.

Christine Rice, in the opening concert, sings works by Haydn and Ravel before performing the highly dramatic Poulenc/Jean Cocteau one-act opera for solo singer, La Voix Humaine, a tragic domestic scene played out through a series of telephone conversations.

Other artists' programmes will be announced nearer the time.

Singing of this calibre in such an exclusive venue quickly attracts a crowd. Be sure to book early to come face to face with the leading names in British singing.