Voices Unwrapped, Kings Place
The most versatile of all instruments is celebrated in a full year of song, joyful and contemplative, old and new
At Kings Place, near Kings Cross, in the very lovely concert halls, a full year celebrates our ability to sing once more. Voices Unwrapped, this year's offering in the venue's illuminating 'Unwrapped' series, shows that the most versatile musical instrument of all comes from inside us of every one of us.
Whether it be telling a story in song, or exulting in the joy of life, or lamenting loss and pain, the human voice rises to every occasion. And two artists from very different discipline illustrate the voice's infinite range – baritone and composer Roderick Williams, and Gaelic singer and instrumentalist Julie Fowlis.
Popular baritone Roderick Williams is artist-in-residence at Kings Place. Photo: Richard Lewisohn
Williams appears throughout the year. His concerts include Songs of a Wayfarer, a musical journey from darkness to light, with Aurora Orchestra (Sat 25 Feb, 7:30PM).
Other artists to catch in the opening months include VOCES8, with composer Eric Whitacre (Thurs 13 Jan, 6:30PM), the jazzy Swingles (Sat 22 Jan, 7PM), the impressive Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, celebrating its 40th year, and Aurora again with the BBC Singers in a programme that includes James MacMillan's Seven Last Words.
Towards Easter, Bach's great St John Passion is performed by the Hanover Band and Chorus, (Wed 13 April, 7:30PM), the masterly Sixteen continues its Choral Pilgrimage with sacred and secular music (Wed 27 April,7:30PM), and Roderick Williams returns with songs by Schubert, Schumann, Butterworth and, in his centenary year, Vaughan Williams (Thurs 5 May, 7:30PM).
Composer Eric Whitacre appears with VOCES8 in Voices Unwrapped at Kings place on 13 January
Other events will be added to Voices Unwrapped as the year unfolds, but already it's worth making a note of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment's all-Haydn concert (Fri 30 Sept, 7:30PM), and there is sure to be Christmas music galore nearer the time.
For now, all current details are here, and watch Culture Whisper for updates too.
