Photo : Conservatoire Nadia et Lili Boulanger - crée avec l'aide de Microsoft IA (Copilot)
English Art Song
The English Art Song occupies a unique place in the history of vocal music. Through a program blending lyricism, elegance, and expressivity, students bring to life melodies inspired by great English poetry and reveal the subtlety of the dialogue between voice and piano.
Bibliothèque musicale La Grange-Fleuret (Paris 8th)
Part of the Nadia and Lili Boulanger Conservatory Events programme
About
This concert celebrates the saxophone quartet through a varied program, revealing the full richness of an ensemble that is at once virtuosic, expressive, and surprisingly diverse.
The English Art Song invites you to discover a vocal repertoire of great finesse, where music serves English poetry. Through works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Roger Quilter, Benjamin Britten, Madeleine Dring, and others, students explore an intimate, subtle, and deeply expressive musical universe.
Born at the end of the 19th century, the English Art Song is part of a rich tradition rooted in English poetry, from Shakespeare to Tennyson, and in the Romantic legacy of Schubert. Composed for voice and piano, this music is distinguished by the delicacy of its writing, the richness of its harmonies, and the subtlety of the dialogue between text and music.
Ralph Vaughan Williams draws luminous and profound inspiration from folklore and the English landscape. Roger Quilter captivates with the elegance and sensitivity of his melodies. Benjamin Britten, for his part, renewed the genre in the 20th century with a more modern and theatrical style, serving texts of great intensity. Madeleine Dring, a composer and pianist, brings a unique and personal voice to this repertoire, with melodies of great finesse.
This project highlights the dialogue between voice, text, and music, allowing young singers to deepen their work on interpretation, diction, and expression, while discovering the diversity and modernity of the English art song.
Coordination: Natallia Yeliseyeva
Our take on this event
Forget everything you think you know about saxophones and prepare for an evening where wind instruments breathe life into classic English poetry. These performers turn intricate song cycles into a deeply emotional experience, perfect for anyone looking to slow down and enjoy a refined musical atmosphere.
The Bibliothèque musicale La Grange-Fleuret, located in the 8th arrondissement, hosts a concert dedicated to English Art Songs on Monday, May 24, 2027. From 12:00 to 13:30, students perform a refined repertoire that highlights the intricate relationship between English poetry and classical music. This free event invites attendees to explore works by composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Roger Quilter, Benjamin Britten, and Madeleine Dring. It is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the delicacy of this musical tradition during a midday break, showcasing an intimate and expressive world within a prestigious setting.
On Monday, May 24, 2027, the Bibliothèque musicale La Grange-Fleuret presents a performance focused on the English Art Song repertoire. Between 12:00 and 13:30, the concert illuminates vocal works where music serves to enhance the power of English literary texts. Coordinated by Natallia Yeliseyeva, young vocalists explore this tradition, which draws its roots from English poetry and the romantic heritage of composers like Schubert.
The program offers an immersion into diverse compositions, ranging from the folklore-inspired landscapes of Ralph Vaughan Williams to the elegant sensitivity of Roger Quilter. Audiences will also discover the modern and theatrical approach of Benjamin Britten alongside the nuanced melodies of composer and pianist Madeleine Dring. This project showcases the students' dedication to interpretation and diction, emphasizing the delicate dialogue between voice and piano. Attendance at this event in the 8th arrondissement is free, providing a high-quality artistic experience during the day.
