Strand International Song Series - Love Letters

International opera stars launch London's newest classical song series held in the intimate space of "The Jewel in the Strand",  St Mary le Strand. These five recitals, curated by soprano Susan Parkes, 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. For full details of the series see www.siss.org.uk The incredible duo of tenor Ben Thapa and pianist Annabel Thwaite share a beautifully heart wrenching programme of Howells, Wagner and Strauss as they present 'Love Letters'  Featuring Ben Thapa (Tenor) Annabel Thwaite (Piano) Programme Herbert Howells: King David,  A widow bird,  Come sing and dance    Richard Wagner:  Wesendonck Lieder  Der Engel Stehe still! Im Treibhaus Schmerzen Träume   Richard Strauss:  Heimliche Aufforderung,  Zueignung,  Morgen!     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.   Ben Thapa started his career as one quarter of the classical opera group G4, runners-up on ITV's The X Factor in 2004. Leaving the group in 2018 he has since forged a varied career on the stage across a range of repertory. Operatic credits include Tito (La Clemenza di Tito, Teatru Manoel), Kudrjash (Katya Kabanova, Scottish Opera on Tour), The President (Mittwoch aus Licht, Birmingham Opera/BBC Proms), Arbace(Idomeneo, Buxton Festival), Melot (Tristan und Isolde, Longborough Festival Opera) and Siegfried(The Quest for the Ring, Royal Festival Hall in association with Opera North). Ben was a soloist with the Really Big Chorus in  Messiah, Creation and the Mozart Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall. Further concert highlights include a Monteverdi Vespers tour (Monteverdi Choir), Matthew Passion(Ex Cathedra), Messiah (CBSO), Beethoven 9 (St John's Smith Square), performances with the Manchester Camerata including Messiah, Britten St. Nicholas, and Beethoven Missa Solemnis, and recitals at Leeds Town Hall. Ben made his main stage debut at English National Opera in their Carmen education project, and the role in Errollyn Wallen's new opera of Dr Anton (The Paradis Files) for Graeae Theatre Company, touring with the BBC Concert Orchestra in 2022. Recent engagements include Evangelist (Bach St. Matthew Passion), Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas) and Monteverdi Vespers, all for the Armonico Consort, the title role in La Clemenza di Tito (Chelsea Opera Group), Verdi Requiem at the Royal Festival Hall with the London Mozart Players, and at Grange Park, before finishing the year with Siegmund (Die Walküre) in concert with the London Opera Company at St. John's, Smith Square. 2024 plans include a national song recital tour with FormidAbility, Puccini Messe di Gloria with Collegium Musicum Costa del Sol, and Monostatos (Die Zauberflöte) for Wild Arts.  Ben is also a burgeoning conductor, with several regular engagements in London and the surrounding area. He has conducted the Bach Choir, the Nederlands Kammerkoor and Ex Cathedra.