Timothy Edlin - Bass-baritone

Hamish Brown - Piano & Harpsichord

Programme

Selection of Arias by George Frideric Händel (1685-1759)

Lascia Amor from Orlando

Sorge Infausta from Orlando

Voli Colla sua Tromba from Ariodante

Invida Sorte avara from Ariodante

Nel Mondo e nell’ abisso from Tamelano

Selection of Lieder by Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Der Schiffer D. 536

Am Meer D. 957

Die Forelle D. 550

Selection of Lieder by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht Op. 96, No. 1

O Tod, Wie bitter bist du Op.121, No. 3

Wir wandelten Op. 96, No. 2

Wenn ich mit Menschen und mit Engelszungen redete Op. 121, No. 4

Programme Note

Welcome to a evening of music within the elegant confines of the Sala Dei Cavalieri. This Baroque venue, with its ornate architecture, serves as a fitting backdrop for our musical journey. 

First we delve into the world of the Baroque. George Frideric Handel, born in 1685, was a German-British composer known for his mastery of operatic and oratorio composition. His music, characterised by intricate melodies and dramatic expression, reflect the opulence and emotional depth of the Baroque era. Today’s selected arias demonstrate vividly these features, while looking through the lens of three contrasting characters from different Operas. First the Magician Zoroastro, who guides the hero Orlando on this destined journey. Then the King of Scotland, a conflicted ruler torn between his love for his daughter and his position as King. Lastly Leone from Tamerlano whose agitated aria expresses this unshakable solidarity in his own conviction.

Moving forward to the German Lied, we explore in intimate world of Schubert and Brahms. These songs were originally crafted for the intimate salon settings of the 19th century, taking place in venues not dissimilar to where we are today.

Franz Schubert, born in 1797, sits on the crossroads between the Classical and Romantic periods. Schubert is revered for his ability to meld music and poetry seamlessly, capturing the essence of the human experience through rich storytelling. His songs, "Der Schiffer," "Am Meer," and "Die Forelle," share aquatic imagery and are exquisite examples of his artistry embracing different moods. 

Johannes Brahms, born in 1833, represents the Romantic period in our program. A significant composer of his time, Brahms contributed extensively to chamber music, symphonic works, and of course Lieder. Today’s selection offers introspective glimpses into the themes of death and love. “Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht” portrays death as a cool, comforting presence, while “O Tod” is a biblical setting that grapples with our conflicted relationship with our mortality. "Wir Wandelten," and "Wenn ich mit Menschen," delve into profound expressions of love. The former reflects on the fleeting nature of happiness and connection, while the latter is again a biblical text, that proclaims love as the preeminent virtue, despite the solitude of the human soul. Timothy Edlin  

The English Bass-baritone Timothy Edlin started his musical education as a chorister in Canterbury Cathedral before continuing his studies at the University of Manchester and then at the Royal College of Music in London. After his studies, he became a member of the OpernStudio NRW, with whom he performed principal roles in opera houses across Northwest Germany.

Operatic highlights include; Il Sagrestano (Tosca) and Borella (Die Stumme von Portici) with Oper Dortmund; Sprecher and 2. Geharnischter (Die Zauberflöte), Johann (Werther), Reinmar (Tannhauser) and Antonio (Le Nozze di Figaro) with Opera Wuppertal; Achilla (Giulio Cesare by Händel) and the title role from Paisiello’s Il Re Teodoro in Venezia with Gelsenkirchen MiR; Petrucci (Lucrezia Borgia by Donizetti) with Aalto Theater Essen; Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) for RCMIOS and Officer/Arthur (Peter Maxwell Davies’ The Lighthouse) for RCMIOS and Teobaldo (Händel’s Faramondo) with The London Handel Festival. 

As a Concert, Oratorio, and Song singer, Timothy has performed in numerous prestigious venues, including the Wigmore Hall and the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, the Philharmonie Essen, the Chapel of King’s College Cambridge as well as performing live on BBC Radio 3. In 2023 he was a winner of the Salvat Beca Bach competition in Barcelona, and was invited to perform concerts across Spain including the opening concert of the Barcelona Festival with Masaaki Suzuki. He was also a finalist in the 2023 London Handel Festival Competition in London. Timothy is an active song and lieder singer, featuring previously as a recital artist with performances as part of the Deal Festival and the Lichfield Festival. 

Hamish Brown

Hamish Brown is an award-winning British pianist, currently based in London. His varied and wide-ranging work includes performances as a vocal accompanist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist, and soloist. 

As an acclaimed collaborator with many of the UK’s finest singers, Hamish has won the top pianist prizes at the ROSL Annual Music Competition, Kathleen Ferrier Awards, Mozart Singing Competition, and Somerset Song Prize. He has been a finalist at the Wigmore Hall Song Competition and Copenhagen Lied-Duo Competition and is a former Oxford Lieder Young Artist and Britten Pears Young Artist. 

In 2021, Hamish performed his debut Wigmore Hall recital with British soprano Milly Forrest. He has also performed at Cadogan Hall, Kings Place, Elgar Room, St John’s Smith Square, Saffron Hall, Oxford International Song Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Lewes Festival of Song, International Lied Festival Zeist, Klosters Music Festival, Beethovenfest Bonn and Heidelberger Frühling, and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4, BBC Four and Danish Radio (P2).

Hamish read music at the University of Manchester, continuing with postgraduate studies under Simon Lepper and Roger Vignoles at the Royal College of Music, graduating with Distinction.