Voices for Change

On Wednesday 30 January 2019 there is a chance to support the charity Lepra whilst listening to an evening of striking new choral music. At the church of St Stephen Walbrook, 39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN, the choir Cantata Dramatica, director of music James Potter, will be presenting Voices for Change with proceeds from the evening going to Lepra. The concert will feature settings of Greek poems of the Byzantine era by Solfa Carlile and Nick Bicât, including the premiere of Bicât 's Akathistos which will also feature the Community Choir of St Stephen Walbrook.

The event will help celebrate Lepra's 95th anniversary as well as recognising World Leprosy Day. Founded in 1924, Lepra works to provide vital treatment and support for those living with leprosy, working directly with communities in India, Bangladesh, and Mozambique to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate people affected by leprosy.

Nick Bicât has written over 150 scores and soundtracks for film, television,theatre, festival events and concert performance. Winner of a BAFTA and twice nominated, his film and television scores include A Christmas Carol (George C Scott), The Scarlet Pimpernel (Antony Andrews/Sir Ian McKellen/Jane Seymour), Wetherby (by Sir David Hare), and The Reflecting Skin (by Philip Ridley). He has composed for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, written eleven musicals and an opera The Knife, with Sir David Hare, (best musical score, 1989 New York Drama Desk Awards). Other collaborators include Tony Bicât, Edward Bond, Adrian Mitchell Howard Brenton and Ted Hughes.

Solfa Carlile is an Irish composer who studied at the Royal College of Music and at Oxford University, She was awarded the Jerome Hynes Commission by The National Concert Hall, Ireland, and was also a recipient of the Sean O’Riada composition award in 2013. Recently, her Three Byzantine Hymns were commissioned and performed by Cantata Dramatica, and her cantata on the life of St Cuthbert, co-written with librettist Nick Pitts-Tucker, will be performed at the Durham Vocal Festival in February 2019.

Further information from the Lepra website.