Name: A Child of our Time
Start: 2023-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Barbican Centre

Organization

Conductor

Andrew Davis

Singer

Bass

Ashley Riches

bass baritone

Tenor

Joshua Stewart

Mezzo-soprano

Sarah Connolly

mezzo-soprano

Soprano

Pumeza Matshikiza

soprano

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra

Others

BBC Symphony Chorus

A Child of our Time

London

United Kingdom

Barbican Centre

Public

Private

Approved

Tippett’s A Child of Our Time begins in sorrow: “The world turns on its dark side. It is winter.” Composed at the start of the Second World War but provoked by decades of intolerance, Tippett’s “modern oratorio” is built around the soul-shaking melodies of African-American spirituals. But the human spirit is unbreakable, and this great British choral masterpiece is anything but a counsel of despair.

Sir Andrew Davis understands that; and after a lifetime championing British music, there are few artists better equipped than our Conductor Laureate to bring out Tippett’s boundless optimism as well as his burning sorrow. The BBC Symphony Chorus is joined by a truly exceptional team of soloists, and it all begins with a great leap of hope and joy: the ever-fresh Concerto for Double String Orchestra.

Matthew Brook has had to withdraw from this performance, and we are grateful to Ashley Riches who will perform in his place.

English

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble