EIF 26: Beth Taylor & Hamish Brown

Hear evocative musical depictions of iconic female figures from myth, in the Festival debut of Scottish mezzo soprano Beth Taylor.

Scottish mezzo soprano Beth Taylor, praised by the Telegraph for her ‘tender and magnificent’ tone, makes her Festival debut with regular collaborator, pianist Hamish Brown. Their carefully curated recital is inspired by the sea and iconic female figures from myth from the Lorelei to Cassandra and Medusa.

Women composers are especially well represented in this programme. Among the many treats are Ethel Smyth’s atmospheric Three Moods of the Sea, Lili Boulanger’s pensive Reflets, Clara Schumann’s thrilling Die Lorelei and rapt chants by medieval composers Kassia and Hildegard of Bingen. There’s also a rare chance to hear songs from the enigmatic singer-songwriter and activist Connie Converse’s last known work – the haunting Cassandra Cycle.  

Beth Taylor also performs two works specially written for her. Cameron Biles-Liddell’s The Breakers evokes Scottish seascapes, while Stuart MacRae and poet JL Williams look through Medusa’s many eyes to seek the humanity behind the monstrous image.  

Presented by Edinburgh International Festival