Avoid the early evening rush hour and relax with an hour of live music from up-and-coming performers here at the Stoller Hall.
These hour-long concerts are a chance to catch artists from our Emerging Artists Scheme, which has been generously supported by the Haworth Trust.
Special Offer
Five concerts for the price of four. Book all five of our Rush Hour concerts in one transaction for just £20. (Discount will be automatically applied at checkout.)
Les Femmes Illustres – The Female Genius
A programme presenting two pictures of the excellency of female artists in the seventeenth century. Firstly, female writers and poets in France who made their living from writing and who were
indirectly curating literary, social and musical trends through their influence as salon hostesses. Secondly, singer-actresses in seventeenthcentury London theatres – women who were amongst the
first generations of females allowed to perform in public theatres and who inspired some of Henry Purcell’s most famous stage songs through their individual vocal and dramatic talents.
This performance also includes the premiere of a new work by composer Clare Elton on the sonnet of sixteenth century poet Louise Labé, it being the first setting of Labé’s poetry specifically composed for period instruments.
About The Portrait Players
Described in its debut concert as ‘beguiling’, The Portrait Players is an all-female trio whose programmes are inspired by historical characters.
Featuring Claire Ward (soprano), Kristiina Watt (theorbo/lute) and Miriam Nohl (cello/viola da gamba), the trio, founded in January 2023, has quickly established a busy concert schedule across the UK. In autumn 2023 the group made its debut at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in a recital hosted by City Music Foundation. Further concerts include performances at Handel Hendrix House, Brighton Early Music Festival, Amersham Festival, Surrey Hill International Music Festival, St. Pancras Clock Tower, Northumbria University, Barts’ Great Hall in the City of London, The Workshop Series Lewes, and University College Oxford, as well as collaborations with Opera Prelude in London and Henley.
In 2024, the group launched the Louise Labé Song Project, expanding its programme ‘Les Femmes Illustres – The Female Genius’, with a contemporary commissioned song cycle by composer Clare Elton. The trio are current Stoller Hall Emerging Artists, The Making Music/Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artists and feature on the Live Music Now directory. Previously The Portrait Players took part in the BREMF Live! Scheme for new ensembles 2023/2024 and have participated in the BBC Radio Three/NCEM/RCM New Generation Baroque Ensemble Development Day.
Seating for this show will be unallocated. If you have any access requirements, please do let us know at boxoffice@stollerhall.com or on 0333 130 0967 (lines open Tuesday – Thursday 1.30pm – 4pm).
