BLACK OAK ENSEMBLE perform DANCE OF THE NIGHT SKY SUNDAY, 4 MAY 2025 RAVINIA FESTIVAL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 3 pm
Grammy-nominated in various ensembles, Black Oak Ensemble are ‘a kaleidoscopic string trio that “fully inhabits the spirit of the works they are playing in the moment, with as ardent a flame as if they had written it themselves” (Fanfare). They come to Ravinia with the grand reveal of their latest laser-fine focus. “O Britannia”—also due to be released as their latest Cedille album—highlights works by living women composers in the United Kingdom, including a new piece by Shirley J. Thompson OBE, Coronation Composer, and whose track has given the CD its title: DANCE OF THE NIGHT SKY. Venue: Bennett Gordon Hall. Event Starts. 3:00 PM. Public Gates. 2 pm. Reserved Seats: $25. Sunday, May 4 2025 at 3 pm. Tickets: https://www.ravinia.org/events/detail/black-oak-ensemble
CHINEKE! perform RESTORATION SONG OF THE PROPHETS Enyi Okpara – Conductor FRIDAY, 25 APRIL 2025 QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, 7.30 pm
R.I.S.E. Chineke! Orchestra joins forces with George the Poet for a night of music, spoken word and poetry around the themes of Resilience, Identity, Strength and Equality. Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate. For tickets: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/r-i-s-e/
ALISON SMART FISHER & KATHARINE DURRAN PERFORM NEW FRENCH SONGS 2 AT CLARE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2025 AT 1.15 PM
As part of the Clare College, Cambridge Lunchtime Series, Alison Smart Fisher, Soprano and Katharine Durran, Piano will perform songs from the New French Songs 2 album, which includes my song, Le Calendrier, in the beautiful chapel of Clare College. The performance will last 45 minutes with a programme of some of the Chaminade/Tailleferre/Bracquemond songs plus the complete set of New French Song 2. Further details will be posted on the performance diary off Alison Smart Fisher –https://www.alisonsmartfisher.com/diary
MARSHALL OPERA PERFORMANCES, CELL THEATRE, 338 WEST 23RD ST, NEW YORK, US. FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2025 , 7.30 – 10 PM
In the The Marshall Opera Oral History Project each artist connects with their assigned composer through an interview, which is shared on the Marshall Opera YouTube channel. Shirley J. Thompson has been working with the soprano, Alison Saporta and you may see their interview on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pZo4fhid8s&t=17s
As part of the project, the young artists prepare and perform an aria composed by their assigned composer for this program. Alison will perform Precious Skies. The concert will last approximately 90 minutes and will be presented without an intermission. The ticket price includes a wine reception following the concert where you will have an opportunity to meet with both the composers and young artists.
‘WOMEN OF THE WINDRUSH’ OPERA, THE BARBICAN, London EC1, 7.00 pm
Thursday, 20 February 2025 at 7.00 pm – The award-winning and ingenious opera, Women of the Windrush, with concept, words, music and film by Shirley J. Thompson continues its tour across the UK at The Barbican’s, Milton Court Concert Hall, with leading soprano, Abigail Kelly and dynamic pianist, Melissa Morris.
CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA ‘FANFARE’, QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, SOUTHBANK CENTRE, London SE1 at 7.30 pm
Friday, 24 January 2025 at 7.30 pm – A celebratory new work, specially commissioned by the remarkable Chineke! Orchestra to commemorate its landmark, 10th Anniversary, by Shirley J. Thompson.
CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA‘s ‘SONG OF THE PROPHETS‘, QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, SOUTHBANK CENTRE, London SE1 at 7.30 pm
Friday, 24 January 2025 at 7.30 pm – The remarkable Chineke! Orchestra performs a moving call to action against climate change with Shirley J. Thompson‘s RESTORATION forming the 3rd Movement of the multi-movement work for orchestra.
MOMENTUM: CONCERTO FOR FOOTBALLER/S & ORCHESTRA, STATE OPERA OF HANNOVER, 30159 HANNOVER, GERMANY at 3 pm
Monday, 18 November 2024 at 3 pm – The State Opera of Hannover Orchestra perform ‘Momentum: Concerto for Footballer/s and Orchestra’ by Shirley J. Thompson to open their family concerts season, and conducted by Masaru Kumakura. The work was originally commissioned for the Women’s European Football Tournament of 2022 by the Football Association, the Arts Council of England and the National Lottery for All. Tickets are available here: https://staatstheater-hannover.de/de_DE/kalender?date_from=2024-11-14&location=alle&category=alle&q=
Sunday, 17 November 2024 at 3 pm – The State Opera of Hannover Orchestra perform ‘Momentum: Concerto for Footballer/s and Orchestra’ by Shirley J. Thompson to open their family concerts season, and conducted by Masaru Kumakura. The work was originally commissioned for the Women’s European Football Tournament of 2022 by the Football Association, the Arts Council of England and the National Lottery for All. Tickets are available here: https://staatstheater-hannover.de/de_DE/kalender?date_from=2024-11-14&location=alle&category=alle&q=
MOMENTUM: CONCERTO FOR FOOTBALLER/S & ORCHESTRA, DAVIDSON COLLEGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, North Carolina, US 28035. 7. 30 pm
THURSDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2024 – The pioneering Davidson College Symphony Orchestra perform ‘Momentum: Concerto for Footballer/s and Orchestra’ by Shirley J. Thompson as a part of their autumn concert series. The work was originally commissioned for the Women’s European Football Tournament of 2022 by the Football Association, the Arts Council of England and the National Lottery for All and performed by The Royal Philharmonic. The Brighton and Albion Football team perform in the Momentum video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxbur5k-JM4
Book tickets here: https://www.davidson.edu/events/davidson-college-symphony-orchestra-play-ball
CALENDRIER for SOPRANO & PIANO at MOFFAT DISTILLERY, Dumfriesshire, DG10 9FE 7.30 pm and at BURGH HOUSE, New End Square, Hampstead, London NW3 1LT at 7.30pm
Sunday, 22 September 2024 the multi-talented soprano, Alison Smart Fisher and pianist, Katherine Durran, perform ‘CALENDRIER’ by Shirley J. Thompson and 9 other songs from their specially commissioned FRENCH SONGS 2 series at Moffat Distillery, Dumfriesshire, DG10 9FE at 7.30pm (doors open 6.30pm). Tickets £15 including welcome drink. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-french-song-two-london-premieres-of-ten-more-new-french-songs-tickets-941598555627 and https://www.alisonsmartfisher.com/diary
Wednesday, 25 September 2024 the multi-talented soprano, Alison Smart Fisher and pianist, Katherine Durran, perform ‘CALENDRIER’ by Shirley J. Thompson and 9 other songs from their specially commissioned FRENCH SONGS 2 series at Burgh House, New End Square, Hampstead, London NW3 1LT at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). Tickets £22 from Evenbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-french-song-two-london-premieres-of-ten-more-new-french-songs-tickets-941598555627 or from https://www.alisonsmartfisher.com/diary.
DANCE OF THE NIGHT SKY for STRING TRIO by the BLACK OAK ENSEMBLE, Spertus Institute, Michigan Avenue, Chicago . 5 pm
Sunday, 8 September 2024 – The Black Oak Ensemble with virtuosos, Desiree Ruhstrat – Violin, Aurelien Fort Pederzoli – Viola, David Cunliffe – Cello, premiere the piece they commissioned from Shirley J. Thompson and entitled, ‘DANCE OF THE NIGHT SKY’ at the Cedille Records Gala. Black Oak Ensemble are praised for their ‘insightful, committed and masterful performances” (Classics Today 10/10) and “fierce eloquence)” (The Times, London). There will be a commercial recording of the work available further to the first live performance of the work. Tickets are sold out but you can view the event if you follow the link: https://www.cedillerecords.org/soiree-cedille/
