36. Songs of the Stars: Lotte Betts-Dean & Sean Shibe
16 October 2020, 22:00 - 23:00
Concert
This event will be broadcast from The Radcliffe Observatory

A magical combination of music and artists in a stunning setting!
The Australian mezzo Lotte Betts-Dean enjoys a busy career in both the UK and Australia, is a former Oxford Lieder Young Artist, and has been described in Limelight Magazine as being ‘powerful and lyrical, exhibiting a masterly control of both vocal range and colour.’ She is joined by Scottish guitarist Sean Shibe, winner of a 2019 Gramophone Award, whose playing was described by The Times as ‘astonishing and adventurous… masterful, beautiful and convincing in every way.’
We are extremely grateful to Green Templeton College for allowing us access to the Radcliffe Observatory, which was the astronomical observatory of the University of Oxford from 1773 until 1934. In this amazing space, we also become star gazers as Lotte and Sean perform songs of the night and the stars by Dowland, Schubert, Britten, Mompou, de Falla, Debussy and Seiber.
This concert will be streamed completely live from the Radcliffe Observatory. Shortly afterwards, it will also be available to watch again (using the same ticket and link) until 1 November 2020. Click here for further information on how tickets will work this year.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
Programme
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John Dowland (1562 - 1626)
Praeludium - Sleep, wayward thoughts
- In darkness let me dwell
- Away with these self-loving lads
- Come, heavy Sleep
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Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)
The Second Lute Song of the Earl of Essex (from Gloriana) - Bonny at Morn (from 'Folk Songs' - Volume 6)
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Cecil Sharp (1859 - 1924)
Sweet Nightingale -
Federico Mompou (1893 - 1987)
Coral (from Suite Compostelana) -
Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)
Die Nacht (D. deest) -
Franz Schubert, arr. Hoppstock
An den Mond (D259) -
Franz Schubert, arr. Diabelli
Nacht und Träume (D827) -
Federico Mompou (1893 - 1987)
Cuna (from Suite Compostelana) -
Paurillo Barroso, arr. Almeida (1894 - 1968)
Para Ninar -
Manuel de Falla (1876 - 1946)
Nana from Siete canciones populares Españolas - Homenaje - ‘Le tombeau de Debussy’
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Claude Debussy, arr. Hoppstock
Les Angélus (L76) - Romance: 'L’âme evaporée est souffrante' (L79 no.1)
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Mátyás Seiber (1905 - 1960)
Réveillez-vous from Four French Folk Songs

Lotte Betts-Dean
Lotte Betts-Dean
Mezzo-soprano
Praised by The Guardian for her “irrepressible sense of drama and unmissable, urgent musicality”, Australian mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean’s wide ranging repertoire encompasses opera, oratorio, contemporary music, art song, chamber music and early music. A versatile concert artist performing predominantly in Australia and in the UK, recent highlights include her debut with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Sir Andrew Davis (Stravinsky Perséphone), performances at Buxton International Festival, St John’s Smith S... Read Full Biography
Sean Shibe
Sean Shibe
Guitarist
One of the foremost guitarists of his generation, Sean Shibe brings a fresh and innovative approach to the traditional classical guitar by experimenting with instruments and repertoire. The first guitarist to be selected for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme, and to be awarded a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, he was selected for representation by the Young Classical Artists Trust artist between 2015-2017. In 2018, Sean Shibe became the first guitarist to receive the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Young Artists; in 20... Read Full BiographyFestival Passes
This event is part of a series:
Connections Across Time - A Brief History of Song
Over a packed eight days, world-class artists including Benjamin Appl, Ian Bostridge, Sarah Connolly and Roderick Williams will present some 40 concerts and events, from venues across Oxford and completely live. From the comfort of your own home, you will be able to enjoy these concerts live-streamed in the highest quality. We’ll be exploring every possible advantage of this temporary ...