Description
A group of leading international singers recreating the spirit of the original Schubertiade.
The “Schubertiade” was as much a social occasion as a concert, created during Schubert’s lifetime by his friends, where they could gather together for special evenings to enjoy Schubert’s freshly-minted music. These events were very intimate and informal, often held at private houses, with singers gathered around the piano and songs sung with combinations of voices. It is this spirit of sociable, up-close music-making that Schubert & Co. will bring to Lamberhurst this evening. Solo and ensemble works are introduced from the stage and the audience is warmly invited to chat with the performers before and after the concert. So, very informal!
Schubert is at the heart of the repertoire with several of his best-known lieder as well as one or two others by Beethoven (who Schubert worshipped) and Rossini (who he reluctantly admired), giving some insight into the wider Viennese musical scene. In total the group will sing 26 lieder and here are one or two examples which you might like to check out .
Quell’ innocente figlio, D17ii. La Pastorella D513. Seligkeit D433. Zur guten nacht D920. Nacht und Traume D827.
The singers are absolutely top class and they’ve all sung leading roles at Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, the Proms and other major opera houses internationally. Sholto Kynoch, the Schubert & Co. founder, is at the piano with two sopranos, Harriet Burns and Katy Thompson, two mezzo-sopranos, Katie Bray and Bethan Langford, Alessandro Fisher the tenor and Frederick Long the bass-baritone. It would be difficult to find a higher class of singers.
Schubert & Co. performs up and down the country, and features regularly at the Oxford International Song Festival, where it is always a sell-out show. Closer to home, they have appeared twice at the Vinehall International Concert series, and here is some of the audience feedback from one of those concerts:
“For decades, I have I listened to Schubert’s music and read about Schubertiaden, never expecting to experience anything of the sort, and now I have! An extraordinary experience, and so well put across, what with the splendidly varied singing and Sholto’s wonderfully sensitive playing. I was bowled over.”
“This afternoon’s concert was an absolute gem; we had more ‘tingle factor’ moments than any other concert. It felt like we were peeping round the door of a musical house party.”
“Somehow it felt that we had been uplifted into a different world at a different time and given an insight into Schubert’s life and apartment and were there with him, amongst his musical friends. When Sholto Kynoch sat at the piano prior to the start of their programme and rendered some of Schubert’s more joyous and light-hearted piano compositions, it set the scene and the mood for the “party” that was to follow. And what a magnificent party it was!”
Date: Saturday May 9th 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St Mary’s Church, Lamberhurst
Tickets: £35
