Soprano
Lucy Crowe
Widely regarded as one of the most versatile and respected singers of her generation.
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Deal Festival: Birdsong
Friday
11
July
2025
,
7:00 pm
St George's Church, High Street, Deal, CT14 6BA
(view map)
Vivaldi Spring from Four Seasons: Allegro
Handel As When the Dove Laments Her Love
Price Little Pastorale
Trad. She’s Like the Swallow
Mozart Dove Sono from The Marriage of Figaro
Blasio Kavuma I am the sea (world premiere)
Messiaen The Lovebird of the Star from Harawi
Strauss Spring from Four Last Songs
Interval
Haydn Symphony no. 83 'The Hen'
Berg The Nightingale from Seven Early Songs
Sherwin A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Gershwin Little Jazz Bird
Gershwin Summertime
Arrangements by Harry Baker, James Ledger, and Paul Schäffer
Lucy Crowe
Soprano
Tom Fetherstonhaugh
Conductor
This event is now in the past
Birdsong has been a source of inspiration to composers for many centuries. They have quoted, imitated, and interpreted the singing of our aerial neighbours across a wide range of genres.
This summer, Fantasia Orchestra explores some of these beautiful examples of birds in music. Joined by acclaimed soprano Lucy Crowe OBE, we fly between styles, allowing Berg to perch next to Haydn, and Handel to soar side-by-side with a world premiere by Blasio Kavuma.
No birdsong programme would be complete without Messiaen, and we look forward to giving the premiere arrangement of The Lovebird of the Star by Fantasia collaborator Harry Baker.
The concert ends with luscious early twentieth century harmony from both classical and jazz worlds. Berg's The Nightingale segues into Sherwin's timeless classic of the same name, and Gershwin's Little Jazz Bird and Summertime bring the evening to a close, a perfect sentiment for the time of year.
Collaborators
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Lucy Crowe
Widely regarded as one of the most versatile and respected singers of her generation, Lucy Crowe was awarded an OBE in the 2023 King's birthday honours. With repertoire ranging from Purcell, Handel and Mozart to Donizetti’s Adina and Verdi’s Gilda, she has sung with opera companies and orchestras all over the world.
Conductor
Tom Fetherstonhaugh
Tom is Fantasia's Conductor & Artistic Director.
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Tom Fetherstonhaugh
Tom’s start in music was fortuitous, as he was lucky to be introduced to an inspiring violin teacher by his grandmother at the age of four.
At eight he became a chorister of Westminster Abbey, an experience he describes as ‘transformative’, benefitting from musical training that featured high profile occasions like singing the solo at the Royal Wedding in 2011. Tom then attended Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, a state comprehensive that champions music and the arts.
He continued with the violin, sang, played the organ, and started to explore conducting, enjoying the process of rehearsals and the ability both to make music with and to bring together large groups of people. It was in his final year at school that he saw the potential for a career in it, founding Fantasia Orchestra in 2016.
Tom now enjoys a busy career with major orchestras, including with the BBC Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. In his rare moments of downtime he enjoys running, listening to jazz, and cooking, likening the process to conducting — it being about balance, flavour, pacing and bringing people together.
Venue
St George's Church
St George's Church is at the heart of the beautiful coastal town of Deal
St George's Church, High Street, Deal, CT14 6BA