Such a fantastic week performing at the Spitalfields Festival – heatfelt thanks to everyone who made it all happen, in particular Artistic curator André de Ridder, producer Rachel Caccia, my partner in crime harpist Anne Denholm, and  composer Josephine Stephenson for writing The Hermes Experiment such a beautiful piece!

“House of Monteverdi” with The Hermes Experiment:

“Written for the Hermes Experiment, its exacting vocal lines were delivered with considerable intensity by soprano Héloïse Werner” – Tim Ashley, The Guardian ★★★★ (full review HERE)

“Schumann Street” with harpist Anne Denholm:

“Some turn out almost as mini-operas; Héloïse Werner and harpist Anne Denholm make a raw lament of Und Wüssten’s die Blumen. (…) The only snag with Schumann Street is how soon we have to leave.” – Erica Jeal, The Guardian ★★★★★

“I was particularly struck by (…) the intensity of the young soprano Héloïse Werner (…) Schumann Street was a fascinating idea, beautifully realised.” Richard Morrison, The Times

“But every room presented something magically strange and unforgettable, illuminating the genius of Schumann and Heine.” – Rupert Christiansen The Telegraph ★★★★★

“The audience moved round the venues in random order, stumbling on experiences that were both weird and wonderful. (…) Lisa Hannigan accompanied herself on the guitar, while Héloïse Werner and harpist Anne Denholm created a quasi-operatic heartbreak scene.” – Barry Millington, Evening Standard ★★★★

“soprano Héloïse Werner, amplifying the intensity of “Und wüsstens die Blumen” to operatic proportions: while Werner spoke and sung of her anguished, torn heart, Anne Denholm’s dissected her harp in extraordinary ways, from shivering filigree, to jarring feedback, drooping bent notes and the ghostly wail of metal on strings. Werner ended with a prolonged, sobbing cry of pitches, the harp drifting to nothing.” – Helen Wallace, The Arts Desk ★★★★

 

 

 

 

 

Schumann Street – picture by James Berry.

House of Monteverdi – picture by Robin Savage.