While the themes of both works are macabre and dark the music is mesmerising and magnificent: this will be a spectacular staged performance of two legendary song cycles.

Mezzo-soprano Margaret Bridge and pianist Tristan Russcher perform a staged version of Mahler’s emotive and beautiful Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children), a set of five songs based around the work of the poet Rückert written after the death of two of his children.  These songs explore the feelings and processes of grief and will be performed in German.

Baritone Brendan Collins and pianist Tristan Russcher will perform Mussorgsky’s masterpiece. Songs and Dances of Death is a set of four songs: ‘Lullaby’, ‘Serenade’ ‘Trepak’ and ‘Field Marshall’, each telling a story where Death is personified, appearing to four different people on the cusp of life and death. 

Age guidance: 12+

Kindertotenlieder will be performed in German and Songs and Dances of Death will be performed in Russian with translations available for the audience.