This concert opens with songs by Pauline Viardot, a huge influential figure from 19th-century Paris, whose music salons attracted the prominent musicians including Reynaldo Hahn and Gabriel Fauré, amongst others. We hear settings by all three composers performed by Marie-Laure Garnier and Célia Oneto Bensaid. In 1876, Viardot performed  Fauré's Chanson du Pecheur for the Societe National de la Musique which was founded by Camille Saint-Saëns. A couple decades later, Hahn performed his Néère and Cimetiere de campagne for Viardot during his visit in 1900. Fauré, who was briefly engaged to Viardot's daughter, wrote numerous works for the family including his Violin Sonata No. 1 which he dedicated to Viardot's son Paul. We are delighted to welcome back former St John's Smith Square Young Artist Mathilde Milwidsky and pianist William Howard. 

This event will last approximately one hour, without an interval.