Strand International Song Series - Susan Parkes

International opera stars return for an exciting second season of London's newest classical song series, held in the intimate space of “The Jewel in the Strand”, St Mary le Strand. These six recitals, curated by soprano Susan Parkes, will cover a broad spectrum of composers and feature some of the most talented singers and accompanying artists performing today.

This programme brings together three cornerstone works of the 19th-century repertoire, each offering a distinct sound world. Spohr’s 6 Deutsche Lieder, Op. 103, written for the rare combination of soprano, clarinet, and piano, blend Romantic lyricism with vivid instrumental colour, creating intimate musical dialogues between all three performers. Schubert’s radiant Shepherd on a Rock, D965—one of his final compositions—unfolds as a luminous meditation on longing and renewal, allowing the clarinet and voice to intertwine in soaring, expressive lines. Brahms’s 2 Lieder, Op. 91, originally conceived with viola but often performed in clarinet transcription, envelop the listener in warm harmonic richness, offering moments of both tenderness and spiritual depth.