Britten Sinfonia and Sir Mark Elder joined forces with Pagrav Dance Company, fusing classical Indian Kathak dance styles with contemporary storytelling to bring to life Holst’s chamber opera Savitri.
Britten Sinfonia
Pagrav Dance Company
Sir Mark Elder conductor
"Britten Sinfonia and Britten Sinfonia Voices joined forces with Pagrav Dance Company to perform this short rarity, conducted by Mark Elder. Three kathak dancers moved in elegant arabesques around the outstanding vocal soloists, Kathryn Rudge, Anthony Gregory and Ross Ramgobin."
**** The Guardian
"A stirring Kathryn Rudge"
**** The Times
"Mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge vocally splendid as Satyavān’s wife Sāvitri, begs for his life with a moving (and clever) plea, and Death is defeated."
**** Bach Track
"The singing from Kathryn Rudge (the wife, Savitri), Anthony Gregory (her husband, Satyavan) and Ross Ramgoblin (Death) was sublime."
British Music Society
"Kathryn Rudge sang Sāvitri with warmth and beauty, and Anthony Gregory and Ross Ramgobin gave her strong support as the husband and Death."
Performers
Britten Sinfonia
Pagrav Dance Company
Sir Mark Elder conductor
Jacqueline Shave leader/violin
Kathryn Rudge mezzo-soprano/Sāvitri
Anthony Gregory tenor/Satyavan
Ross Ramgobin baritone/Death
Kuljit Bhamra tabla
John Parricelli guitar
Urja Desai Thakore choreographer
Britten Sinfonia Voices
Programme:
Grace Williams Sea Sketches
Benjamin Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Gustav Holst Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda
Gustav Holst Savitri