An Afternoon Gala Recital Songs of Love, Lust and Life

Cooper Hall welcome long-time friends and collaborators, Alison Buchanan (Soprano) and Eugene Asti (piano) who will present a diverse programme of English, French, German and American Art Song alongside African Songs and Spirituals.

Composers will include Henri Duparc, William Walton, John Ireland, Geoffrey Bush, Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss, Margaret Bonds, Francis Poulenc, William Bolcom, Liza Lehman, and Lee Hoiby.

Alison Buchanan

Alison is an Internationally renowned soprano who has performed extensively around the world collaborating with a host of distinguished musicians and artists, such as Andre Previn, Dame Joan Sutherland. Placido Domingo, Franco Zeffirelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Marilyn Horne, Sir Colin Davis, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Willard White, Jane Glover, Martina Arroyo, Régine Crespin and Anna Moffo to name but a few. Alison is also the Artistic Director of Pegasus Opera Company and is the only Black British female Artistic Director of an opera company in the UK.

Eugene Asti

Eugene Asti is a familiar face at Cooper Hall and is one of the most sought-after accompanists of his generation. He has performed with many great artists including Dame Felicity Lott, Dame Sarah Connolly, Sir Willard White, Sir Thomas Allen, Sir Bryn Terfel, Sophie Karthäuser, Angelika Kirchschlager and the late Dame Margaret Price. His many recordings include the complete songs of Mendelssohn, of Clara Schumann and of Mozart as well as recordings of songs by Schumann, Wolf, Fanny Mendelssohn, Debussy, Poulenc, and Eric Coates among others. Eugene Asti is a Steinway Artist.