Singer

When Sir James MacMillan writes a new choral work, the world takes notice, because few living composers write with more honesty and passion. With a span of around an hour, Angels Unawares is a major new statement from MacMillan coupled with a brilliant libretto written by Robert Willis, former Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, completed shortly before his untimely death in autumn 2024. Who better to give the work’s UK premiere than The Sixteen and the Britten Sinfonia, both tireless champions of MacMillan’s work?

Angels Unawares is commissioned and supported by the Genesis Foundation for Harry Christophers and The Sixteen.

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Angels Unawares: London

Cadogan Hall 

RCS regular Malcolm Martineau returns with the first in a series of three concerts featuring RCS alumni. This afternoon, tenor Matthew McKinney joins him for Finding Freedom, featuring music by Clara and Robert Schumann, Britten, Bridge, and Weir, interwoven with poetry by Breytenbach, Tagore, and Auden.

Fridays at One: Malcolm Martineau & Matthew McKinney

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Judith Weir’s Blond Eckbert is a haunting tale of isolation and guilt, based on a supernatural short story by the Romantic author Ludwig Tieck and presented in a new co-production with Britten Pears Arts. Eckbert and Berthe live a life of quiet solitude in their forest home but an unexpected visit from an old friend sets in motion a series of revelations and mysteries.

Blond Eckbert: Double Bill

Buxton Opera House

University of Exeter

Hackney Empire

Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts

Saffron Hall

Snape Maltings

Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love bursts to life at a village fair, where a fast‑talking elixir seller, a self‑styled charmer, and two stubborn hearts set off romance, rivalry, and irresistible community spirit under lanterns and bunting.

Tenor

Matthew McKinney

Events

Upcoming events

7 - 13 Aug, 2026

The Elixir of Love · Waterperry Opera Festival

Past events

Jun 2, 2026

Angels Unawares: London · The Sixteen

Nov 14, 2025

Fridays at One: Malcolm Martineau & Matthew McKinney · Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Future and recently performed repertoire

Singer in Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Williams

The Sixteen

Nemorino in The Elixir of Love by Donizetti

Waterperry Opera Festival

Singer in Nothing in Vain by MacMillan

The Sixteen

Singer in Why Fum’th in Fight by Tallis

The Sixteen

Singer in Angels Unawares by MacMillan

The Sixteen

About

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