Schubertreise IV, Dublin

Informal dress... but the leather jacket proved far too warm in performance.

Dublin

The second Schubertreise series began in Dublin in 2012.

Schubertreise Jodoigne

The most recent of the three series of Schubertreise, begun in October 2013.

Jodoigne, Schubertreise II

The series in Jodoigne uses period instruments supplied and restored by Claude Kelecom.

Jodoigne

I make a point of introducing each group of songs before performing them. Tricky in French.

Schubertreise X, Bever

Schubertreise XII, Bever

Most of the photos in this gallery were taken by Myriam Sosson. My grateful thanks!

Schubertreise XII

Schubertreise XII

Schubertreise XII, Bever

Eine altschottische Ballade

There are two versions of this song, a rather dull solo and an altogether more interesting duet setting. This is the performance of the latter in Bever, with Belgian mezzo Marine Fornasari. A grisly tale of patricide with a complicit mother.

Eine altschottische Ballade (2)

It's not all work...

Goudhurst, Kent, a lovely part of the world.

Publicity National Concert Hall

Lieder recitals should be weekly events...

Dublin

Rosario, Bever ©Rosario

Birthplace of Schubertreise

Rosario ©Rosario

Kapel, Rosario, Bever ©Rosario

The ideal performing space.

Schubertreise VIII, Bever

Rosario

Top-and-tail, Bever

With Michel Stas and Marine Fornasari (mezzo) who kindly turns pages for all our recitals.

Bever, before the performance

With Michel Stas, Sabien Van Dale (musicologist). Sabien gives an in-depth lecture on the programme before each recital in Bever.

Logo for Schubertreise ©Rosario

Designed by Belgian calligrapher Frank Missant.

Ma propre voie

Book commissioned by Rabobank for its wealthy clients in Belgium. Thirty Belgians (sic) with a vision were asked to contribute, including yours truly.

Ma propre voie (2)

Ma propre voie (3)

Dublin

Good houses in general — the home crowd.

Fine-tuning, Dublin

Schubertreise IX, Bever

Top-and-tail before the performance. The one part of giving a recital that makes me nervous.

Bever

Michel Stas (Bever)

Jodoigne

Chapelle Notre-Dame du Marché, a (partially) deconsecrated baroque church in this picturesque small town in Walloon Brabant. Piano attributed to Schantz, restored by Claud Kelecom.

Dublin

Schubertreise V

Dublin

Make sure those pages are in order...

Michel Stas

Dublin

Suit donated by an anonymous admirer following a performance several years ago.

Dublin, top-and-tail

Dublin, Kevin Barry Room

Kevin Barry Room, National Concert Hall, Dublin. An interim solution to the problem of Dublin having no adequate recital space. Agreeable to sing in, though not sound-proofed. Currently being refurbished and due to reopen in time for the 1916 centenary celebrations.

Dublin

Keep the aspidistras flying.

Dublin

Michel Stas. Always calm under fire.

Schubertreise XI, Bever

Bever, Erard 1893 tuned to non-equal temperament and roughly a quarter tone down. Bliss... Sadly, the piano was sold recently, and performances in Bever take place on an Ibach, a solid piece of post-Bismarckian workmanship.

The road goes ever on.

Near Incourt, Brabant wallon, Belgium

Das Wandern

Cover for PenZine magazine, June 201

Photo montage by Jente Boone ©Jente Boone

Dublin Bay

Conor Biggs portrait

©Paul MacCarthy

After the recital, Dalkey

After the recital, Bever