Composer Hans Werner Henze was born one hundred years ago, yet his work remains as relevant as ever. In 1974, Voices premiered under his own direction with the London Sinfonietta. Voices is a song cycle based on political poetry from diverse sources and periods. This varied work for two voices and fifteen instrumentalists (playing around seventy instruments) is now once again on the stands of the London Sinfonietta. For this performance, Nathalie Joachim, Klein, and Karmit Fadael add new songs to Henze’s original work, giving Voices a contemporary resonance.
Haitian-American composer Nathalie Joachim advocates for social change through her music. She gives voice to the Haitian people striving for a better life. Her album Fanm d’Ayiti earned her a Grammy nomination. London-based singer-songwriter and producer/artist Klein, of Nigerian heritage, is socially and politically engaged and a master of using audio samples. Her new work is inspired by the sound of a British police siren. Finally, Karmit Fadael and Nora Fischer give voice to Gazan doctor Ezzideen Shehab. Through messages and poems, he shares with the world outside Gaza the immense suffering experienced by the population there on a daily basis. Is it time for social change? Perhaps the contemporary voices in this program offer the beginning of an answer…
Read the article Women who break barriers written by Evelien Lindeboom about female voices in Holland Festival 2026 here.
Introduction 20 June
On 20 June, Frederike Berntsen will interview composers Karmit Fadael and Nora Fischer as an introduction.
Voices was commissioned by NTR ZaterdagMatinee, Holland Festival, and London Sinfonietta; Karmit Fadael’s contribution was also made possible with support from the Friends of the Matinee.
dates
Sat June 20 2:15 PM
prices
- default from € 45
- HF Young+ from € 35,50
- CJP € 26
information
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2 hours 10 minutes
- all prices are including drink
1.40 pm, Spiegelzaal
Interviews with composers musicians and more, by Frederike Berntsen
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Nathalie Joachim, composer, performer
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London Sinfonietta, orchestra
CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU
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Klein, composer
Joyce NG
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Karmit Fadael, composer
Gregor Servais
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