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Cordes en Ciel

Cordes en Ciel

The show-stealer is soprano Héloïse Bernard who, as Juno’s servant Iris, forges riveting moments from modest material, such as ‘Thither Flora the Fair’. In this brief chaconne, Bernard drapes each stanza in increasingly gorgeous embellishments, dropping dramatically into chest register for her last verse.

BBC music magazine March 2021

Early Music

Instrumentation

  • Kristiina Watt - Lute/Theorbo/Baroque Guitar
  • Héloïse Bernard - Soprano

Repertoire

Programmes include a mix of songs and instrumental solos from 17th century Europe with a particular emphasis on repertoire from France and the British Isles performed with early plucked instruments such as the lute/theorbo and baroque guitar.

Biography

Originally from Paris, where she completed a Masters in French Literature and a curriculum in Drama, Héloïse pursued her musical education in the Netherlands, Estonia, and lastly at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

Her particular taste for early repertoire, as well as her « pure, light soprano » and

« beguiling » presence, led her to sing Dido in Dido and Aeneas by Purcell with the Young Northern Baroque ensemble in Tallinn, Estonia; Amore, in Monterverdi’s Incoronazione di Poppea with the company OrQuesta in London, and Iris in John Eccles’ Semele with the Academy of Ancient Music, conducted by Julian Perkins. She collaborates with chamber groups such as the Spinacino Consort and the Linarol consort of viols.

Also commited to singing contemporary works, she collaborates closely with composers such as Electra Perivolaris and Ryland Gleave.

A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, lutenist Kristiina Watt enjoys a busy concert schedule in the UK and abroad. As an orchestral musician, she has performed with groups such as the Academy of Ancient Music, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, The English Concert, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Ensemble. In addition to Cordes en Ciel, she collaborates regularly with violinist Sophia Prodanova and in the ensemble The Portrait Players which is featured on the Brighton Early Music Festival Live! Scheme.

In addition to live performances on BBC Radio 3 (including ‘In Tune’) and BR Klassik, Kristiina’s playing can be heard on several recent releases including a recording with ensemble Spiritato ‘17th century sonatas from the Düben collection’.

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