WELSH bass Arwel Huw Morgan will give an afternoon concert of Paul Robeson songs in St Michael’s Church, Alcombe, next Sunday (September 17) in support of the work of Amnesty International.
‘In Search of Ol’ Man River’ features some of Robeson’s best known songs interspersed with a short account of great Afro-American bass singer’s life.
Arwel, who will be accompanied on the piano by Keith Jones, has sung principal roles with the English and Welsh National Opera Companies, performed in operas in Europe and further afield.
He created this lecture-recital about Paul Robeson out of enjoyment of the music and respect for the singer: “He did so much for civil rights, sacrificing career opportunities for his principles.”
The programme will include well-known Negro spirituals such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, arias including Gershwin’s Summertime and the Russian Volga Boatmen folk song.
Tea and cakes will be served in the interval and the whole event is a fund-raiser organised by the local Amnesty Group for the organisation’s world-wide human rights campaigning.
The concert starts at 3pm. Tickets are £8, free for under 12s, on the door or in advance from Amnesty members.