Join Kristina soprano Ammattil and pianistGeorge Ireland in the Library for an evening of song, opera and spoken word at Kelmscott House.

Opera Prelude has collaborated with The William Morris Society to create the Kelmscott Series; three intimate concerts inspired by Morris’s love of beauty, nature, craftsmanship, and human connection. Blending English song, opera, and spoken word, and performed by outstanding professional artists, these programmes celebrate the power of the human voice in a setting that feels personal and shared. In the spirit of Morris’s belief in art for all, we want opera to feel open, welcoming, and something everyone can enjoy. 

Concert I – Songs of Avalon: William Morris and the Medieval Dream Songs by Purcell, Dowland, and later English composers are interwoven with Morris ’ s own poetry and prose, revealing a shared longing for beauty shaped by patience, honour, and imagination. Kristina Ammattil, soprano and George Ireland, piano

6pm Arrival, welcome drink and chance to look around the exhibition (Glass of fizz or soft drink included in the ticket price)

6.30pm-7.25pm First half of performance

Short interval

7.30pm-8pm Second Half of performance

8.30pm Close

Programme:

I. Beauty in Chivalry 

Fairest Isle – King Arthur – Henry Purcell 
If Love’s a Sweet Passion – The Fairy Queen – Henry Purcell 

Reading: William Morris – The Defence of Guenevere 
“But since I was not meek, and I was young…” 
“For love, if it be noble, must be slow…” 

Come Again, Sweet Love – John Dowland 
O, Bid Your Faithful Ariel Fly – The Tempest – Thomas Linley 
’Tis Better to Have Loved and Lost – Valerie White 
So, We’ll Go No More a-Roving – Traditional 

II. Beauty in Nature  

Greensleeves – Traditional, arr. Benjamin Britten 

Reading: William Morris – The Earthly Paradise (excerpt) 
“Forget six counties overhung with smoke…” 
“There shall be meadows, wide and fair to see…” 

A Song of London – Cyril Scott 
Lilac Time – Charles Willeby 
What Is Pink? – Charles Wood 
Hope – John Ireland 
Skylark and Nightingale – John Ireland 

Reading: William Morris – Hopes and Fears for Art 
“All good ornament is but the echo of nature, shaped by loving hands.” 

Nature Framed Thee – John Eccles 

INTERVAL 

III. Beauty in Belief  

Reading: William Morris – Hopes and Fears for Art 
“Art is the expression by man of his pleasure in labour…” 
“The aim of art is not to produce beautiful things, but to make life itself beautiful.” 

Music for a While – Oedipus – Henry Purcell 
I Attempt from Love’s Sickness – Henry Purcell 
When I Am Laid in Earth – Dido and Aeneas – Henry Purcell 

Reading: William Morris – News from Nowhere (excerpt) 
“The reward of labour is life… If the labour be lightened by beauty…” 

The Peacock – C. Hubert H. Parry 
My Heart Is Like a Singing Bird – C. Hubert H. Parry 

Reading: William Morris – Late Reflection from Art and Socialism 
“I want beauty in the common daylight, in the simplest things…” 

The Last Rose of Summer – Benjamin Britten 
Weep You No More – John Dowland 
Vos mépris chaque jour – Constant Lambert