ONLINE PROJECTS
Like most other artists in the UK, Ms Fontanals-Simmons was unable to perform during the global pandemic due to the COVID-19 restrictions and travel bans as well as the closure of many of the world's theatres and concert halls. However, she has been grateful for a number of online projects that have kept her going mentally, artistically and vocally during the lockdown. Please take a look at the videos below and consider buying tickets or donating to the projects where applicable, as every little really does help.
devon song festival - March 2020
Virginia Woolf | ’Between the Acts’ extract
25th March 2020
Devon Song Festival
This was going to be a reading as part of the "Swansong" concert. The words seem rather pertinent at the moment and link with the idea of how we perceive ourselves through others and how we observe the world around us, themes that permeate Virginia Woolf's writing.
25th March 2020
Devon Song Festival
This was going to be a reading as part of the "Swansong" concert. The words seem rather pertinent at the moment and link with the idea of how we perceive ourselves through others and how we observe the world around us, themes that permeate Virginia Woolf's writing.
positive note - april 2020
Britten | ’Cuckoo‘
Carolyn Sampson (soprano)
Christopher Gould (piano)
28th March 2020
Positive Note YouTube
Carolyn Sampson (soprano)
Christopher Gould (piano)
28th March 2020
Positive Note YouTube
long-distance lieder - may 2020
Wagner | ’Träume‘ from Wesendonck-Lieder
Roger Vignoles (piano)
3rd May 2020
Roger Vignoles YouTube
This was a gift to the Fundacion Juan March as we were unable to go and perform due to travel restrictions. We are excited to be returning on 21st and 22nd March 2021.
Roger Vignoles (piano)
3rd May 2020
Roger Vignoles YouTube
This was a gift to the Fundacion Juan March as we were unable to go and perform due to travel restrictions. We are excited to be returning on 21st and 22nd March 2021.
glyndebourne opera - june 2020
Jonathan Dove | ’Applause 2020‘
May 2020
Roger Vignoles YouTube
'Applause 2020' by Jonathan Dove is performed by Glyndebourne artists from around the world in gratitude for the NHS and all key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for all you are doing to help us stay safe. This short piece was shown before each Glyndebourne Open House live-streamed opera throughout the lockdown.
May 2020
Roger Vignoles YouTube
'Applause 2020' by Jonathan Dove is performed by Glyndebourne artists from around the world in gratitude for the NHS and all key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for all you are doing to help us stay safe. This short piece was shown before each Glyndebourne Open House live-streamed opera throughout the lockdown.
Positive note - OCTOBER 2020
Pay to stream online concert series
Throughout October 2020
'The Dance Continues'
Mahler | ’Ich atmet einen lindenduft‘ extract from Ruckert-Lieder
Sholto Kynoch (piano)
Recorded live at Radley College, 28th July 2020
Postive Note Autumn Sessions
A glimpse of 'The Dance Continues' concert, which will be accessible via pay-to-stream basis in October 2020. The Autumn Sessions is an online festival of classical music films, sharing the precious moments of performers coming together again for the first time in 6 months
PLEASE DONATE
Throughout October 2020
'The Dance Continues'
Mahler | ’Ich atmet einen lindenduft‘ extract from Ruckert-Lieder
Sholto Kynoch (piano)
Recorded live at Radley College, 28th July 2020
Postive Note Autumn Sessions
A glimpse of 'The Dance Continues' concert, which will be accessible via pay-to-stream basis in October 2020. The Autumn Sessions is an online festival of classical music films, sharing the precious moments of performers coming together again for the first time in 6 months
PLEASE DONATE
notes from isolation - OCTober 2020
Charity project
9th October 2020
'Lullaby' from Notes from Isolation
New commission by writing duo:
Laura Attridge (librettist)
Lewis Murphy (composer)
Dylan Perez (piano)
Murphy & Attridge
HomeStart East Sussex
'Notes From Isolation’ is a unique charitable song project celebrating the humanity of performers in lockdown. Earlier in the summer I, along with 7 other singers, had the privilege of being interviewed by the writing duo about my experiences of lockdown. Each song is written not only to honour the individual artistry of its performer/s, but also to amplify the unique human/s behind the song.
9th October 2020
'Lullaby' from Notes from Isolation
New commission by writing duo:
Laura Attridge (librettist)
Lewis Murphy (composer)
Dylan Perez (piano)
Murphy & Attridge
HomeStart East Sussex
'Notes From Isolation’ is a unique charitable song project celebrating the humanity of performers in lockdown. Earlier in the summer I, along with 7 other singers, had the privilege of being interviewed by the writing duo about my experiences of lockdown. Each song is written not only to honour the individual artistry of its performer/s, but also to amplify the unique human/s behind the song.
oxford lieder festival - OCTOBER 2020
Live Online Concert Series
16th October 2020, 3pm
'Solace in Nature'
Songs by Schumann, Gurney & Argento
Kate Kennedy (speaker)
Chris Thorogood (speaker)
Lana Bode (piano)
Recorded live at Balliol College, Oxford, 16th Sept 2020
Oxford Lieder Festival
In collaboration with the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum and Oxford Department of Psychiatry, three fascinating speakers discuss nature, mental health, wellbeing and music, with particular reference to the poet and composer Ivor Gurney. The event will be filmed in the magical surroundings of Harcourt Arboretum and will explore how various landscapes and flora were important to Gurney and other composers.
PLEASE BUY TICKETS
16th October 2020, 3pm
'Solace in Nature'
Songs by Schumann, Gurney & Argento
Kate Kennedy (speaker)
Chris Thorogood (speaker)
Lana Bode (piano)
Recorded live at Balliol College, Oxford, 16th Sept 2020
Oxford Lieder Festival
In collaboration with the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum and Oxford Department of Psychiatry, three fascinating speakers discuss nature, mental health, wellbeing and music, with particular reference to the poet and composer Ivor Gurney. The event will be filmed in the magical surroundings of Harcourt Arboretum and will explore how various landscapes and flora were important to Gurney and other composers.
PLEASE BUY TICKETS
Virtual opera - NOVEMBER 2020
Virtual Opera online performance
'L'Enfant et les Sortileges' by Ravel
November 2020
L'Ecureuil / The Squirrel
Rachael Hewer (director)
Lee Reynolds (conductor)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded from home 12th Sept 2020
VOpera
A note from the director: 'I am very concerned about how the pandemic is affecting us as performers and creators, with no shows to be involved in. So I'm going to make a show for the benefit of our mental health, happiness, energy levels and overall wellbeing.'
PLEASE DONATE
'L'Enfant et les Sortileges' by Ravel
November 2020
L'Ecureuil / The Squirrel
Rachael Hewer (director)
Lee Reynolds (conductor)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded from home 12th Sept 2020
VOpera
A note from the director: 'I am very concerned about how the pandemic is affecting us as performers and creators, with no shows to be involved in. So I'm going to make a show for the benefit of our mental health, happiness, energy levels and overall wellbeing.'
PLEASE DONATE
POSITIVE NOTE - APRIL 2021
Free online oratorio mass
Throughout April 2021
'Breaking the Silence' Bach: B Minor Mass
Sophie Bevan (soprano)
ary Bevan (soprano)
Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo soprano)
William Purefoy (counter tenor)
Nick Pritchard (tenor)
Daniel Norman (tenor)
Brindley Sherratt (bass)
Stephan Loges (bass baritone)
The Oxford Soloists
Tom Hammond-Davies (Conductor)
Recorded live at Baliol College Oxford, March 2021
Positive Note Autumn Sessions
'In a time when people of faith have been deprived of sung mass, places of worship have been largely silent and musicians have suffered greatly from being unable to perform, we invite you to join some of the country’s leading choirs, soloists and orchestral players as they bring music, liturgy and buildings back to life through Bach’s stunning B Minor Mass, performed as a series of virtual concerts during Eastertide.'
Throughout April 2021
'Breaking the Silence' Bach: B Minor Mass
Sophie Bevan (soprano)
ary Bevan (soprano)
Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo soprano)
William Purefoy (counter tenor)
Nick Pritchard (tenor)
Daniel Norman (tenor)
Brindley Sherratt (bass)
Stephan Loges (bass baritone)
The Oxford Soloists
Tom Hammond-Davies (Conductor)
Recorded live at Baliol College Oxford, March 2021
Positive Note Autumn Sessions
'In a time when people of faith have been deprived of sung mass, places of worship have been largely silent and musicians have suffered greatly from being unable to perform, we invite you to join some of the country’s leading choirs, soloists and orchestral players as they bring music, liturgy and buildings back to life through Bach’s stunning B Minor Mass, performed as a series of virtual concerts during Eastertide.'
For more videos please visit Marta’s YouTube page.
© Marta Fontanals-Simmons 2020, all rights reserved
