Julius Drake and tenor Ian Bostridge will celebrate 25 years of artistic collaboration with a sold-out recital at London’s Middle Temple Hall on 29 November. The two will be joined by the Piatti String Quartet for a programme including Purcell’s The Queen’s Epicedium, Vaughan Williams’ On Wenlock Edge and the Holy Sonnets of John Donne by Benjamin Britten. The BBC will record the performance for broadcast at a later date.
Drake and Bostridge were introduced to each other in 1992 by concert promoter Heinz Liebrecht for a performance of On Wenlock Edge at Norfolk’s Holkham Hall. The two became firm friends and marked the beginning of an acclaimed partnership in both concert and on numerous recordings.
Julius said: “My partnership with Ian Bostridge has been one of the most rewarding, challenging and fulfilling experiences of my musical life. I will always be grateful to the inspired promoter, Heinz Liebrecht, for introducing us and initiating that first concert.”
Ian adds: “Working with Julius Drake has been one of the great joys and inspirations of my life. Here’s to another quarter century!”
The concert is sold out, but there is a waiting list for returns. For more information, please visit templemusic.org.