The passionate story of Fryderyk Chopin and George Sand in music and words by Susan Porrett.
Performed by Viv McLean (piano) and Susan Porrett (narrator) and interwoven with some of Chopin’s loveliest piano works, Divine Fire traces the relationship of Fryderyk Chopin and the authoress George Sand from their first meeting in Paris in 1836 until their parting in 1849.
The story unfolds through a compelling, dramatic narration of events by the RSC, National Theatre and TV actress Susan Porrett. Mood-evoking piano pieces are interspersed with the narration as the great Chopin interpreter Viv McLean plays fiery scherzos, heart-rending ballades and stirring Polonaises.
“An absorbing, moving and beautifully presented evening of words and music.”
Viv McLean
Piano
Viv McLean
“Exceptional… musical maturity and extraordinary sonority” (Le Monde)
Viv McLean won First Prize at the 2002 Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona and has performed in all the major venues in the UK, as well as throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA. He has performed concertos with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and the Halle Orchestra. As a keen chamber musician he has collaborated with many groups including the Leopold String Trio and the Sacconi String Quartet as well as artists such as Natalie Clein, Daniel Hope, Guy Johnston and Lawrence Power. Viv has recorded regularly for BBC Radio 3 as well as for radio in Germany, France, Australia, Norway and Poland.
Susan Porrett
Narrator
The RSC, Royal Court and National Theatre actress
Susan’s last stage appearance was at Shakespeare’s Globe in John Dove’s production of The Heresy of Love in summer 2015. Before that she worked for the acclaimed theatre and opera director Richard Jones in Brecht’s The Good Soul of Szechuan at the Young Vic. Apart from a theatrical career including seasons with the RSC and the National Theatre she has a long list of TV and film credits including Upstairs, Downstairs, Poirot, Foyle’s War, Absolute Hell (with Judi Dench) and Alan Bennett’s A Private Function. At Christmas 2014 she was seen as Withers in the BBC’s major TV series Mapp and Lucia.
Next performance
Specifications
- Full Length: 95 minutes plus interval
- Lunchtime/Coffee Concert : 50 minutes
- Optional free post-concert talk/Q&A (30 minutes)
- Minimal set with chair for narrator
- No mics needed
- Standard theatre lighting
- Optional screen and projector for projected images
- Tuned grand piano
Enquiries
Yvonne Evans
07889 399862
sevenstarconcerts@hotmail.com