iSound

Why Calliope?

I was researching the celebrated alto castrato Senesino when I found Calliope. As I slowly thumbed it’s decorated eighteenth century pages I realised that I had in my hands a real treasure, something I was meant to find. I was born in the City of London into a family of mixed Scots, Welsh and English heritage. I grew up knowing the Messiah by heart, singing English and Scots folksongs in school and, like every child of my age, playing the recorder. I studied the recorder to diploma level by age of twelve and at 18 entered the Guildhall School of Music with viola and recorder as a joint principal study. Though I later became a singer my love of baroque music stayed with me as a core part of my professional life. Calliope is full of songs that touch every part who I am, a British singer and musician.

Calliope shows a broad and entertaining picture of London of the 18th century. It is a historical document reflecting the society for which it was co...