Sat 8 Aug 2009
Cabaret Fou was formed by composer Robert Fokkens and soprano Sarah Dacey under the name “Pulse” in 2006 to explore contemporary song with roots in the European cabaret tradition of the likes of Satie, Weill and Eisler.
Amongst their first performances have been gigs at Lauderdale House, Peterhouse Cambridge, The Little Proms and Tête à Tête Opera Festival 2007 at the Riverside Studios. Musical Review website Classical Source described their work as ‘colourful, challenging and witty’.
Synopsis
Tonight, Cabaret Fou explores recent, edgy songs from 21st century Britain alongside new arrangements of Schoenberg and Eisler songs. We perform a hugely exciting range of songs by Laurence Crane, Geoff Hannan, Roger Marsh, Graham Fitkin, David Blake, Robert Fokkens and Kerry Andrew. Feel entertainingly uncomfortable with songs that are rude, lewd, disturbingly beautiful, provocative, sinister, hilarious, politically twisted, melancholic and definitely sadistic.
Sarah Dacey (soprano): Sarah studied at the University of York and the Royal Academy of Music and studies with Alison Pearce. Sarah is a member of Juice, a female trio specialising in contemporary music. They perform both a cappella and with electronics, and recently made their Wigmore Hall debut to critical acclaim. They have been broadcast on BBC Radio, Resonance FM and Classic FM.
Rob Fokkens (Compère): With regular performances by top performers at venues in the UK, South Africa and around the world, Robert Fokkens is one of the most successful South African composers of his generation. He also occasionally appears as a “histrionic” (The Times) narrator, Compère and singer. “I loved…Words…surreal…hilarious…” The Times
Matt Dibble (clarinet): Matt Dibble plays the clarinet, piano, sax and sings. He performs in various groups including Cabaret Fou and DOLLYman. He has also composed and produced music ranging from his solo albums, available to download from iTunes, to instrumental works including the Piano Sonata and Four Pieces for Piano.
Alice Dixon (cello): Alice accrued a large range of influences from Chetham’s and Purcell Music Schools and both the RCM and GSMD where, last year, she graduated as a Master under the tutelage of Leonid Gorokhov. Alice is a keen chamber musician, performing with various ensembles. She also willingly involves herself with various independent outreach and contemporary music projects.
Belinda Jones (piano): Educated at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, Belinda is a prize- winning pianist, performing at venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Bridgewater Hall. Keen on contemporary music and song accompaniment, Belinda has recently won a full scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music with Simoepper and Roger Vignoles.