Bloomsbury Festival:
Double Bill – Soraya Verjee and No More Girl Friday

DOUBLE BILL:

Part 1: Soraya Verjee

Championing undiscovered classical composers of our past, classical pianist Soraya Verjee opens the evening with a spotlight on female and underrepresented musical figures once forgotten.

PROGRAMME:

Doreen Carwithen | Four Preludes, No.2: Molto adagio
Alice Mary Smith | 6 Short Pieces for Piano, No.5
Rebecca Clarke | Cortège
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor | Deep River
Ethel Smyth | Variations on an Original theme in D-flat major (of Exceedingly Dismal Nature)

Soraya Verjee • piano

Part 2: No More Girl Friday: EMPOWER: Women Changing Music

Chamber music exploring light, space and transformation, showcasing undervalued music and world premieres by Francesca Le Lohé and Emily Pedersen, supported by the Marchus Trust.

The programme features works by composers Louise Farrenc, Judith Weir, and Meredith Monk, and more. Spanning contemporary solo works, miniatures, and interdisciplinary collaboration with film, the concert showcases the breadth, creativity, and innovation of women’s music.

Performed by a mixed ensemble of leading emerging musicians, the evening culminates in a complete performance of Louise Farrenc’s celebrated Sextet for Piano and Winds, a landmark chamber work by one of the nineteenth century’s most significant composers.

Founded to champion gender equity within classical and contemporary music, EMPOWER creates opportunities for women composers and performers while engaging audiences with diverse and underrepresented repertoire. Through ambitious programming, commissioning, and advocacy work, the organisation is committed to creating a future where there is no boundary in who is seen, heard or celebrated within classical music.

PROGRAMME:

Judith Weir | Airs from Another Planet
Pernille Faye | Embers
Emily Pedersen | Coastlines (World premiere)
Francesca Le Lohé | No More Girl Friday (World premiere)
Samantha Fernando | Kinesphere
Louise Farrenc | Sextet in C Minor, Op. 40

Sinéad Walsh • flute
Hannah Shimwell • clarinet
Hannah Seymour • oboe
Niamh Rodgers • French horn
Jamie King • bassoon
Dida Condria • piano
 

This event is part of Bloomsbury Festival 2026.

Age Recommendation:

All ages. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Price:

*A £2 venue levy is applied to each ticket purchased. This levy helps to support us in covering the costs of keeping our grade II listed building running and our doors open.*

Supporter £20 • Standard £12 • Living Support £6 • Student £6     (+ £2 venue levy)

Access Information:

This event is in the Main Hall, which is located on the ground floor. The balcony is accessible only by stairs.

All the ground-floor rooms are accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.