Serenade for a Summer Evening

Please note: This event takes place at St John the Baptist Church, Winchester

Serenade for a Summer Evening presents a delightful hour or so of songs for guitar and soprano performed by Katie Gilbert and Mark Eden in aid of the Friends of St John the Baptist’s in Winchester.

Featuring songs by John Dowland in honour of the 400th anniversary of his death: originally for lute and voice, these miniature gems showcase affecting Elizabethan bittersweet sentiment plus songs by Franz Schubert – much of his prolific output suits the guitar very well, going perfectly with his exquisitely tuneful melodies. Manuel De Falla brings us further south on the European tour, his Siete Canciones Populares Españolas or Seven Popular Spanish Songs reflecting the different styles of different Spanish regions, finishing with some lively flamenco! The evening will full circle back to the UK with a selection of folk songs, which the versatile combination of guitar and voice is well adapted to - including a nod to Katie’s Geordie heritage. 

Katie Gilbert is a local soprano and singing teacher, and a graduate of both Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the University of Oxford. Originally from the North East, she moved from London to Winchester three years ago with her young family. Currently she teaches singing at Winchester College, and has performed in concerts and recitals across the country. Katie also enjoys leading local community singing groups and helping others to flourish musically. 

Mark Eden is a highly accomplished classical guitarist and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. He has performed with other acclaimed artists in this country and world wide.  He features in many recordings on various record labels including the celebrated rated British composer, the late Stephen Dodgson. He currently teaches classical guitar at The Royal Birmingham  Conservatoire and at Winchester College as well as being a coordinator and tutor/performer at the annual Ammerdown Guitar Festival in Somerset.