Winterreise is a collection of 24 songs on an epic scale. It tells the story of a young man’s journey through ice and snow as he recalls his true love - his sweetheart who has rejected him. The cycle starts with the young hero silently leaving her house; as he shuts the gate behind him his loss becomes all too apparent: the journey has begun! He quits the town not knowing where his legs will carry him, but certain that his soul is in pieces. Where will this journey take him?
Schubert’s enduring cycle contains some of his most simple and earth-shatteringly beautiful music set to Wilhelm Müller’s poignant poetry.
Alexander Wallis an emerging young artist, in the possession of a full-lyric tenor. He started singing as a chorister at Westminster Abbey, and was the first recipient of the Sir David Willcocks medal. Having won a music scholarship to Uppingham School, Alexander furthered his studies at the RNCM at undergraduate and postgraduate level, which he completed with distinction in summer, 2007. He studied there with Peter Alexander Wilson, and is currently working with Arwel Treharne Morgan. His postgraduate studies were generously supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust.
Alexander has performed extensively at home and abroad with many distinguished companies, including The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and English National Opera. Most recently Alexander played An Apprentice at The Royal Opera in Graham Vick’s celebrated revival of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano. Key roles include Rodolfo, Cassio, Lensky, Tamino and Fenton.
Alexander also appears regularly as a soloist with some of the UK’s finest ensembles and choral societies. Concert highlights include Handel’s Messiah at Westminster Abbey, Mozart’s Requiem at The Sage, Gateshead, and Die Rosenkavalier (Ein Lakai) at the Bridgewater Hall under Sir Mark Elder.
Future plans include his Winterreise debut at Kings Place in April 2012 with pianist, Jamie Thompson.
Jamie Thompson started learning the piano at the late age of fifteen. After three years of playing he received the Olive Marsh scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music where he has now graduated with first class honours (BMus) and distinction (MMus). Under the wing and tutelage of David Jones, Jamie continues to further his studies at the RNCM as the new Junior Fellow in vocal accompaniment.
As a versatile musician who enjoys a fruitful musical life he is equally at home whether composing, arranging, improvising, teaching, writing or performing. As an enthusiastic collaborator, chamber musician and accompanist Jamie has enjoyed much success as winner of many competitions, both at the RNCM and externally. Recent performances with singers have included Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine in the Purcell Room, Britten’s Canticles in the Bridgewater Hall and Bolcom’s Cabaret Songs in the Albert Hall, all met with excellent review.