A costumed song recital with Maryam Wocial (soprano) and Archie Bonham (piano) exploring the mysteries of self-consciousness through the writings of Virginia Woolf and other acclaimed authors.

The programme aims to convey what it means to be conscious – a quality often thought to be what differentiates humans from other living beings. A broad range of literary styles will be set to music, including poetry, prose, and diary entries. The programme is bookended by songs from Dominick Argento’s cycle ‘From the Diary of Virginia Woolf’ which explores the private writings of Virginia Woolf whose stream-of-consciousness approach is marked through swift changes in subject matter – from war to parental relationships to the recipe for tonight’s dinner! Some songs reflect on shared societal experience whilst others illustrate private mental dialogues. Throughout, there is a contrast between the public and the personal, and listeners are reminded that they can only look at consciousness from a distance and not truly understand all its mysteries. A brief voyage à France is facilitated by two songs about hotels before the singer returns home, being caught in the nostalgia of childhood memories until becoming intensely aware of the present moment.

Part of Bloomsbury Festival’s New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.