Winterreise, one of the greatest song cycles of all

Soprano Susannah Lawergren and Bradley Gilchrist will perform at the Uniting Church in Blackheath at 3pm on Sunday, October 13.

"I dreamt of flowers blossoming in May, but when the cocks crowed my eyes flew open. On the window panes, who painted leaves there? Go, laugh at the dreamer who saw flowers in winter time ..."

The action has all happened. The journey has no destination bar one - from which no one has ever returned. Memories, mirages and dreams invade the wanderer's mind, and crows and graveyards offer him strange comfort.

Lotte Lehmann recorded and performed the first female Winterreise during World War II. Christa Ludwig, Brigitte Fassbaender and Christine Schfer have all recorded versions and, late last year, Joyce di Donato made her Winterreise debut.

Winterreise for soprano is a rare event, making this a very special SongCo Solo concert series.

Lawergren said: "I am so extremely excited to be finally performing this work. The path from initial idea, over two years ago, to this performance has been rockier than I imagined, but that is probably for the best for such a mature and deeply moving work.

"I am absolutely astonished at the new vocal colours I've found, the musical discoveries I've made with a number of dear friends at the piano, the artistry of singing in German with Opera Australia language coach Tanja Binggeli, new ideas about 19th century performance practice from colleagues, and of course many discussions with Winterreise lovers from the general public - good to know it has a passionate fan club, of which I have been one since I was 10."

For information and to purchase tickets, see the.song.company/Winterreise/