Music Afternoon with Los Ladrones

'A Princess of Kensington' (1903) and 'Merrie England' (1902) By Basil Hood & Edward German

Presented in concert version by Los Ladrones, a local vocal quintet, and Nigel Smith, piano, together with two more songs by Edward German

Edward German lived in Maida Vale near Lord’s Cricket Ground and loved to watch the cricket.

After Sullivan’s death in 1900, he was chosen by D’Oyly Carte to complete ‘The Emerald Isle’.

Two years later, again working with Basil Hood, he wrote ‘Merrie England’, followed by ‘A Princess of Kensington’ the following year.

Set in the time of Elizabeth the First, during The May Day Festival, ‘Merrie England’ was a great success and is full of great tunes, such as ‘The Yeomen of England’ and ‘The English Rose’.

‘A Princess of Kensington’ includes a quartet for four sailors and a magnificent finale.

Los Ladrones programme of concert version extracts also includes the well-known, ‘Glorious Devon’ and ‘Dream O’Day Jill’ from ‘Tom Jones’ of 1907.

Los Ladrones Vocal Quintet

Established 2013

The Los Ladrones singers are experienced amateurs in the local operatic field

Jane Marett, soprano; Irene Cooksey, mezzo; Simon Cooksey, tenor; John Butt, baritone;

Michael Powell, bass baritone

with Nigel Smith as accompanist

Geoffrey Porter has been Musical Director for several local operatic societies and both Solent Male Voice Choir and Hampshire Police Male Voice Choir.