Share the Stage: A Child of Our Time: Spotlight on Alèxe
This blog is written by Alèxe Finlay.
My journey with Tippett’s music began 40 years ago in London when I was part of the BBC Symphony Chorus. Sir Michael Tippett, along with his assistant Meirion Bowen, came to our final rehearsals before concerts to share his ideas with us.
Tippett was a tall and thin man who often called us “dear” or “darling”. He had a unique charm and seemed almost otherworldly. He had faced criticism for being a conscientious objector during World War II, but he found a way to teach in East Cleveland – specifically in Loftus and Brotton – despite the difficult living conditions, and he was accepted by the community.
We recorded one of his works with the conductor Rozhdestvensky, who was inspiring but could be a bit nerve-wracking in rehearsals. The soloists we worked with are no longer with us, but I feel fortunate to have been friends with the wonderful Helen Watts.
I’ve performed Tippett’s work, A Child of Our Time, as well as Mask of Time in London and Boston. I even have a mention in Oliver Soden’s biography of Tippett.
Now, I’m excited to perform at The Glasshouse as a guest member of Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia.
I’ve had the privilege of singing behind famous singers like Dame Sarah Connolly and Willard White before. This time, I’m here as a second alto for Share the Stage: A Child of Our Time. The Chorus and I asked many questions about the performance, and we were eager to find out more.
A Child of Our Time is a challenging work. It was composed during World War II, a time of great uncertainty and fear. As we rehearsed the third part, I thought about how Benjamin Britten might have been influenced by Tippett’s music when he wrote the Spring Symphony.
Tim, our director, is guiding us to understand the text and connect with its messages. He wants us to express Tippett’s concerns about the world. Working alongside fellow singers and musicians, I feel a strong sense of community and shared purpose. If we can grasp these ideas and perform well together, we might make a strong statement against injustice.
At this performance, I hope we can honour Tippett’s message and inspire others to think about the importance of compassion and understanding in our world today.
