On 1 May, 2025, Rachel Payne and Jack Tyndale will perform Echoes Across the Atlantic: A Tale of Two Worlds at central London arts venue, Kings Place

Duo Atlantis explore British, American and European art songs, a variety of works that capture the essence of the human experience and resonate deeply in our collective consciousness. Themes of love, beauty and nature are explored in this evocative musical journey across continents, showing how we unite through shared experiences and vulnerability.

Mezzo-Soprano Rachel Payne and Pianist Jack Tyndale form Duo Atlantis, a dynamic partnership born of their combined love of classical music respective backgrounds playing, performing and studying music in Europe and the US. They have performed together in Edinburgh, London, Florence, Vienna and Salzburg to much acclaim.

Echoes Across the Atlantic begins in Britain, where Elgar and Vaughan Williams shaped the 20th-century English tradition. Benjamin Britten adds to this legacy with a distinctive voice that is in great contrast to his predecessors, deeply rooted in the English song tradition. The musical voyage then continues to the US, where Barber, Bolcom and Copland blend these European influences with innovative ideas. A retrospective on European Romanticism concludes the concert, featuring works by Respighi and Rachmaninoff.

Sir Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures, Op. 37 opens, which, in Sea Slumber Song and Where Corals Lie, unfolds a sonic depth that evokes the vastness of the sea. This is complemented by Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Silent Noon and Let Beauty Awake, with evocative music and poetry. Benjamin Britten’s Calypso from Cabaret Songs provides a playful contrast that adds lightness to the evening.

The transition to the US is marked by Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs (Set II), including the pastoral and children’s lullaby The Little Horses and the spiritual At the River. Samuel Barber’s Nocturne from Four Songs for Voice and Piano, Op. 13 seamlessly blends in with its vast lyrical beauty. A return across the Atlantic heralds in Muriel Herbert’s playful Children’s Songs, which is in stark contrast to the epic and vivid imagery of Elgar’s The Swimmer to conclude the first half of the program.

In the second half of the concert, the focus shifts to European Romanticism. Respighi’s Contrasto, Invito alla Danza, Nebbie, Storia Breve and Luce captivate with their emotional depth. Rachmaninoff’s long lines and emotional depth is on full display with Op.4 No.4 (Do Not Sing, My Beauty) and Op.21 No.7 (How Fair this Spot).

Find out more about Duo Atlantis here. Concert details and tickets available here.