Concert: The Pool of Bethesda

A new cantata inspired by the painting of the same name on the Hogarth Stair.

The Pool of Bethesda is an exciting new cantata by artist in residence Edward Picton-Turbervill, with a libretto by Robert Hawkins. Taking their inspiration from the painting of the same name on the Hogarth Stair, the pair have drawn out the themes of water, healing and community from the story in John's Gospel, bringing fresh relevance to the story for those using the hospital in the 21st Century.

The evening will have other performances on the theme of water and healing.

About the artist

EDWARD PICTON-TURBERVILL is a prize-winning pianist and composer, recently selected as both a Britten Pears Young Artist 2024-25 and a 2024 City Music Foundation Artist. He has performed alongside internationally-renowned singers including Ben Appl, Laurence Kilsby, Ben Johnson and Carolyn Sampson, and can be heard regularly on BBC Radio 3. As part of a collaboration with Classical Pride, he released an EP with Platoon in June 2025 alongside Harriet Burns and Jonathan Eyers. The debut album of his song cycles will be released on Delphian Records in early 2026, featuring Helen Charlston, Harriet Burns, Alexander Chance and Elgan Llŷr Thomas. Edward’s first large-scale composition, Out of Eden, was premiered at Smith Square Hall on 15 April 2025, and subsequently recorded for release on Orchid Classics in Spring 2026.

​Edward studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he graduated with Distinction in Piano Accompaniment and the Concert Recital Diploma for exceptional performance. This followed a year at the University of Heidelberg and an MPhil in Environmental Policy at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a First in Music and performed as organ scholar with its world-class choir. Edward’s first book, Talking Through Trees, was published in 2017 by the Old Stile Press, and he is the founder of Pipit, a company which exists to bring song recitals back into private homes.

​Edward believes passionately in the power of the arts to transform society: from 2018-2021, he was Head of Music at Atlantic College, where he led a major refurbishment of the music buildings and steered the department through the pandemic. He taught for many years on the Rodolfus Foundation Choral Courses, and now works as organist at St John the Divine, Kennington, assisting with the church’s renowned youth programme and leading the fundraising for a new organ.