Hanover Square Lunchtime Concert: Spectrum of Devotion

Today's Hanover Square Lunchtime Concert is given by Abbie Ward, mezzo-soprano and Ben Cook, piano. They will be performing the following programme, Spectrum of Devotion, comprising:

Maude Valérie White - How do I love thee

Maude Valérie White - So we'll go no more a'roving

Richard Hageman - At the well

Rebecca Clarke - The seal man

Richard Hageman - Do not go, my love

Paul Carr -Three love songs: 'Devotion', 'Now sleeps the crimson petal', 'I am not yours'

Ivor Gurney - Desire in spring

Sven Lekberg - The spring and the fall

Britten - Johnny

Admission, as ever, is free with a retiring collection.

Abbie Ward is a 25-year-old mezzo-soprano from Essex and a recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she studied under John Evans. She previously trained at the Royal Academy of Music.

During her time at the Academy, Abbie performed in the renowned Bach in Leipzig concert series, singing as a soloist under the batons of esteemed conductors including Dame Jane Glover, Peter Whelan, and Iain Ledingham. Her recent concert work includes singing as part of a semi-chorus in Mendelssohn’s Elijah at the Barbican Concert Hall, conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.

Abbie’s operatic roles include the title role in Carmen (St Paul’s Opera), Second Witch in Dido and Aeneas (Hampstead Garden Opera), and chorus work in British Youth Opera’s 2022 production of Vaughan Williams’ Sir John in Love. She was also a 2024 Young Artist with Wild Arts, performing the role of Third Lady in their touring production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Most recently, Abbie was named a 2025 Alvarez Young Artist with Garsington Opera, where she performed in three summer productions, appearing in the chorus of L’elisir d’amore and The Queen of Spades, and covering the role of Flávio in Rodelinda.

Her upcoming engagements include performing the role of Nerone in Hampstead Garden Opera’s production of Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea.

Ben Cook is a London-based accompanist, recently graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Masters degree and Concert Recital Diploma in Piano Accompaniment. He studied with Pamela Lidiard and Caroline Palmer. He has a particular passion for working with singers, especially within the highly varied repertoire of
English art song.

Recent recitals include venues such as St. James’s Piccadilly, St. John’s Harrow, St Stephen's Walbrook, St Mary le Strand, and has performed alongside artists including singers Mark Padmore and Roderick Williams. Ben also enjoys relationships with the St Endellion festivals, London Musical Theatre Orchestra and Côr y Boro (The Borough Welsh Choir). He is looking forward to returning to the beautiful St George's Hanover Square having previously performed here earlier this year.