Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) and Toby Carr (lute) present a new work by Ben Rowarth at Purbeck Arts Festival on 7 June at St Edward’s, Corfe Castle. Entitled Echo, the four-movement song cycle sets Christina Rossetti’s poem of the same name. The music looks to capture the essence of Rossetti’s poetry, creating a trance-like effect of someone lost in their thoughts and swept up in a memory. Rowarth’s songs quote music by Robert Dowland also heard in the programme, both mirroring and contrasting the existing pieces.

The new song cycle also receives a performance on 10 July at York Early Music Festival, and has been commissioned by Helen Charlston.