Matthew Rose

Matthew Rose bass
Malcolm Martineau piano

Schubert Three Italian Songs D 902
Brahms Four Serious Songs Op. 121
Schubert Schwanengesang

According to legend, the swan, though mute through life, sings a beautiful lament just before death. What could be a more fitting title, therefore, than Schwanengesang (swansong) for Schubert’s posthumously published last songs. Here, Grammy winning British bass Matthew Rose performs this famous ‘song cycle’ alongside Brahms’ equally valedictory ‘Four Serious Songs’ (‘Oh, death how bitter thou art’) and Schubert’s Drei Gesänge D902, written for and dedicated to another celebrated bass, Luigi Lablache (1794–1858).

Since making his name with his award-winning role as Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) at the 2006 Glyndebourne Festival, Matthew Rose has become a major star on the international opera stage and in the concert hall. His recent engagements include his Metropolitan Opera debut in New York as Colline (La Bohème); and Claggart (Billy Budd) for ENO.