NUNS & ROSES

Singers: Elizabeth Drury, Suzie Purkis, Imogen Russell, Sarah Tenant-Flowers, Suzzie Vango

Five heavenly voices sing medieval, classical, folk and contemporary a cappella. 

Papagena - no props, microphones or gimmicks, just five stunning female voices whose members have worked with the UK’s leading vocal ensembles. Weaving together classical music, medieval chants, folk and contemporary ballads and new commissions from around the world, Papagena’s refreshing programming defies pigeonholing. The group has performed throughout the UK, broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and Scala Radio, and since 2017 has released three albums: Nuns and Roses; The Darkest Midnight (SOMM Recordings); and Hush! (SOMM Recordings).

Papagena’s programme ranges from 12th century abbess Hildegard of Bingen to Imogen Heap, from Russian Orthodox hymnody and lilting Celtic ballads to Norwegian lullabies. Throw into the mix Purcell, Scarlatti, Ravel, contemporary folk, a comedic commission and the group’s cover of Sweet Child of Mine and you have Nuns and Roses, something for everyone!

“If Papagena were an all-male a cappella ensemble rather than an all-female group they would be household names in the UK” - Gramophone

“A breath of fresh air…I want to hear them live” - Norman Lebrecht

“Absolutely gorgeous” - Petroc Trelawny BBC Radio 3