Classic poetry set to the music of Clement Ishmael
With the wonderful Melanie Marshall
EXPERIENCE THE TIMELESS BLEND OF POETRY AND MUSIC
“What a rare pleasure it was to be at the London performance of DEEP LIKE THE RIVERS, Clement Ishmael’s shimmering programme of poems by various authors set to his own arrangements. A celebration of soulful poetry these days is rare enough. But hearing DEEP LIKE THE RIVERS was nothing less than a sensual banquet, with musical settings of lyrics by writers as diverse as Maya Angelou, William Shakespeare, Langston Hughes and Grace Nichols (to name just a few). Ishmael has a singular and precious gift for responding to each poetic diamond with a perfect musical blend of economy and style. Nothing is wasted as each poem is turned musically like a many-faceted gem catching the light as it dances through. Melanie Marshal’s glorious, effortless vocals added infinite iridescence to the evening, and the instrumentalists and choir provided sublime support. A unforgettable evening of delicious and enriching soul food”
DISCOVER POETRY IN SONG
Clement Ishmael
Clement is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Royal Conservatory of Music, where he specialized in composition and conducting as well as singing with Joyce Britten. He was Associate conductor of the Royal Conservatory of Music Choirs under the tutelage of Denise Nacisse-Mair. He continued his studies in conducting and composition at the Guildhall School of Music in London.
Conducting credits include Abbey Players Opera Company, Ad Astra Chorus, Addison Jazz Ensemble and West London Gospel Choir. West End credits include: Five Guys Named Moe, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, and Soul Train. He has also directed and arranged the music for numerous shows which include: Sweet Lorraine, Up Against the Wall, The Amen Corner, The Grape Vine, The Cavalcaders and Gem of the Ocean.
His classical compositions and arrangements have been performed worldwide as well as being broadcast by BBC Television and Radio. His first Opera ‘Looking at the Sun’ was performed at the Battersea Arts Centre and his chamber opera Grazyna was performed at the Royal Opera House’s Lindbury Studio.
Clement’s commission, for the London Piano Trio was debuted at the Capri Music Festival in Italy. More recently he composed a four movement piece for strings from the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
His musical ‘Playboy of the West Indies’ was debuted at the commonwealth Games in Birmingham and he also composed the music Diana Atuona’s new play ‘Trouble in Butetown’.
Future projects include the workshop of his musical ‘Couch’ and a new opera based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Clement is currently Worldwide Music Supervisor of Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Aida’.
Melanie Marshall
Melanie Marshall won a Foundation Scholarship to study Singing and Piano at The Royal College of Music.
Theatre Credits include: Mrs Obookoo in Only Fools and Horses the musical (Haymarket Theatre) A Pupil (Park Theatre) Unexpected Joy (Southwark Playhouse ); Bertha in Jane Eyre (Bristol Old Vic; NT & International Tour 2016; UK Tour 2017); General Cartwright in Guys & Dolls (UK Tour; Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre); Muna in The Infidel (Theatre Royal Stratford East); Vocalist in Monty Python Live at the O2 ; Funmilayo in FELA! (National Theatre, Broadway & World Tour); The Mikado in Hot Mikado (Watermill Theatre / UK Tour); Maria in Porgy and Bess (Glyndebourne & Savoy Theatre Directed by Sir Trevor Nunn); Miss Sherman in Fame (Aldwych Theatre); Featured Vocalist in Elsa Canesta & L’Eveil (Rambert Dance Co.); The Diva in The Fat Lady Sings (Kit & The Widow); Madam Butler & Miss Mamie in Simply Heavenly (Young Vic & Trafalgar Studios). Carmen Jones (Sheffield Crucible and Old Vic Theatres) Kiss Me Kate (Old Vic and Savoy Theatres).
Recording and concerts: Clement Ishmael’s Poetry in Song; Feel The Spirit, A Christmas Festival, Messiah and Distant Land, all conducted by John Rutter, solo Jazz album Cocktail.
The RPO, conducted by John Rutter, guest soloist with the Halle Orchestra, The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and all of the BBC Orchestras. Melanie also performed Feel The Spirit & Distant Land at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Christmas 2020, Melanie performed a Christmas Celebration conducted by John Rutter and the RPO in St Albans Cathedral. A soloist in the Marvel film series.
Melanie is a Singing Professor at RADA .