Chris’s songs help Arts Network celebrate Summer

Co-founder and in-house composer of Guest House Opera, Christopher Wood is to have two vocal works sung by Carshalton mezzo soprano Maggie Cooper in a Gala Concert – a highlight of the Carshalton Festival – on Saturday 4 July, at All Saints Church, Carshalton, south west London.

The concert is being presented by Arts Network Sutton, a local group dedicated to supporting locally-based artists of all persuations, securing them opportunities to meet and collaborate with other creatives. Joining Maggie will be pianist and composer Erica Sciandrone and cellist Elizabeth Andrews, together with Randolph Patterson (dancer), Doug Shaw (spoken word), Andy Copps (storyteller) and Immanuel Gaskin (poet.

Chris’s works featured will be Song from the Gutter and the brief cycle Songs from the Edge. The ‘gutter’ song found its inspiration in a quote by Oscar Wilde; the other songs to be performed are From a Window, Mother and Nothing, all dwelling on the limits of human experience and understanding.

‘I’ve enjoyed a long and fruitful association with Maggie,’ says Chris. ‘I know that she will bring the songs to life.’ Maggie also is a member of the ANS executive and founder of Carshalton Opera.

The Gala Concert begins at 7.30pm and admission is free.

For more information on Arts Network Sutton and potential membership and grant support visit: www.ansutton.org.

The Carshalton Festival, which is set to run from 24 June to 5 July, will also include theatre, dance film and local Heritage buildings. A Garden Party is also sure to prove a highlight of this year’s event. For more information on the 2026 festival visit: www.carshaltonfestival.com.