New release with Genesis Sixteen - Charlotte Smith’s Sonnet XCII
03 July, 2026
This is a remarkable live performance from the acclaimed Genesis Sixteen, recorded at St Mary’s Church, Petworth as part of the Petworth Festival. It is an unaccompanied choral setting by Ned of early Romantic poet Charlotte Smith’s Sonnet XCII. Charlotte Smith is increasingly recognised as a key figure in the Romantic movement and inspired Wordsworth, Coleridge Taylor and later Dickens.
'Low murmurs creep along the woody vale, The tremulous Aspens shudder in the breeze, Slow o’er the downs the leaden vapours sail, While I, beneath these old paternal trees, Mark the dark shadows of the threaten’d storm, As gathering clouds o’erveil the morning sun; They pass! – But oh! ye visions bright and warm With which even here my sanguine youth begun, Ye are obscured for ever! – And too late The poor Slave shakes the unworthy bonds away Which crush’d her! – Lo! the radiant star of day Lights up this lovely scene anew – My fate Nor hope nor joy illumines – Nor for me Return those rosy hours which here I used to see!'
Genesis Sixteen is The Sixteen’s pioneering free young artists’ training programme, designed to nurture the next generation of talented ensemble singers. The programme is fully funded by the Genesis Foundation. ‘Genesis Sixteen has become an integral part of what the Sixteen does and the quality of young singers remains incredibly high.’ Harry Christophers CBE
Eamonn Dougan is Associate Conductor of The Sixteen, founding Director of Britten Sinfonia Voices, Music Director of the Thomas Tallis Society, and Chief Conductor for Jersey Chamber Orchestra.
(copy and paste https://open.spotify.com/track/0CnRCjTg9leSrFCgQWTug2?si=1e0fb7af73b44d74)