Madeleine Dring: I Hate Music

Madeleine Dring (1923-1977) was born in London and studied violin, piano, and composition at the Royal College of Music. She has written volumes of art songs and cabaret songs, as well as music for piano solo, piano duo, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and West End Revues. I Hate Music (1951) is a cabaret song that pays tribute to classical, jazz, blues, and musical theatre styles. The narrator tells a dramatic story about how she was seduced by a music professor, married him, and quickly came to regret her decision. This clever song is filled with musical and textual allusions to a myriad of composers and musicians that drive our narrator a little crazy.
Sofia Scattarreggia, soprano
Rebecca Golub, pianist

[@geocham]

This ie such a brilliant performance. Dring needs voice, wit, acting and character - stunning!! I was transfixed! ‘I thought Michael Tippett was some kind of tea’ is such a boss line. Please do some more!!

[@rebeccagolub]

Thank you so much! Sofia and I had a blast working on this song, as well as several others by Dring. Check out our recording of her "Torch Song": th-cam.com/video/AtBx8INwesw/w-d-xo.html

[@rohancock-child8722]

Glorious! A clever song, yes, and you were definitely equal to the task of singing + playing it [congratulations to both of you]. Thank you for offering us all this captivating performance, I heard every word. I enjoyed the drama, the humour, the slick + sensitive piano accompaniment, and WOW what a powerful, flexible voice. Something I'd like to know - was there an audience? With admiration, Ro Hancock-Child, biograoher of Madeleine Dring

[@rebeccagolub]

Hi Ro! Thank you so much for your kind words! And how cool that you’re a Madeleine Dring expert. Sofia and I had a ton of fun digging into this song and others by Dring. We did indeed perform this for an audience, for a recital at the Eastman School of Music last April. I think they were quite amused!