Die schöne Müllerin and The Alehouse Sessions, Middle Temple Hall review - overflowing musical energy and joy
Die schöne Müllerin and The Alehouse Sessions at Middle Temple Hall, Thursday 18 November
Reviewed by Alexandra Coghlan of The Artsdesk
The world of the 17th-century tavern is a long way from the contemporary concert hall. A quick glance at the scene in paintings by Jan Steen or his contemporaries shows us a joyful tangle of men and women, dogs, cats and small children, all engaged in a riot of drinking, dancing, brawling, music-making and love-making (occasionally even napping) while hens stroll officiously across the floor pecking up crumbs. It looks noisy, dirty and a jolly good time.