DEBUT brings their signature style DEBUT Christmas Concert to the awe-inspiring Thames Tunnel Shaft at Brunel Museum
Join us for festive favourites, sing-along carols and mulled cider - a night not to be missed!
Tuesday 7 December, 6.30 - 9pm
Doors open at 6.30pm, main concert starts at 7pm
If you have any trouble booking email Lizzie for assistance
About
For the first time DEBUT brings their much loved Christmas Concert to the breathtaking Thames Tunnel Shaft at Brunel Museum. During the evening you’ll be treated to festive favourites and sing-along carols led by DEBUT’s founder soprano Lizzie Holmes (Royal Opera House), with resident piano improviser Sam Peña (Steinway & Sons) and special guests tenor David Fearn (London Musical Theatre Orchestra) and saxophonist Manu Brazo (Classic FM). The mulled cider will be flowing and the festive spirit will be in full swing, an evening not to be missed! As ever, during the interval and before the concert there’s time to chat to your favourite musicians and learn more about this incredible venue and feat of engineering!
Launched in 2017, DEBUT have hosted over 60 sold out concerts showcasing over 180 musicians, including up and coming talent as well as fully fledged stars. Their sold-out concerts have been enjoyed across London at the Shoreditch Treehouse, Old Operating Theatre in London Bridge, Cutty Sark in Greenwich and Royal Opera House. Ranked as the ‘No.1 Airbnb Music Experience Globally' in 2018 (Forbes) and with over 400 ★★★★★ reviews from around the world already, this is a concert experience unlike any other!
Thames Tunnel Shaft
Brunel Museum
The Museum is an educational charity and tells the story of one of the world’s great engineering dynasties. Brunel organised the world’s first underground concert party here in 1827, and the Museum celebrates and interprets music and theatre as well as engineering.
The Tunnel Shaft is a Grade II* listed structure and the world’s first caisson. The chamber is half the size of Shakespeare’s Globe, and is open again for the first time in a hundred and fifty years. This is where work on the tunnel began, and where Isambard Kingdom Brunel nearly drowned. When it opened in 1843 it was the world’s most popular visitor attraction, Brunel organised underground fairs and banquets inside the Thames Tunnel – once described as the Eighth Wonder of the World – in the mid-nineteenth century.
Musicians
David Fearn tenor
Manu Brazo saxophone
Lizzie Holmes soprano & host
Sam Peña pianist
Programme
(singalong carols in bold)
PART 1
Have yourself a merry little Christmas by Stoll - David & Sam 3’
The Merry Widow - Love unspoken by Lehàr - Lizzie, Manu & Sam
O Christmas Tree 3’
A Christmas Carol - A place called home by Menken - David & Sam
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) - Manu & Sam 3’
Silent Night 3’
Thaïs - Méditation by Massenet - Sam & Manu 4’30
Whilst shepherds watched their flocks by night
West Side Story - Tonight by Bernstein - Lizzie, David & Sam
Sam’s Cheeky Christmas Mash Up - 5’
PART 2
In the bleak midwinter 3’
Little Girl Blue - Lizzie & Sam 4’
Studio Ghibli - Soundtrack Medley, sax & piano - Manu & Sam 6’
White Christmas 3’
River by Joni Mitchell - David & Sam 4’
Aria by Bozza - Manu & Sam 4’
The Holly and the Ivy 3’
The Man with the Bag by Taylor & Brooks - David, Manu & Sam 3’
O Holy Night 3’ - Lizzie, David, Manu & Sam
We Wish You a Merry Christmas 3’
“Audiences are left with open eyes and a thirst for discovering more”
“Intimate, alternative, engaging”
Keeping you safe
To help everyone visiting and working at the Thames Tunnel Shaft and Brunel Museum stay safe we’ve made some changes to how we operate during these times:
Mask up when not in your seat
Proof of negative rapid flow test on arrival
Allocated seating areas
We'll have the main doors open during the breaks
"Audiences are left with open eyes and a thirst for discovering more" — Classical Music Magazine
What guests say
“This is a unique experience. The standard of music and performance is incredible and the programmes are designed with great thought. But, it's much more than that....the atmosphere, environment, warmth and welcome are unlike anything else I have encountered. It is quite clear that the performers and the audience love every minute. It's a privilege and joy to be there. I can't wait for the next one.” - Debra
"Such an amazing welcome, really great space and the hosts were so inclusive. I have not seen or heard any opera before but I was entranced by all the performances. I will definitely be back." - Jon
"Definitely would recommend it to anyone looking to do something different in London. An unforgettable and really fun evening" - Eyad
FAQs
What is the structure of the evening?
Doors open at 6.30pm, you'll be greeted by our team at the door and be treated to a pop up performance and introduction to the Brunel Museum, before being shown to your seats for the concert to start at 7pm! Our resident pianist Sam Peña will be playing fun improvised Christmas tunes on the piano until the concert starts. From there we'll have 2 x 45 minute sets of music (with lots of chatting), with a 25 minute interval giving time for the performers to come and say hi, or for you to grab a mince pie or refill your mulled cider!
How is the venue accessed?
The concert is located at the bottom of the Thames Tunnel Shaft’s stairwell, please note there is no lift access.
DEBUT Christmas at Shoreditch Treehouse