Alison Lau & Stan Geudens in Recital—Darkness for a While

A dialogue between voice and theorbo amid a garden of tranquillity

Set within the serenity of Nan Lian Garden, Darkness for a While is an intimate concert that explores darkness as a powerful metaphor, inviting audience members to pause, listen and reflect. Spanning four centuries of music, the programme maps a solitary emotional journey from darkness toward light, framing the night not as a space for despair, but as a quiet space for longing, vulnerability, and quiet hope.

Alison Lau, the Hong Kong-born soprano whose career has seen her perform with some of Europe’s foremost Early Music ensembles and artists, including Ton Koopman, Christoph Prégardien and Masaaki Suzuki, has conceived a programme centred on 17th-century English and French song shaped by the introspective theme of evening. Melodies and poetry from centuries ago contemplate the enduring questions of loss, longing and hope and find echoes in songs from the 20th century.

Joining Alison is Belgian musician Stan Geudens, one of a new generation of period plucked-string specialists. Alison and Stan began their musical partnership while working with leading Early Music ensembles the Netherlands Bach and Society Vox Luminis. Through his mastery of the theorbo and complemented by his own personal arrangements, Stan brings warmth and quiet intensity to the programme, illuminating the subtle emotional contours of each song.

There will be a Meet-the-Artist session after the performance.

Advance Bookings will start at 10am on 7 October 2026