Watch the Q&A session here: https://youtu.be/gtCsGQ14nU0

This lecture examines ‘Send in the Clowns’, probably the most commercially successful song written by the revered Stephen Sondheim. Yet it confounds the expectations of a showstopper by being written for an actress of limited singing ability, the late Glynis Johns. This lecture reflects on how it works in the context the musical A Little Night Music and explores how it came to be covered by major singers including Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins and Sarah Vaughan. How has a song of limited vocal range and abstract lyrics become such a favourite?

This lecture was recorded by Professor Dominic Broomfield-McHugh  on 17th October 2024 at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, London.

Dominic is Gresham Visiting Professor of Film and Theatre Music.

Dominic is also Professor of Music at the University of Sheffield and is Associate Producer of the PBS documentary Meredith Willson: America's Music Man and has appeared on all the main BBC television and radio stations as well as NPR in America. He has given talks and lectures at the Sydney Opera House, New York City Center, the Library of Congress, New York Public Library, Sadler's Wells, and Lincoln Center, among many others

The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/sondheim-showstopper

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