Annie Blaber: In Memoriam

Annie Blaber, loyal and devoted Trustee of Wonderful Beast since its inception in 1997 till 2019
Words from Wonderful Beast's Artistic Director, Alys Kihl

We are terribly sad to announce the recent death of our wonderful friend, supporter and collaborator, Annie, who was for so many years such an integral part of the company. Together she and I concocted many productions and events, including community operas in our Storm of Stories festivals, for which she generously commissioned composers Richard Chew and John Barber. Her organisation, Children's Music Workshop, co-founded with Jane Pountney (and of which I was fortunate to be a part), provided amazing musical opportunities to thousands of primary school children in deprived areas of London and beyond. Workshops were led by incredibly talented musicians mainly from the Guildhall of Music and Drama, and many of whom, over the years, Wonderful Beast has been lucky enough to recruit for its own productions.
 
Another of Annie’s great achievements was to form ‘Woven Gold’, a refugee choir from the Helen Bamber Foundation. Singing together and performing publicly provided immense solace and joy to everyone involved and to their enthusiastic audiences. None of this would have happened without her vision and energy and determination, together with the leadership of the marvellous  musicians who shared her deep commitment.
 
Above all Annie was a wonderful friend. We travelled to India, Romania, and Spain together and I spent many happy times in Scotland with her. Her beautiful house in London was a place of creativity and activity with people coming and going, where great meals, chats, heart to hearts and huge enjoyment of each other's company took place.  I miss her terribly as does everyone who knew and loved her.