Monday 24 September, 7.30 pm |
MID-WALES OPERA |
LA BOHEME: Puccini |
The Shrewsbury Music Hall - £21.00 (Child: £10.50) |
| Director: Martin Lloyd-Evans |
| In Puccini’s most popular opera, his ravishingly beautiful score and celebrated arias brilliantly portray the passions, laughter and tragedies of the young bohemians. Once again award-winning Mid Wales Opera has assembled a cast of lively young singers from the National Opera Companies for another of their original and heart-warming productions A treat for all who appreciate live theatre at its most exciting. |
| ‘Excellence, creativity, innovation and accessibility’ Prudential Opera Awards |
| Pre-performance talk by Dr. Robert Meikle 6.30-7.00 (arr. by Friends of SMT) |
| One performance only – book early! |
| In association with Shrewsbury Music Hall |
Wednesday 10 October, 7.30 pm |
GRAND UNION BAND |
| Spirit of Carnival |
The Shrewsbury Music Hall - £15.00 (Child: £7.50) |
| This unashamed affirmation of the carnival spirit features world-class jazz players and musicians taking the audience on a journey from Central America, via Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and South America and back to the Caribbean. The music is joyous and celebratory, incorporating a wide range of dance rhythms from calypso and reggae through township and hi-life to bhangra and Bollywood. Steel pans and panpipes lock horns with dhol and dijeridu, while stunning jazz improvisation surfs the infectious dance rhythms. |
| Sometimes described as ‘the melting pot’ of Grand Union's work, the Band celebrates the energy and creative possibilities of today's multiracial society – filtering and fusing many different forms and styles in a single identity and through a collective sound of their own ‘making cultural diversity an artform’ – There exists no other collection of professional musicians from such diverse backgrounds, and the effect is explosive. |
| ‘An electrifying spectacle and an ever-changing, irresistible sound’ The Observer |
| Sponsored by REPROGRAPHIX |
Saturday 13 October, 7.30 pm |
THE HANOVER BAND |
Concord College, Acton Burnell - £18.00 (Child: £9.00) |
| Splendours of the Baroque |
| Andrew Arthur director/harpsichord |
| Soloists Robert Farley, William O’Sullivan, |
| Christopher Pigram trumpets Tommy Foster timpani |
| Gavin Edwards & David Bentley horns |
| Madeleine Easton violin |
| J.S.Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F BWV 1046 |
| Telemann - Concerto for 3 Trumpets, Timpani & Strings |
| J.S.Bach - Violin Concerto in E BWV 1042 |
| Telemann - Concerto for 2 Horns in Eb |
| J.S.Bach - Suite No 4 in D BWV 1069 |
| Hear the music of Bach and Telemann as it would have sounded when it was first performed! A welcome return of The Hanover Band, one of the UK’s finest period instrument orchestras performing some of the jewels of music composed in Germany in the 1700’s – a rapturous sound of full forces complete with full brass and timpani. |
| ‘The playing of The Hanover Band is immaculate, buoyant and incisive - lively yet measured’ BBC Music Magazine |
| Pre-Concert Talk 6.30: Andrew Arthur discusses Performance Practice in Bach’s time with Principal Players of The Hanover Band. |
| Enjoy a pre-concert Picnic in the beautiful College grounds |
| Wine and Cheese also available from 6.30 pm |
| In association with Concord College |
| Supported by Friends of the Shropshire Music Trust |
Sunday 4 November, 3.00 pm |
TWIN CELLISTS |
| Pei-Jee and Pei-Sian Ng with Miyako Machida piano |
The Gateway, Shrewsbury - £8.00 (Child: £4.00) |
| Barriere - Sonata for two cellos in G major |
| Chopin - Sonata for cello and piano |
| Rachmaninov - Sonata for cello and piano |
| Kats-Chernin - 'Phoenix Story: Courting the Dragon' premiere |
| The phenomenal Australian brothers, winners of numerous international awards, present a wonderful programme covering the development of cello works and repertoire from the bravura-type Sonata by Barriere (a composer of the baroque period when cello was taking over from viol) through Chopin’s hugely popular but less frequently heard cello sonata which the composer asked to be played on his death-bed, to Rachmaninov’s big robust moody romantic work. |
| The historical journey ends with the contemporary magical and unique ‘Phoenix Story’ written for the brothers by Uzbekistan-born compatriot Elena Kats-Chernin with its rock-like feel and oriental influences. |
| ‘Both prodigiously gifted cellists … musically compelling and technically immaculate’ Sunday Times |
| Countess of Munster Trust |
| LUNCHTIME CONCERT |
Mon 12 Nov, 1.00 - 2.00 pm |
HARRIET EARIS celtic harp |
St.Alkmund’s Church, St.Alkmund’s Square, Shrewsbury - £ 5.00 (Child: £2.50) |
| A foot-tapping and infectious traditionally-based performance adding new rhythms and harmonies in her own fun-filled expressive and refreshingly modern approach |
| School parties welcome |
Wednesday 14 November, 7.30 pm |
ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA |
St.Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury - £18.00 (Child: £9.00) |
| Stephanie Gonley, director and violin |
| Caroline Dale, cello |
| Bartok - Divertimento |
| Haydn - Cello Concerto in C |
| Vivaldi - Four Seasons |
| First visit to the County of the ECO – ‘one of the world’s greatest living orchestras’ which has performed in more countries than any other orchestra, recorded over 1,200 works and played with all the world’s greatest soloists in its 47 year history. The ECO celebrates and builds upon its tradition of maintaining the highest international musical standards, nurturing new talent and focussing on the ‘best of British’ music and musicianship with its range of patrons and musical directors of a stature hard to match including the likes of Benjamin Britten, Daniel Barenboim, Maxim Vengerov and Sir Colin Davies. |
| Stephanie Gonley is firmly established as one of the leading British violinists of her generation, and appears as a soloist with many orchestras both in the UK and abroad, including numerous recordings with the Orchestra. Caroline Dale’s stunningly varied career includes being a member of the Nigel Kennedy Quartet, concerto soloist with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, and providing the solo cello music for the films 'Hilary and Jackie' (about the life of Jacqueline du Pre) and 'Truly Madly Deeply' |
| Sponsored by James, Holyoak & Parker Chartered Accountants |
Sunday 25 November, 3.00 pm |
| Family Concert |
‘NIGHTINGALES, ELEPHANTS & ALEXANDER BEETLE’ THE ANTONIUS PLAYERS WITH LOUIS DE BERNIERES |
The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, (1hr) - £6.00 (Child: £3.00) |
| A highly entertaining children's event based on the theme of animals and nature with best-selling author Louis de Bernieres (including Captain Correlli’s Mandolin, other novels, children’s books and poetry) and his musical ensemble The Antonius Players The poems chosen by Louis are complemented by music in a variety of styles and performed on many different instruments based around the original flute trio. Louis joins the musical items and adds his fine mandolin, guitar (and woodwind!) skills. |
| The event was first performed to high acclaim at the 2006 Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival and will this year be seen at the Edinburgh Festival. |
| From Age 8 upwards!! –Have Tea with the Artists afterwards (including book signing) |
| In association with the Children’s Bookfest (9-11 Nov & 1-5 May) |
| In association with The Lion Hotel |
Tuesday 4 December, 7.30 pm |
EX CATHEDRA |
St. Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury - £15.00 (Child: £7.50) |
| “Christmas by Candlelight” |
| The always packed, now traditional, and ever popular unique celebration of seasonal music with readings. |
| Book early! |
| Sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors |
Wednesday 30 January, 7.30 pm |
CHINESE UK ENSEMBLE |
| SILK & BAMBOO |
The Shrewsbury Music Hall - £15.00 (Child: £7.50) |
| The UK and Europe’s Premier Chinese Performing Arts Ensemble |
| Celebrating the start of Chinese New Year in styl e and unique in its instrumentation, the professional UK Chinese Ensemble’s ‘Silk and Bamboo’ show is an exciting display of very best in Chinese music and artistic talent. Established virtuosi with international reputations, they perform both traditional and contemporary music and dance including an introduction to the spectacular world of the famous Bejing Opera. |
| Since 1998, the group have performed at festivals and cultural events and have been in great demand for media and film recordings as well as regular educational activities in the UK and Europe. In addition they have appeared extensively at major centres including on London’s SouthBank, the Royal Opera House and the Brighton andEdinburgh Festivals, and also perform in Europe and beyond at events such as WOMEX (Spain) and WOMAD (Canada, Sweden). |
| Their various projects for 2007/08 include an opera-circus spectacular, ‘Monkey – Journey to The West’ with Blur singer Damon Albarn. |
| ‘A virtuoso and exotic ensemble ... brilliant and impressive" The Scotsman |
| Sponsored by Reprographix |
| In association with Shrewsbury Music Hall |
Friday 15 February, 7.30 pm |
THE DUFAY COLLECTIVE |
The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury - £14.00 (Child: £7.00) |
| ‘Joyoza’ - Dance and Song from Medieval Europe |
| Jon Banks harp, gittern, percussion Vivien Ellis voice William Lyons flute, recorder, shawm, pipes, simfony Clare Salaman vielle Peter Skuce harp, percussion |
| Definitely one of the most interesting early music groups around - high in energy and hugely enjoyable. In their 25 years they have performed and broadcast around the world, won several 'Grammies' and featured in various TV shows and films (most recently, Harry Potter), while their members' other work includes arranger/composer for the new Globe Theatre, membership of most of the best known early music ensembles, distinguished academic appointments and playing with the electro-acoustic band 'Electrosonic Monk'. |
| La Joyoza celebrates the influence of the onset of spring and summer on poets and musicians in the Middle Ages when life was tied not to the clock but to the seasons and the hours of the church, punctuated with holy and feast days with their roots in ancient festivals and rites. Flirtatious caroles and amorous pastourelles from France and Italy are framed by sinuous salterellos, farandoles and estampies as danced in courtly houses and town squares of medieval Europe – all in praise of the return of warm days and the rising of the sap. |
| ‘An early-music must’ The Observer |
| ‘The Dufay Collective produce a medieval 'jam' session as brilliantly sophisticated as anything you're likely to hear at Ronnie Scott's.’ Independent |
| Special Supper Tickets from The Lion |
| In association with The Lion Hotel |
Saturday 23 February, 7.30 pm |
BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP |
Concord College, Acton Burnell - £13.00 (Child: £6.50) |
| ‘SNAPSHOTS’ |
| Purcell/Knussen ... upon one note |
| Gerald Barry - Aeneas and Dido |
| Tansy Davies - Undertow |
| John Woolrich - A Presence of Departed Acts |
| Colin Matthews - Elegaic Chaconne |
| Philip Cashian - Caprichos |
| Morgan Hayes - Snapshots |
| Thomas Ades - Court Studies from The Tempest |
| Acclaimed for the thrilling virtuosity of their performances and their vibrant programming, BCMG’s chamber players bring a typically sparky evening to Shrewsbury representing an amazing array of composers. They play music from a clutch of Britain’s most exciting living composers, some of it refracted through the prism of the past, with Oliver Knussen and Morgan Hayes both paying homage to that greatest of English composers Henry Purcell. |
| Thomas Adès has been compared to just about every great English composer before him and is here represented by the exquisite Court Studies drawn from his extravagantly praised Covent Garden opera The Tempest. |
| Pre-Concert Talk 6.30 pm: Stephen Newbould (Director of BCMG) in conversation with John Woolrich and Tansy Davies. |
| Wine and Cheese available from 6.30 pm |
| In association with Concord College |
Spring Chamber Series |
Carducci String Quartet |
I Sunday 2 Mar The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, 7.30 pm |
II Sunday 20 April The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, 3.00 pm |
III Sunday 11 May Concord College, Acton Burnell, 3.00 pm |
| The exciting Carducci Quartet have rapidly become known as one of Europe's top young string quartets. In the last four years they have won prizes in no less than 6 International Chamber Music Competitions. Shropshire Music Trust are delighted that they will be performing a series of 3 concerts this Spring, to include Beethoven's 3 'Rasumovsky' quartets - perhaps 3 of the greatest quartets ever written. |
| In Vaughan Williams’ anniversary year the Carducci will also be including his 2 beautiful string quartets, alongside 3 inspiring works by Haydn. These concerts will take place in March, April and May in the ballroom of Shrewsbury's Lion Hotel and at Concord College's splendid concert hall - both wonderful settings for Chamber Music. |
| FREE Young People Concert Tickets (8-22 years) See Booking Form |
| CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust - taking Chamber Music to Young People and Young People to Chamber Music |
Pre-Series Introductory Day -The Gateway, Sunday 24 February |
| Given by Dr. Robert Meikle, the popular Day Course will provide an illuminating insight into many of the works to be played in the Series. Details will be sent later in the Season |
| Spring Chamber Series - I |
Sunday 2 March, 7.30 pm |
CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET |
The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury - £12.00 (Child: £Free - Name / DOB / School required) |
| Haydn - Quartet Op 50 No 6 |
| Janacek - Quartet No 1 |
| Beethoven - Quartet Op 59 No 2 |
| Special Supper Tickets from The Lion |
| Sponsored by Richard & Heather Clay |
| In association with The Lion Hotel |
Sunday 16 March, 7.30 pm |
INNOVATION CHAMBER ENSEMBLE |
St. Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury - £14.00 (Child: £7.00) |
| Brahms - Sextet in B flat Op 18 No 1 |
| Richard Strauss - Capriccio |
| Brahms - Sextet in G major Op 36 No 2 |
| Sparkling conductor-less performances from the leading players of the world-renowned CBSO. They have already made a splash in the musical life of the country with their debut CD of classical works and premieres and with their acclaimed concerts in Birmingham and London. |
| In particular, they have received rave reviews for their performances of the two sublime Brahms' sextets and are now giving Shrewsbury audiences a chance to hear both of them in a single concert in the magnificent setting of St Mary's. The Brahms' works are complemented by Strauss' glorious sextet from the opening to his opera Capriccio. |
| ‘Excellent … quite outstanding. Seldom have we heard string-playing sing in this way’ Observer |
| Supported by Friends of the Shropshire Music Trust |
LUNCHTIME CONCERT |
Monday 7 April, 1.00 - 2.00 pm |
| CALDERON DUO flute & guitar |
St.Alkmund’s Church, St.Alkmund’s Square, Shrewsbury - £5.00 (Child: £2.50) |
| A superb performance from two prize-winning graduates of the Royal College of Music, informally presented and featuring well-known music, together with some new items. |
| School parties welcome |
Thursday 10 April, 7.30 pm |
THE SIXTEEN The Choral Pilgrimage 2008 |
St. Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury - £21.00 (Child: £10.50) |
“THY MUSE LIVES ON” |
| Treasures of Tudor England |
| Shrewsbury is fortunate to be included for the first time on the always ‘sell-out’ Choral Pilgrimage, the annual tour of our finest cathedrals bringing music back to the buildings for which it was written. |
| “Awaye wyth Bibles and up wyth beades; awaye wyth the lyghte of the Gospel and up wyth the lyghte of candelles” (from Sermon on the Ploughers 1548) – This year’s programme is devoted to three prolific composers (Parsons, White and Tye) born in, or just before, the reign of King Henry VIII and who not only survived the reformation but lived through the turbulent times of Edward VI , Mary I and then died during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who by maintaining a religious balancing act managed to secure an established Church. |
| After twenty-eight years of world-wide performance, endless accolades which include being Associate Artists of the South Bank Centre, London and 'The Voices of Classic FM', and a glittering catalogue of recordings, The Sixteen is recognised as one of the world’s greatest vocal ensembles with its unique reputation for performing a diversity of masterpieces spanning the music of five hundred years - drawn from the passions of conductor and founder, Harry Christophers. |
| ‘Magical... vibrant .. wonderfully clear and unfailingly precise’ Daily Telegraph ‘Exultant and agile singing... a triumph... takes the breath away’ Guardian |
| ‘Thrilling, dramatic and scintillating … an awe-inspiring, glorious sound’ The Times |
| Sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors |
| Spring Chamber Series - II |
Sunday 20 April, 3.00 pm |
CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET |
The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury - £12.00 (Child: £Free - Name / DOB / School required) |
| Haydn - Quartet Op 20 No 4 |
| Vaughan Williams - Quartet No 1 |
| Beethoven - Quartet Op 59 No 1 |
| Special Lunch Tickets from The Lion |
| In association with The Lion Hotel |
| Sponsored by Richard & Heather Clay |
Monday 21 April, 7.30 pm |
LONDON MOZART PLAYERS |
Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry - £16.00 (Child: £8.00) |
| Tasmin Little director/violin |
| Mozart - Overture: Marriage of Figaro |
| Tchaikovsky - Serenade for Strings |
| Beethoven - Violin Concerto in D |
| As the UK’s first and one of the finest European chamber orchestras, the internationally renowned LMP is well-known for its live appearances and CD recordings, and in particular for its definitive performances of the core classical repertoire. |
| Beethoven's famous Violin Concerto will allow international star Tasmin Little to demonstrate both her deep emotional involvement in the music and her incredible pyrotechnic flair. It is balanced by Tchaikovsky's glorious Serenade, which displays fantastic string colours with vigorous Russian dance music, and by Mozart's wonderful overture to The Marriage of Figaro - watch how fast the string players' fingers can move! |
| Pre-Concert Talk 6.30 - 7.00: Antony Lewis-Crosby (Managing Director of LMP) in conversation with Tasmin Little. |
| ‘Tasmin Little portrays a rare and increasing intensity. She has a fascinating ability to combine the virtuoso challenges with the folkloristic- A formidable talent!’ New York Times |
| Local Box Office: Music Makers, 2 Leg St, Oswestry Tel: 01691 654510 |
| In association with Oswestry School Recital Series (Tel: 01691 681135) |
Sunday 27 April, 3.00 pm |
FINE ARTS BRASS |
Drayton Festival Centre, Market Drayton - £12.00 (Child: £6.00) |
| Fine Arts Brass is firmly established as ‘the most successful brass quintet in Europe’ (John Wallace) at the forefront of the international brass chamber music scene, its enduring success due to their uncanny chameleon-like adaptability to different audience requirements ranging from educational concerts to broadcasts suitable for BBC Radios 2, 3 or 4. With the combination of their unique versatility of sound, eminent humour and passion for the music they play, it is easy to see why they have toured to over 60 countries and performed in just about every music festival in the UK. |
| Their repertoire is as comprehensive as you would expect from such artists, encapsulating all musical genres from the Renaissance and Baroque to the sound worlds of the avant garde. Equally, when they play Swing, they swing! |
| Local Box Office: Festival Centre Tel: 01630 654444 |
| In association with the Festival Centre Drayton Management |
| Sponsored by DELMAR PRESS |
Wednesday 7 May, 7.30 pm |
BRITTEN SINFONIA |
The Shrewsbury Music Hall - £18.00 (Child: £9.00) |
| Nicholas Daniel - oboe |
| Jacqueline Shave - solo violin / director |
| Vivaldi - Oboe Concerto in C |
| Piazzolla - Primavera Portena (Spring) / Oblivion |
| Osvaldo Golijov - Last Round |
| Villa Lobos - Bachianas brazileiras No.9 |
| Stravinsky - Concerto in D |
| Bach - Concerto for violin and oboe |
| The first visit to Shropshire of the distinguished Britten Sinfonia – celebrated for their fresh and innovative programming , their burgeoning international profile and their high class guest artists. They are here directed by superb performer Jacky Shave known for her outstanding artistry and technique, and featuring Nicholas Daniel, one of the country’s finest oboists - a talented musical communicator and a sheer delight as a performer. |
| Two sparkling works by Vivaldi and Bach frame the South American works at the centre of this concert which have become a feature of Britten Sinfonia’s repertoire since their first tour to Brazil and Argentina in May 2007. |
| Golijov’s thrilling, virtuosic ‘Last Round’ is a tribute written on the death of his compatriot Piazzolla, the great tango composer - his Primavera was inspired by Vivaldi’s ‘The Seasons’ whose sunny oboe concerto opens the concert, while the Villa-Lobos pays homage to the folk music of Brazil and the music of Bach – who’s popular concerto for violin and oboe, complemented by Stravinsky’s neo-classical work, completes the evening. |
| ‘This band can do anything and make it look effortless fun.’ The Independent |
| Spring Chamber Series - III |
Sunday 11 May, 3.00 pm |
CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET |
Concord College, Acton Burnell - £12.00 (Child: £Free - Name / DOB / School required)) |
| Haydn - Op 76 No 2 |
| Vaughan Williams - Quartet No2 |
| Beethoven - Quartet Op 59 No 3 |
| Meet the Artists over Tea, afterwards:Friends of SMT- Free (others: £5 on the door) |
| In association with Concord College |
| Supported by Friends of the Shropshire Music Trust |
| Sponsored by Richard & Heather Clay |
Wednesday 14 May, 7.30 pm |
| Celebrity Recital |
| EMMA KIRKBY soprano & ANTHONY ROOLEY lute |
St. Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury - £15.00 (Child: £7.50) |
| SONGS OF JOY – SONGS OF MOURNING |
| English Lute-Songs from the Jacobean Era |
| Emma Kirkby is already a legend, renowned for her pure tone, her musicianship and her attention to the words of the songs she sings, and she has over a hundred recordings to her name. These qualities were recognised most recently when she received a DBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. Interviewed after the announcement of this award, she commented: 'My greatest pleasure has always been to work cooperatively, drawing inspiration from musicologists, directors and colleagues, both vocal and instrumental, and I see this honour as a celebration of the powers of ensemble, clarity and stillness, beyond those of purely volume and display.' |
| Few have done as much to revive the sensibility and thereby the stature of early English music as Anthony Rooley and his Consort of Musicke. Having risen from humble beginnings as a skiffle player in Yorkshire(!) Anthony Rooley now enjoys an international reputation in various fields: as player, music director, writer and film maker – all related to the pioneering and live performance of forgotten masterpieces of the Renaissance. |
| The two halves of her programme for this concert provide a complete contrast. The first features John Dowland, but not in his more commonly heard melancholy style (one contemporary described him as 'living a life of lawful merriment'!), while the second includes Anthony Holborne and Coprario's magnificent song cycle to words by Thomas Campion on the untimely death at only 18 of James VI's eldest son, Henry, Prince of Wales. The whole evening gives an overview of the history and culture of the period. |
| ‘Emma’s clear, agile voice remains the quintessence of pure sound in the singing of early music’ Financial Times |
| ‘One of the treasures of the world of music’ Sunday Telegraph |
| Sponsored by James, Holyoak & Parker Chartered Accountants |