Thu 24 Sep |
MID-WALES OPERA |
| 'The Marriage of Figaro' |
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7:30pm |
| Martin Lloyd-Jones director Mozart's most popular opera in an exciting new production with an accomplished cast drawn from the national opera companies. |
| Full details & booking in Theatre Severn Autumn Brochure Tel: 01743 281281 |
| Sponsored by Shropshire Music Trust |
| Refer to Severn Theatre brochure for £ prices |
Sun 4 Oct |
WIHAN QUARTET |
| Complete Beethoven String Quartets I |
Maidment Hall, Shrewsbury School, 7:30pm |
| Quartet Op 18 No1 |
| Quartet Op 14 No1 |
| Quartet Op 59 No1 'Rasumovsky' |
| "Richly rewarding readings ... their vision of each work carries with it the insight of long, deep mutual experience, achingly intense and beautifully controlled. We're promised the middle and early quartets before the year is out. I can't wait". The Sunday Times |
| In association with Shrewsbury School |
| £13.00 (Child: FREE) |
Lunchtime Concert |
Mon 12 Oct. 1:00 - 2:00pm |
St.Mary's Church, Shrewsbury |
| Laura Mitchell, soprano & Ahmed Dickenson, guitar |
| Flavours of Spanish flare meet the beauty of classic English folklore mixed with a good dash of rythmical Cuban spice! |
| Programme includes works by Manuel de Falla, Rodrigo, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Campion, Roth, Cordero, Villa Lobos. |
| These international award winning performers invite you for a lunchtime of humour, beauty and stories of love. |
| Bring your Lunch - Tea & Coffee available |
| Tickets on door or SMT postal Box Office only |
| £5.00 (Child: £2.50) |
Tue 27 Oct |
ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA |
St. Chad's Church. Shrewsbury, 7:30pm |
| Paul Watkins, conductor William Bennett, flute |
| Sponsored by James, Holyoak & Parker, Chartered Accountants |
| Britten - Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge |
| Mozart - Flute Concerto in D K314 |
| Huw Watkins - Three Welsh Songs for Strings (new ECO commission, premiered 2009) |
| Mozart - Symphony No.40 in G minor K550 |
| One of the 'world's greatest living orchestras' the ECO 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 50 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. |
| The programme reflects the ECO's place in Britain's musical heritage and includes an exciting short new piece commissioned by the ECO for its Patron HRH The Prince of Wales' 60th birthday. Benjamin Britten was a major influence on the ECO in the 1960s and the "Frank Bridge Variations" is one of his most delightful works. Mozart has always been at the centre of the ECO's repertoire; the much-loved Symphony No.40 needs no introduction whilst the lighthearted Flute Concerto in D will be performed tonight by one of Europe's top flautists, the legendary William Bennett. |
| £19.00 (Child: £9.50) - Gallery is £3.00 less (obscured view) |
Sun 8 Nov |
WIHAN QUARTET |
| Complete Beethoven String Quartets II |
Concord College, Acton Burnell, 3:00pm |
| Quartet Op 18 No 2 |
| Quartet Op 74 'The Harp' |
| Quartet Op 131 |
| "The Wihans get to the heart of the matter. Experiencing these works live by a top quartet is one of life's great musical experiences". The Observer |
| In association with Concord College |
| £13.00 (Child: FREE) |
Fri 13 Nov |
INNOVATION CHAMBER ENSEMBLE |
St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, 7:30pm |
| Zoe Beyers violin, Jane Wright violin, Adam Romer viola, Angela Swanson viola, Richard Jenkinson cello |
| Mendelssohn - Quintet Op 18 in A |
| Vaughan Williams - Phantasy Quintet |
| Brahms - Quintet No 2 in G Op 111 |
| A welcome return to the Innovations - these well-loved masters of the sparkling conductor-less performance, with another of their always successful specially designed and imaginative programmes. This concert celebrates the wonderful combination of two violins, two violas and cello - the works included here show the three composers writing at the top of their game. |
| Mendelssohn, the 200th anniversary of whose birth is celebrated in 2009, was without doubt the most precociously gifted composer the world has ever known: not even Mozart produced 'mature' masterpieces while still in his teens. His first quintet dates from the same time as the great Octet and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and was written when he was just seventeen. |
| Vaughan Williams was himself a viola player and his Phantasy Quintet is a work of sublime beauty evoking the English countryside. |
| Brahms wrote his second quintet amid the rural tranquillity of Upper Austria and it fully displays his standing at the pinnacle of the composition of chamber music. |
| "Excellent ... quite outstanding. Seldom have we heard string-playing sing in this way". The Observer |
| £15.00 (Child: £7.50) - Side aisles (limited view) £1 less |
Tue 15 DEC |
EX CATHEDRA |
| Christmas by Candlelight |
St. Chad's Church, 7:30pm |
| The always packed, now traditional, and ever popular unique celebration of seasonal music with readings. |
| Book Early! |
| Sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler, Solicitors |
| £16.00 (Child: £8.00) - Gallery is £3.00 less (obscured view) |
Sun 24 JAN |
WIHAN QUARTET |
| Complete Beethoven String Quartets III |
The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, 3:00pm |
| Quartet Op 18 No 3 |
| Quartet Op 59 No 3 'Rasumovsky' |
| Quartet Op 127 |
| "This is playing of the highest order ... great accuracy and tightness of ensemble ... delicacy and charm yet also tremendous energy and unrelenting dynamism … Thoroughly recommended". The Strad |
| Special Lunch Tickets from The Lion |
| £13.00 (Child: FREE) |
Spring Jazz Saturday |
March 2010 |
| Watch out for this groundbreaking project which will appear again at another new venue in Shropshire - Church Stretton School - Workshops for Jazz players and an Introduction to Jazz for young musicians who want to learn more |
| £ tba |
New! Workshops for Adults (by popular demand) |
| Evening concert for all! Experienced jazz tutors - great music, great fun. (In conjunction with the Helen Sanders Jazz Fund) |
| lnfo:SMT 01952 510375 or 01743 790769 |
| £ tba |
Sun 7 Feb |
WIHAN QUARTET |
| Complete Beethoven String Quartets IV |
Maidment Hall, Shrewsbury School, 7:30pm |
| Quartet Op 18 No 4 |
| Quartet Op 95 'Serioso' |
| Quartet Op 132 |
| "Excellent! ... their fiery interpretations do full justice to Beethoven's masterpieces". The Independent. |
| In association with Shrewsbury School |
| £13.00 (Child: FREE) |
Sat 20 Feb |
Consort 1700 |
Concord College, Acton Burnell, 7:30pm |
| Martyn Shaw, baroque flute |
| Emma Dixon, baroque cello |
| Charlotte Wilson, harpsichord |
| Jenni France, soprano |
| 'A European Grand Tour' - following the route of the traditional grand tour of early 18th century Europe experiencing the music of Europe's cultural centres - from Handel's London through Germany and into the lavish courts of France and Italy. |
| Programme includes: Corelli, Hotteterre, Geminiani, JS Bach, WF Bach, Platti, John Blow, cantatas by Handel, Monteclair, Telemann, Vivaldi, A Scarlatti and songs such as Handel's Nine German Arias |
| The dynamic, flexible chamber ensemble Consort 1700 was formed in 2005 uniting the most talented graduates from three of the UK's leading conservatoires, and since its inception has built a strong reputation for creative programming and accessibility - presenting vibrant concerts with a refreshingly relaxed and engaging approach. |
| Amongst their many performances to date the ensemble has recently performed for the Leeds International Concert Season, the Ripon International Festival and at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. They regularly collaborate with leading young instrumentalists, singers and composers and this year were supported by Arts Council England to establish the first Manchester Baroque Festival. |
Members of Yehudi Menuhin's Live Music Now! Scheme |
| Sponsored by James, Holyoak & Parker, Chartered Accountants |
| In association with Concord College |
| £14.00 (Child: £7.00) |
Fri 12 MAR |
JAMES SHERWOOD 'At the Piano' |
Mulberry Theatre, The Gateway, Shrewsbury, 7:30pm |
| SONY AWARD NOMINEE 2009 - BEST COMEDY (WRITER, THE NOW SHOW) |
| Ever wondered what would happen if Bill Bailey and Marcus Brigstocke had a child!... |
| After sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival and many other venues, this Private Eye, Now Show and News Quiz writer/musician wows Shrewsbury with his show 'At the Piano'. |
| Following in the footsteps of the likes of Flanders and Swann, John Amis and Richard Stilgoe, this young comedian and musician (he is also a professional choral singer! seamlessly interweaves the political and satirical into his inspired ditties accompanying himself on the keyboard James also regularly reviews the newspapers on Sky News, writes a regular blog on the Guardian website and is a regular writer, contributor and guest on all the main BBC comedy shows including Mock the Week (TV) and Loose Ends. |
| Treat yourself to an evening of relaxed mirth, clever satire and terrific musical sillyness! |
| "A natural heir to the respected English tradition of intelligent, imaginative and inventive musical satire". The Guardian |
| "Brilliantly conceived and very tunny ... a phenomenal stage presence". Time Out |
| "Fantastic-savage satire ... piercing, sharp, precise and ingenious". The Sunday Times |
| Sponsored by Reprographix |
| Tickets from the Gateway (from 1st Jan) and SMT postal Box Office only |
| Suitable from 16 yrs + |
| Bar facilities |
| £10.00 (Child 16+: £5.00) |
Fri 26 Mar |
'A NIGHT AT THE OPERA' |
Drayton Festival Centre, Market Drayton, 7:30pm |
| Claire Prewer, soprano |
| Benjamin Frith, piano |
| Richard Jenkinson, cello |
| Operas featured include: Purcell Dido & Aeneas, Mozart Magic Flute & Don Giovanni, Rossini Barber of Seville & Moses, Puccini Madame Butterfly, Verdi II forza del destino & Rigoletto and Wagner Flying Dutchman &Tristan and Isolde. |
| An evening that will take you on a whirlwind tour of the world of opera with the awarding winning pianist Benjamin Frith and the husband and wife team of CBSO cellist Richard Jenkinson and the wonderful soprano Claire Prewer. Fiendishly difficult and virtuosic concert transcriptions by Liszt, Beethoven, Buxton Orr, Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Paganini appear alongside your favourite opera arias. This show has seen rave reviews for its performances. |
| "What a glorious night of music this turned out to be - three world class individuals performing the very best of opera. I had to keep pinching myself for yes we really were in Birmingham and yes we really were hearing music this good …" Birmingham Post |
| Local Box Office: Festival Centre Tel: 01630 654444 |
| In association with the Drayton Festival Centre Management |
| £12.00 (Child: £6.00) |
Sun 18 Apr |
WIHAN QUARTET |
| Complete Beethoven String Quartets V |
The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, 3:00pm |
| Quartet Op 18 No 5 |
| Quartet Op 135 |
| Quartet Op 59 No 2 'Rasumovsky' |
| "Played with passion and alacrity ... lightness of touch ... beautiful clarity ... splendid vigour International". Record Review |
| Special Lunch Tickets from The Lion |
| £13.00 (Child: FREE) |
Tue 27 Apr |
ZUM |
| 'Gypsy Tango Pasion' |
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 7:30pm |
| Adam Summerhayes, violin |
| Chris Grist, cello |
| Jani Pensola, bass |
| Dave Gordon, piano |
| Eddie Hession, accordion |
| ZUM creates an acoustic meltdown - a cultural alchemy, where the world's music collides |
| From magical tenderness and haunting, intoxicating harmonies to awesome explosions of sound and rhythmic power ... ZUM has stormed the UK with its stunning fusion combining the fire and brilliance of Eastern European gypsy fiddle music with the hot-blooded passion of Argentinian Tango, enjoying sell-outs from foreign tours to London's South Bank. |
| ZUM performs 'Nuevo Tango' masterpieces by Astor Piazzolla and music from the golden era of tango, alongside addictive traditional gypsy melodies and dazzling virtuoso fiddling. The band add their own compelling original material, inspired by both gypsy and tango, lightly spiced with a host of influences from klezmer to bebop - sophisticated threads of jazz connecting with gypsy, Celtic, salsa, bluegrass, klezmer, arabic, calypso and tango to create a stunning new sound. |
| "Absolutely intoxicating ... unbuttoned passion and brilliance ... virtuoso performances". The Times |
| "Fiery, passionate and intriguingly beautiful ... A delight to hear and a treat to watch". BBC |
| "If you get a chance to see this band, forget whatever other plans you have and get yourself out for an evening - I guarantee you won't be disappointed". What's On, London |
| With the support of Leasowes Bank Arts Festival Theatre Severn bookings start late Nov. |
| £16.00 (Child: £8.00) |
Fri 30 Apr |
'ROSTROPOVICH'S CONCERT' |
| Richard Jenkinson, cello |
St.Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, 7.45pm |
A Re-enactment of Mstislav Rostropovich's Birthday Present to Paul Sacher |
| Specially commissioned short works by some of the finest contemporary composers: Ginistera, Lutoslawski, Dutilleux, Henze, Berio, Boulez, Britten, Fortner, Beck, Halffter, Holliger and Huber |
| A programme celebrating the concert which the great Russion cellist Mstislav Rostropovich played on 2nd May 1976 for the 70th birthday of the famous Swiss conductor/patron Paul Sacher (who commissioned Bartok's Divertimento and Strauss' Metamorphosen amongst other masterworks) re-enacted here midway between the concert and his birth date of 28 April. |
| Rostropovich commissioned the twelve composers to write a piece each and played them all in the special concert at Tonhalle, Zurich.The exciting varied works have been released together on disc but the concert itself has never been re-enacted live until now. This formidable challenge is undertaken with his usual outstanding competence and panache by one of our leading British cellists - marking a musically historic occasion and giving an overview of many of the 20th century's most significant composers. |
| Richard has personal connections with several of the composers represented and will introduce the works which range from the Ginistera-based on Andean folk tunes, to the Dutilleux which is in the tradition of Debussy and Ravel. |
| In association with St.Chad's Festival (30 Apr - 3 May Tel: 01743 365478) |
| £10.00 (Child: £5.00) - Side aisles (limited view) £1 less |
Sun 2 May |
WIHAN QUARTET |
| Complete Beethoven String Quartets VI |
Concord College, Acton Burnell, 3:00pm |
| Quartet Op 18 No 6 |
| Quartet Op 130 with Op 133 'Grosse Fuge' |
| "The excellent Wihans bring fine musicianship and expressive energy to these complex, humane and spiritual masterpieces". Gramophone |
| In association with Concord College |
| £13.00 (Child: FREE) |
LUNCHTIME CONCERTS at THE GATEWAY |
| Chester Street, Shrewsbury Tel. 01743 355159 |
Monthly Thursdays - 1.00p.m. |
| - featuring local professional musicians and giving a platform to talented young players - |
| Also - occasional Sunday Afternoon concerts |
| Promoted by Shrewsbury & District Arts Association |
| Details from Muriel Williamson |
| 01743850267 Email rnuriel_williamson@lmeone.net |
| Lunchtime Concerts also at: |
Shrewsbury Abbey - Wednesdays |
St.Chad's Church - Fridays |
Lunchtime Concert |
Mon 17 May |
St.Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, 1.00-2.00pm |
| W3 Wind Trio |
| Sarah Douglas, clarinet |
| Frances Black, oboe |
| Steve Burnett, bassoon |
| This vibrant young trio of soloists present an exciting mix of older, 20th century and contemporary original works for reed trio. They met at the Royal College of Music and have performed in all the major concert halls, at Buckingham Palace, on Radio 3 and on Channel 4. |
Members of Yehudi Menuhin's Live Music Now! Scheme |
| Tickets on door or SMT postal Box Office only |
| School parties welcome |
| £5.00 (Child: £2.50) |
Sun 23 May |
MANCHESTER CAMERATA |
Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry, 3:00pm |
| Thomas Gould, leader / director |
| Kathryn Stott, piano |
| Mozart - Symphony No 31 in D 'Paris' |
| Mozart - Piano Concerto in D min K466 |
| Haydn - Symphony No 104 in D 'London' |
| One of the UK's finest chamber orchestras, Manchester Camerata has won an enviable reputation for delivering high quality concerts in a refreshingly relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They are orchestra in residence at The Bridgewater Hall and the Royal Northern College of Music and, embody the energy, innovation and vibrant creativity for which that city is famed - this season performing at the Proms and with Lesley Garratt on her UK tour. They appear in Oswestry with 'one of the rising stars in classical music' (top of the Evening Standard listings) - the prodigiously talented, stunning young violinist, Thomas Gould who is already elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. |
| Kathryn Stott is one of Britains's most versatile and imaginative musicians. Since her success in the Leeds Piano Competition in 1978, her array of varied musical connections is impressive from international concerto soloist to chamber partner of numerous famous players (such as Yo-Yo Ma, Natalie Clein and the Lindsay, Skampa and Endellion quartets), recording artist with Chandos, artistic director of numerous major festivals. |
| The programme takes the audience on a whistlestop trip around the capital cities of Europe, with Mozart's vivacious 'Paris' Symphony, Haydn's well-loved Symphony No104 written in London and with references to Croatian folk tunes, stopping off in Vienna for Mozart's dramatic Piano Concerto K466, written and premiered in that city. |
Local Box Office: Music Makers, Albion Hill, Oswestry Tel: 01691 654510 |
| In association with Oswestry School Recital Series (Tel: 01691 681135) |
| £16.00 (Child: £8.00) |
Thur 3 Jun |
THE SIXTEEN |
| The Choral Pilgrimage 2010 |
St. Chad's Church, Shrewsbury, 7:30pm |
| 'TREASURES OF RENAISSANCE ENGLAND' |
| Tallis, Sheppard and Byrd |
| Following their triumphant appearance in 2008 (recorded live by BBC Radio 3) Shrewsbury is fortunate to have been invited again to be a venue for the always packed Choral Pilgrimage, the annual tour of our finest cathedrals - bringing music back to the buildings for which it was written. |
| This specially designed a cappella programme celebrates the glorious English sacred music of the pre- and post-Reformation by three major Renaissance composers. |
| At the centre is John Sheppard's Media Vita - a staggering achievement not only in sheer size but also in its expression which is at times almost overwhelming. It is complemented by great works by two other towering figures of the period, William Byrd and Thomas Tallis. All three composers wrote both for the established and Roman Catholic churches and were involved with the controversies between them - but their prolific, polyphonic music is always inspiring and glorious. |
| 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 |
| £22.00 (Child: £11.00) - Gallery is £3.00 less (obscured view) |