2020 / 2021
Sadly, we have had to cancel all recitals for 2020 but are working on a programme for 2021 – assuming we can get back to something like normal conditions.
We have provisionally booked musicians for the following dates and we would be grateful for your help by clicking on those events for which you might buy tickets when they go ‘live’.
By doing so it will be enormously helpful and enable us to monitor the situation. And we will keep you posted.
2021
April 10th or 17th or May 1st – The Royal College of Music with Michael Chance
This performance is a very popular annual event masterminded and directed by Michael Chance, our Musical Advisor. He is not only Professor of Voice at three of the most prestigious music colleges in the world but also the Artistic Director and CEO of Grange Festival in Hampshire which is inundated with rave reviews since his advent onto the board and executive team. He was awarded the CBE for his services to music and teaching and brings with him to Raynham the most senior students of voice from the Royal College of Music. The choice of opera or songs will be confirmed at a later date. Rest assured, whatever the music and whichever the date the audience will be competing for places.
May 22nd – The Oxford Bach Soloists
June 5th or 12th – Songs of Innocence & Experience (Alexander Chance, Guy Cutting & Roger Vignoles)
Music by Purcell and Britten
Alexander Chance – countertenor; Guy Cutting – tenor; Roger Vignoles – pianoforte
Alexander has performed here with The Gesualdo Six and with his father Michael. His fluent ‘dark chocolate’ countertenor voice blends seamlessly with Guy’s clear tenor timbre and we are very fortunate to have the distinguished Vignoles on fortepiano underpinning this brilliant performance of two of the most lyrical of British composers
July 3rd or 10th – Mahan Esfahani
Mahan’s visit to Raynham is always a Norfolk highlight. This most exciting of keyboard players loves Raynham and its Dragon harpsichord. The very fine instrument was made by Alan Gotto; 2020 would have been the 10th anniversary of its arrival. So for 2021 we are thinking of commissioning a very, very large dragon cake to celebrate. More news later. Exact details of the programme will be posted on the website in 2021. This is all in hope of a respite from Covid-19 restrictions as we cannot stage any concerts without a reasonably full audience.
October 2nd or 9th – From London to Venice via Paris
Matthew Wadsworth (theorbo & Lute), Julia Doyle (soprano) and Nathaniel Mander (harpsichord)
17th century London and Venice were veritable melting pots for artistic talent, scandal and creative thinkers alike. What better to evoke the passions and torments of life in London than the wonderfully fused song, art and poetry of John Dowland and Henry Purcell and, in Venice, by the exquisite masterpieces of three of the most daring composers of the time; Francesca Caccini, Claudio Monteverdi and Barbara Strozzi. A wonderful blend of poetry and music, which is as moving to the soul today as it was 400 years ago. With a sizzling early C18th Royer intervention by Nathaniel Mander on the harpsichord which will have you sitting on the edge of your seats.