St George's Bristol - Winter 2021 - Spring 2022 brochure by St George's Bristol

WINTER 2021 — SPRING 2022

B O O K N OW stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

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Welcome

t is both a relief and an inspiration to be able to say that St George’s Bristol is fully and gloriously open again. We have been welcoming new and returning visitors daily over the last few months, and now we are pleased to share with you details of our programme of talented and eclectic artists lined up for Spring 2022. We have been busy behind the scenes too, and we want to take this opportunity to tell you a little more about some of the less visible activity that takes place at St George’s, alongside our central mission of bringing wonderful live music experiences to you. We have each had cause, in varying degrees over the last two years, to reflect on our role in our wider society and on what is really important to us. For St George’s, this includes doing what we can to support people in our local community as the world returns to ‘normal’. We are working with charities and organisations as diverse as Women’s Work Lab, which supports unemployed mums to become work ready; City of Bristol College through a supported internship; and the Bristol Somali community by providing creative sessions for young people to explore their heritage through dance and drama. We have some great news stories too. In September, St George’s was the Overall Winner of the prestigious Schüco Excellence Awards 2021 for architecture, for our beautiful new building. St George’s was also the Steel Project Winner as well as Overall Winner, although the praise really must go to the building’s architects, Patel Taylor. We were also short-listed as Finalists in the Bristol Life awards in the arts category.

Manchester Collective performing Voice of the Whale here at St George's, Autumn 2021

W ELCO M E

Our Chief Executive, Samir Savant, has been acclimatising to his new adopted home of Bristol, taking great delight in exploring hidden corners of the city’s urban landscape and history. Having spent five years as Festival Director of the London Handel Festival, he is already discovering surprising connections between his first and latest loves — Handel and Bristol. You can also read about two major projects from our Head of Programme, Ben Spencer. Nature Reconnect is an ambitious year-long series of events which invite us to return to deeply human connections to the wild and to nature, and in his piece on Manchester Collective, Ben shares insights on these brilliant and innovative musicians, as part of St George’s associate orchestra programme. In exploring the pages that follow, familiar readers may see some changes to the format they would usually see in a St George’s brochure. Each time we produce material like this, we carefully consider what you would like to see. We want to be as welcoming as we can to everyone; providing a warm invitation to people who are just discovering St George’s as well as giving detailed information to the beloved audiences who have been an integral part of our venue for many years. For this edition, we have combined essential event information to help you select events and book tickets, alongside more insights into our programme. We hope it makes for an enjoyable read and we very much look forward to seeing you at St George’s soon.

Catrin Finch

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Christmas at St George’s

rom traditional carols to rousing folk and the brilliance of Baroque festive music, we’re sure you’ll find something you love at St George's this festive season. And on 2 January we are thrilled to host the Welsh National Opera Orchestra for their special Viennese New Year's concert.

Renewal Choir Time To Rise SATU R DAY 27 N OVEM B ER | 7.3 0 P M | £ 16

An uplifting, dynamic, soul-stirring gospel extravaganza.

Lord Mayor’s Christmas Appeal Concert W ED N E S DAY 1 D ECEM B ER | 7 P M | £ 12

A festive evening of carols in aid of the Lord Mayor's charities.

Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band T U E S DAY 7 D ECEM B ER | 7.3 0 P M £ 28 | £ 24.5 0

A unique celebratory show of Christmas music on renaissance and modern instruments.

Septura FR I DAY 10 D ECEM B ER | 7.3 0 P M £ 24 | £ 2 0 | £ 15 |

An irresistible offering from this dazzling brass ensemble, including pieces from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and Handel’s Messiah.

Bristol Bach Choir Spirit of Christmas S AT U R DAY 11 D ECEM B ER | 7.3 0 P M £ 23 | £ 16 | £ 12

Sparkling, uplifting choral music and witty readings. Supporting St Peter’s Hospice.

Cara Dillon Upon A Winter’s Night W ED N E S DAY 15 D ECEM B ER | 8 P M | £ 25

HERO IMAGES / COLLAGE 4

Celtic and folksy rhythms woven alongside reverent and atmospheric carols.

CH R I S TM A S

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Christmas Crackers

Bristol Ensemble & City of Bristol Choir Festive Fiesta

FR I DAY 17 D ECEM B ER | 7 P M | £35 — £ 15

T U E S DAY 21 D ECEM B ER | 7.3 0 P M £ 28 | £ 25 | £ 18 | £ 14

A Baroque celebration and jubilation, from Bach to Buxtehude, to Corelli and Schultz.

Bristol Ensemble & City of Bristol Choir Christmas Spectacular S ATU R DAY 18 D ECEM B ER | 7.3 0 £ 28 | £ 25 | £ 18 | £ 14

A wonderfully entertaining and uplifting evening of Christmas music and readings.

Children’s Christmas Carnival SU N DAY 19 D ECEM B ER | 2 P M | 4 P M £ 7 CH I LD | £ 14 A D U LT + CH I LD

Get Christmas off to a brilliant start with enchanting music from The Snowman.

Bristol Ensemble A Baroque Christmas SU N DAY 19 D ECEM B ER | 8 P M £ 25 | £ 18 | £ 14 | £ 12

Baroque festive music including Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, arias from Handel’s Messiah, and Bach’s Concerto for 2 Violins.

Bristol Ensemble & Exultate Singers Christmas Spectacular

There will be plenty of audience participation in this sparkling seasonal concert.

Bristol Ensemble & Choir of Royal Holloway Handel’s Messiah W ED N E S DAY 22 D ECEM B ER | 7 P M £ 28 | £ 25 | £ 18 | £ 14

Experience Handel’s masterpiece brought to life in this vital, semi-staged performance.

Awake Arise! TH U R S DAY 23 D ECEM B ER | 8 P M £ 18 | £ 15

Five of the English folk scene’s most inventive artists celebrate our varied winter traditions.

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Return to Vienna SU N DAY 2 J A N UA RY | 4 P M | £5 5 — £ 15

Isabelle Peters S O PR A N O Adam Gilbert T EN O R The WNO Orchestra returns with its dazzling New Year’s concert — a rousing programme of waltzes (including Strauss, of course!), polkas, and maybe even a few surprises.

M O N DAY 20 D ECEM B ER 7.3 0 P M | £ 28 | £ 25 | £ 18 | £ 14

The accomplished orchestra and chamber choir join forces again for this spectacular concert.

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Welcome to our Classical Spring Season

􀈊 Samir Savant

C H I EF E X EC U T I V E

here has been a gradual return of audiences to concert halls across the country, in recent months, and it has been wonderful to witness so many great live performances at St George’s. If you have not made it back to us yet, we hope you will be tempted by the Classical Spring Season, and we wanted to reassure you that we are taking our responsibilities as a venue coming out of the pandemic seriously. If you have any worries or anxieties at all, please contact our friendly Box Office team before the event, or our professional Duty Management staff at the event itself. Our classical music programme this Spring has the usual variety of artists which our audiences have come to expect from St George’s, and I am delighted to share news about our excellent lunchtime concert series below. We follow special anniversaries and themes, so please read my pieces about Handel and Vaughan Williams & Scriabin, but in general I am inspired that our programme can only be described as ‘purposefully eclectic’! Paul Lewis

Rachel Podger

We kick off the New Year in style with Welsh National Opera Orchestra on 2 January with their popular Viennese programme, including rousing music by Strauss and Lehar, featuring WNO Associate Artists Soprano Isabelle Peters and Tenor Adam Gilbert. After their striking debut concerts in the autumn, Manchester Collective return on Friday 11 February with Copeland’s evergreen Appalachian Spring together with lesser-known works by Górecki and Busoni. In March we see the return of several St George’s favourites. On 4 March, Richard Tunnicliffe continues his exploration of Bach’s Cello Suites alongside more contemporary music by Kenneth Leighton and Peter Sculthorpe. Then on 11 March, Paul Lewis gives a beautifully varied programme to include Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy’s Children’s Corner. Internationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Podger makes a welcome return on 18 March with a programme of Beethoven and Mozart sonatas, and then on 22 March, principal players of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra present an evening of romantic chamber music, including Dvořák’s ‘American’ String Quartet in F. We close our Spring evening concerts season on 22 April with Manchester Collective, featuring charismatic cellist Abel Selaocoe, and Chesaba — a trio specialising in music from the African continent.

Look out for our Cavatina concerts Free tickets for 8-25 year olds to selected chamber concerts. Please ask at our Box Office. Visit cavatina.net for details

CL A S S I C A L S PR I N G S E A S O N

Mayumi Kanagawa

Lunchtime Concerts Our lunchtime concerts are a popular way to spend an hour in the middle of a busy day, listening to the most beautiful music, performed by some of the most talented emerging artists in the UK today. It has been wonderful to see our Café buzzing with audiences for our lunchtime concerts enjoying a soup and a sandwich with friends before the music.

Anastasia Kobekina

Quatuor Mona

In 2022, we renew our efforts to promote the very best rising talent in classical music. I urge you to come and give these wonderful musicians your support, you are guaranteed to see the future stars of international concert halls right here at St George’s. We already work with Young Concert Artists Trust (YCAT) and the Tillett Trust; in the future you will also see artists from our new partnership with the Royal Overseas League. I am also delighted to welcome back BBC Radio 3 to St George’s with their New Generation Artists scheme, everything from brass ensemble to solo violin. Radio 3 will record each of their recitals live for later broadcast, which is a great way for us to bring the special atmosphere and famous acoustics of St George’s to audiences across the world.

'the best acoustic for chamber music in Europe' Sir Simon Rattle CO N D U C TO R

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WNO Orchestra Return to Vienna SU N DAY 2 J A N UA RY | 4 P M £5 5 | £35 | £3 0 | £ 25 | £ 15

Isabelle Peters S O PR A N O Adam Gilbert T EN O R Welsh National Opera Orchestra presents its sparklingly successful — and welltravelled — New Year’s concert with a rousing programme of waltzes, polkas and maybe even a few surprises — a toe-tapping evening of Strauss, Lehar and much much more.

Roy Ayers Everybody Loves The Sunshine 45th Anniversary Tour SU N DAY 23 J A N UA RY | 7 P M D O O R S | £ 25

Roy Ayers, cited as a major influence by Pharrell Williams, Erykah Badu and a host of other artists, reached legendary status years ago and is still going strong.

Steve Banks Quintet Emboldened — launch and film premiere TH U R S DAY 27 J A N UA RY | 8 P M £ 15 | £ 7.5 0 FU LL-TI M E S TU D ENT S GL A S S S T U D I O

Emboldened is a soaring suite of music composed by guitarist Steve Banks during the 2021 lockdown. A series of original animated films by Chris Lucas accompany the music — immersive, uplifting and unexpected. Funded by Arts Council England.

Takács Quartet FR I DAY 28 J A N UA RY | 7.3 0 P M £35 | £3 0 | £ 25 | £ 2 0 | > Haydn Quartet

No 4 Op 76 in F > Dvořák Quartet Op 51 > Ravel Quartet

J A N UA RY | FEB R UA RY

Philosophical Times with Julian Baggini S AT U R DAY 29 J A N UA RY 10.3 0 —11.3 0 A M | £ 7

Join the brilliant writer, thinker and St George’s resident philosopher, Julian Baggini, as he explores some of the big ideas that connect with and emerge from this week’s news stories. Sit back and enjoy the live conversation or take part as much as you like — this is always a lively and inspiring discussion!

Bristol Classical Players S AT U R DAY 29 J A N UA RY 7.3 0 P M | £ 18 | £ 16

Charlotte Newstead S O LO I S T > Verdi Overture

to I Vespri Siciliani Last Songs > Vaughan Williams A London Symphony > Strauss Four

Slapstick Festival SU N DAY 3 0 J A N UA RY VA R I O US TI M E S A N D PR I CE S

Bristol’s Slapstick Festival returns to St George’s for a special series of events with some of the UK’s finest comedy talent including Richard Herring in conversation for his podcast, Armando Iannucci discussing his long career in satire, grumpy old man Arthur Smith and much more. For details see slapstick.org.uk

Teddy Thompson W ED N E S DAY 2 FEB R UA RY 7.3 0 P M | £ 25

‘One of the most gifted singer-songwriters of his generation’ T H E N E W YO R K T I M ES , Teddy Thompson has collaborated with the likes of Rufus and Martha Wainwright and recorded five critically acclaimed albums.

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Two brilliant festivals return to St George's

his Spring we’re delighted to welcome back two vibrant local festivals with exciting artistic lineups, one of them a veteran of the Bristol scene, the other a newish kid on the block. The Slapstick Festival went online in 2021 but is now returning in the flesh, bigger and better than ever, at the end of January. Lyra — Bristol Poetry Festival pulled an amazing digital edition out of the hat in 2021, and they too will be back live and kicking, across the first half of April. Lyra 2022 explores the theme of Breaking Boundaries: New Worlds looking at poetry across cultures, poetry merging with other art forms, poetry in translation, and more. The festival combines high artistic ambition with a fierce commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and the aim is to showcase poetry in the widest range of forms. Their values shine brightly in the programme which brings together local, national and international poets and includes readings, spoken word, poetry slams, writing workshops, panel discussions, screenings and walking tours. They believe passionately, as we do, that poetry is for everyone to enjoy and participate in — and they put Bristol creative communities at the heart of what they do.

Lyra Festival

St George’s hosts three fantastic Lyra events in the second weekend of April. The first is with patron saint of British poetry Roger McGough (8 April), reading from his new collection Safety in Numbers which examines, with his trademark wit and acute eye, the strangeness of the times we have been living in. The second is the regional showcase of Poetry by Heart (10 April), a free (ticketed) celebration of the national poetry speaking competition with children and young people performing their chosen poems live from the St George’s stage. The third is a Lyra audience favourite, the raucous Poetry Grand Slam Finals (10 April) with Bristol’s finest wordsmiths battling it out to be crowned 2022 champion. This will be a fitting finale to another bounteous celebration of the word. You can find out more about other Lyra 2022 events by keeping an eye on the festival website. Lyra Poetry Slam

LY R A | S L A P S TI CK FE S TI VA L

Buster Keaton

Armando Iannucci

Slapstick 2022 is the 18th edition of the festival and it continues to grow and blossom with a cornucopia of silent and visual comedy delights. Highlights include David Mitchell at Bristol Cathedral discussing his top comedy moments of all time; a gala evening of silent film and live music hosted by Steven Mangan, including a screening of Buster Keaton’s 1928 masterpiece The Cameraman; Tim Vine on why we should all take the time to rediscover his comedy hero, Kenny Everett; plus an onstage appearance from comedy legend Barry Cryer. Richard Herring

At St George’s a feast of top comedy names will be taking to the stage as part of Slapstick Sunday on 30 January. Join comedian and writer Richard Herring as he interviews a high-profile guest, soon to be announced, in the style of his award-winning podcast, pulling no punches and prying for the most hilarious and surprising stories. Next up, the irrepressibly brilliant Armando Iannucci shares his thoughts with fellow writer Robin Ince on how satire entertains, informs, shapes opinions and adapts to the times. And following that Arthur Smith — one of the stand-ups who revolutionised the world of light entertainment in the ‘80s and ‘90s — vents his off-the-wall humour, anecdotes, short stories, poems and songs, and a generous helping of sass. The Slapstick Festival, revered nationally for the quality of its screenings, music commissions, talks and guests — for its tireless and tirelessly creative championing of silent and vintage comedy — runs events throughout the year as well, and places a premium on developing new audiences for the artform. Keep an eye on our website for more details. lyrafest.com | slapstick.org.uk

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Mayumi Kanagawa Lunchtime Concert TH U R S DAY 3 FEB R UA RY | 1 P M £8.5 0 | > Mozart Violin

Sonata in F No 25 K377 Divertimento, transcription Stravinsky & Dushkin (after The Fairy’s Kiss) > Gershwin 3 preludes arr. Heifetz > Stravinsky

Mayumi Kanagawa is a YCAT artist.

John Law’s Congregration + Hippo TH U R S DAY 3 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M | £ 15

One of the UK’s most imaginative and adventurous pianists John Law has assembled a stellar band to present his new album Congregation, with Bristol powerhouse futurejazz trio Hippo opening the night with their muscular mix of synths and sax.

Iyad Sughayer SU N DAY 6 FEB R UA RY | 4 P M £ 25 | £ 20 | £ 15 | £ 10 > Schubert

Four Impromptus Op 90 Ottaway Levantina > Khachaturian Masquerade Suite > Helen

On the brink of a brilliant international career, award winning concert pianist Iyad Sughayer makes his long awaited debut at St George's.

Bristol Palestine Film Festival SU N DAY 6 FEB R UA RY | 7 P M £ 14 | GL A S S S TU D I O

3 short films from Palestine, including Liwan — a Story of Cultural Resistance Three insightful films focusing on cultural resistance in Palestine, including Liwan, an uplifting story about the struggle to establish a cultural café in Nazareth promoting Palestinian. Q&A with the director Doris Hakim, the co-founder of the cafe Sally Azzam, and award-winning journalist Jonathan Cook, plus Middle Eastern falafel wrap as part of ticket. 12

FEB R UA RY

The Residents W ED N E S DAY 9 FEB R UA RY 8 P M | £ 27.5 0

The Residents celebrate half a century of existence with their Dog Stab! tour, focusing on the band’s iconic Duck Stab! album alongside songs from the group’s latest album Metal Meat and Bone. With a few unexpected surprises in this curious and unique carnival of chaos.

Police Dog Hogan TH U R S DAY 10 FEB R UA RY | 8 P M £ 18 | £ 16

The deliciously original Police Dog Hogan are back on the road with their unique mashup of country / bluegrass influences and very British songwriting. They’ll be playing tracks from their eagerly-awaited new album Overground, as well as some of their mostloved songs.

Manchester Collective A Little Requiem FR I DAY 11 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M £ 26 | £ 23 | £ 2 0 | £ 15

The irrepressibly creative Manchester Collective return with Copland’s evergreen Appalachian Spring, bookended by the softly rocking lullaby of Busoni’s Berceuse and the mad extremes of Górecki’s Kleines Requiem.

Saxultate 2 Exultate Singers and Amy Dickson S AT U R DAY 12 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M £ 20 | £ 15 | £ 12 | H A LF PR I CE FO R S T U D ENT S I N FU LL TI M E ED U C ATI O N / U N D ER-18S

Following the success of Saxultate I, Exultate Singers team up again with the dazzling saxophonist Amy Dickson for a concert of vibrant and inventive pieces for saxophone and choir including exciting new commissions and haunting folk song arrangements. * A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

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Manchester Collective

􀈊 Ben Spencer

H E A D O F PR O G R A M M E

anchester Collective is not a conventional classical ensemble. It’s a kind of shape-shifting community of highly creative minds — not only musicians and composers, but also producers and dancers, film-makers and technicians, directors, choreographers and photographers. They have one goal in mind: to create exhilarating, extraordinary, radical experiences out of music and art. They want to do this to give listeners new meaning, new work, new art that they can relate to. All are welcome — they only ask for one thing:

'that you open your ears and let yourself listen. Really listen.'

It is this bold, adventurous vision of the modern ensemble that inspired us to invite Manchester Collective to St George’s as part of an evolving partnership. They have expanded at breakneck speed since their formation in 2016, they made their BBC Proms debut in 2021, and in the next few seasons they will be a regular feature of our own programme. Every one of their performances will be unique — moving, electrifying, vital, intense. They never fail to make an impact.

The Collective commissions new work prolifically and works in a highly collaborative way with the composers and performers it teams up with — artists including Hannah Peel, Edmund Finnis, Lyra Pramuk and Laurence Osborn. They are inspired communicators, impassioned advocates for the power of art to transform lives, and they are determined to reach new audiences by taking their music outside the concert hall into spaces such as nightclubs and factories. In the spring of 2022 the Collective visit St George’s twice, on 11 February with the contrasting musical worlds conjured by Górecki and Copland in A Little Requiem, and on 22 April with The Oracle, led by cellist Abel Selaocoe and his band. Discover more about these concerts on our website and in this brochure.

M A N CH E S TER CO LLEC TI V E

Last Spring the Collective’s good humoured Chief Executive Adam Szabo wrote a piece for Gramophone outlining the Collective’s founding principles:

Q How did Manchester Collective come about?

A We’re an artist led organisation. At the time we founded the collective in 2016 I was still playing the cello and our Music Director Rakhi had just left her position as Assistant Leader at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. We both felt that there was so much 'We commit to grow as a wonderful music available Collective, to take risks, learn, for performance, yet in the course of our professional and experiment, and for that lives we were being asked cumulative growth to inform to play only a very small segment of it. We’re keen and shape our work in the future.' to play different kinds of music and to have more agency in the way those performances look. We’d also spent I spoke to Szabo recently a long time looking out from concert platforms to find out more. to see a very homogeneous group of people in our audiences, overwhelmingly older, more affluent, whiter, and we wanted to see if we could create shows that would maybe pull in a slightly different crowd and move the needle a bit. Adam Szabo C H I EF E X EC U T I V E, M A N C H E S T ER CO L L EC T I V E

Q How did you assemble the Collective? A For our collaborators, I think the Collective was quite a compelling and attractive concept from the beginning because we wanted them to have more artistic agency, rather than always just taking direction from a conductor. A lot of the early work was about removing the barriers between performers and their audiences. The first show we did was in the basement of an old cotton mill in Manchester. It was in the round, there were 120 people crammed into a very small room, it felt like there was no divide between the audience and the players. That’s the common thread through a lot of our work, the feeling that the audience is really connected to the players and it’s a shared experience.

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Q How do you choose your collaborators and how does the collaborative process work for you? A Both Rakhi and I are attracted to collaborators who have a really distinct vision and a strongly defined sense of the musical world they want to create. That can be someone like Abel who is starring in The Oracle (coming to St George’s on 22 April) — he presents such a fully formed musical world, nobody else could ever deliver that performance. Or someone like the movement artist Blackhaine who was part of our installation Dark Days, Luminous Nights — again, if we’d used a different dancer then we would have ended up with a very different work. It’s the same with composers — we try and look for those who bring a very distinctive musical world to life. We want to create experiences that are intense for our audiences, whether it’s something intensely beautiful or intensely moving or intensely joyful — and so we collaborate with creators who saturate their work with expression of one kind or another. We’re quite paranoid about work that feels like it might be in a shade of grey, somewhere in the middle — we’re happier performing works that may be polarising for the audience, but where some may leave saying ‘Oh my god, I’m never going to forget that, it was like nothing else I’ve ever heard’. Of course, we’re not advocating that this is what all classical music should look like, but sometimes the music world needs a short sharp shock to jolt it out of complacency.

M A N CH E S TER CO LLEC TI V E

Q You’ve written about the difference between being a caretaker, someone who ‘preserves and cherishes existing work,’ and being a curator, someone who ‘creates new meaning by arranging existing and new work in a particular way.’ How important is that distinction to what Manchester Collective do? A A lot of the time in classical music it feels like the dead people in the room are more important than the living people in the room. Even if we are playing music from 1750 — where quite rightly there's a reverence for the score and for these incredible cultural artefacts — for us, the primary exchange that is happening is between a set of living performers and a set of living audience members. That’s what you need for something to feel vital. It’s never been our primary interest to just present something beautiful from the past, or to recreate the past.

Q What is the role of music in such a rapidly changing world? A We want to take listeners on a journey that is compelling, to help them see a familiar world through fresh eyes. A lot of our projects end up building a kind of meaning that comes from combining different works in unusual ways. Often that eventual meaning is something other than the meaning the composer might have had in mind when they wrote the piece. Q What’s your vision for the next few years with Manchester Collective? A What’s exciting is that the whole world of professional classical music is changing very quickly. The whole sector is starting to reach different audiences, make work in different ways, and to be part of that change and to be in a small way driving some of that change is really exciting. I don’t see our work changing hugely in terms of what it looks and feels like. I love the idea that we will always be free to get out into some tiny Yorkshire towns to play shows, and that we can do that because we subsidise those performances through performances at big concert halls or festivals. It’s how it should be, and it’s always been the central duality of what we do. We’ll keep doing the work, reaching greater audiences, and getting the music out there.

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South Asian Music Festival

Durga Ramakrishnan

SU N DAY 13 FEB R UA RY VA R I O US TI M E S A N D PR I CE S

Asian Arts Agency, in partnership with St George’s, presents an exciting day-long celebration of South Asian music featuring contemporary and classical performances and talks. Full details to be announced online in November 2021 — please check the St George’s and Asian Arts Agency’s websites. asianartsagency.co.uk

Bristol Ensemble Romantic Rhapsody M O N DAY 14 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M | £ 25

Join the Bristol Ensemble for an evening of intimate and romantic repertoire, from the sumptuous Serenade for Strings by Dvořák, to popular works by Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Schubert.

Benjamin Frances Leftwich TU E S DAY 15 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M | £ 15

Prompted by his new single Elephant — ‘a song about reconnecting with personal history’ — Benjamin Francis Leftwich is taking a more intimate show around the country. Elephant takes Ben back to his routes with signature hushed vocals over delicate guitars.

An Evening with Lloyd Cole W ED N E S DAY 16 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M £ 4 2.5 0 | £32.5 0 | £ 25

Lloyd Cole’s new album Guesswork mirrors the uncertainty of the world as you enter your third act. Mostly constructed in his Massachusetts attic space, it is his first ‘songs’ album since 2013’s universally acclaimed Standards and it sees him finally create a (mostly) electronic setting for his voice. 18

FEB R UA RY

Connaught Brass Lunchtime Concert TH U R S DAY 17 FEB R UA RY | 1 P M £8.5 0 | > Mogens

Andresen Prelude — Rheinlaender from 3 Norwegian Dances > Giovanni Battista Pergolesi arr. Verhelst Suite from Pulcinella 2.0 > Peter Longworth In Bergamo > Florence B. Price arr. Blair Adoration > Kurt Weill arr. Foster Selections from The Threepenny Opera

Lau Unplugged TH U R S DAY 17 FEB R UA RY | 8 P M £ 22 | £ 20 | £ 18 | £ 15

Folk supergroup Lau — Aidan O’Rourke, Kris Drever, Martin Green — return to their instruments’ natural soundscapes. Recreating and rearranging material from across their catalogue this will be an intimate, stripped down performance.

Gordon Buchanan 30 Years into the Wild FR I DAY 18 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M | £ 25

Gordon Buchannan has produced some of the most popular wildlife programmes on TV, showing his passion and empathy for the animal kingdom and a unique ability for revealing the hidden worlds of animals. This is a rare opportunity to discover the motivation behind his work.

Manu Delago Environ Me S AT U R DAY 19 FEB R UA RY | 8 P M £ 18 | £ 15

After collaborations with Björk, Olafur Arnalds, Cinematic Orchestra and Anoushka Shankar, world renowned Grammynominated handpan player Manu Delago transforms into a one-man orchestra, merging percussion with electronic beats and natural sounds from our environment, accompanied by stunning live visuals. * A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

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Wild Words Gulliver Travels — Journeys of a Bookworm W ED N E S DAY 23 FEB R UA RY | 10.3 0 A M £ 7 | 4 - FO R-3 GR O U P / FA M I LY TI CK E T

Join Wild Words in their latest globetrotting creation with story writer and teller Michael Loader, and musicians Martin Solomon and Lizzie Tucker playing a menagerie of instruments from double bass to darbouka, flugel horn to harp and accordion from adagio to allegro! The event starts with a Playshop, followed by a 45 minute show, due to finish 12.00.

Theo Plath Lunchtime Concert TH U R S DAY 24 FEB R UA RY | 1 P M £8.5 0 | > Saint-Seans Sonata

for Bassoon and Piano Op 168 > Debussy Violin Sonata transcribed by Theo Plath > Roger Hanschel Layers of perception (2021) > Roger Boutry Interférences I Theo Plath is a YCAT artist.

Alex Garden, Harriet Riley & Stevie Toddler + Pete Judge & Kathy Hinde TH U R S DAY 24 FEB R UA RY | 7.3 0 P M £ 16 | £ 12

Harriet Riley & Alex Garden

Pete Judge

Philosophical Times with Julian Baggini

Two stunning all-acoustic Bristol-based collaborations that beautifully draw out the elegiac quality of nature and the enigmatic moments of human experience. Pete Judge’s solo piano miniatures alongside Kathy Hinde’s visuals, followed by Harriet Riley, Alex Garden and Stevie Toddler’s hypnotic dialogue between fiddle, vibraphone and double-bass.

S ATU R DAY 26 FEB R UA RY 10.3 0 —11.3 0 A M | £ 7

FEB R UA RY | M A R CH

Freedom to Roam The Rhythms of Migration W ED N E S DAY 2 M A R CH | 8 P M £ 2 0 | £ 17 | £ 15

With Catrin Finch and Kuljit Bhamra Freedom To Roam is a stunning musicand-film project inspired by nature and the interconnection of all living things. Led by the virtuoso flautist Eliza Marshall it sees a stellar lineup of world class artists come together to reflect on humanity’s connection with the natural world.

Eliza Marshall

Efterklang TH U R S DAY 3 M A R CH | 8 P M | £ 18.5 0

Whether it’s their early, more electronicdriven post-rock beginnings or their later field recording excavations at an abandoned North Pole settlement, Danish pop adventurers Efterklang express boundless enthusiasm with each radical new undertaking. Tonight they perform both old and new songs.

Quatuor Mona TH U R S DAY 3 M A R CH | 1 P M | £8.5 0 |

Verena Chen V I O L I N Charlotte Chahuneau V I O L I N Arianna Smith V I O L A Elia Cohen Weissert C EL LO > Schubert Quartettsatz

in C minor Four for Tango > Schubert String Quartet in A minor, 'The Rosamunde', No 13 Op 29 > Piazzolla

Part of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme.

Richard Tunnicliffe Bach Cello Suites FR I DAY 4 M A R CH | 7.3 0 P M £ 2 0 | £ 15 | £ 10 > Bach Suite

No 2 in D Minor BWV 1008 Leighton Sonata for cello solo Op 52 > Peter Sculthorpe Requiem for cello alone > Bach Suite 1 in G BWV 1007 > Kenneth

* A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

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Nature Reconnect

ature is full of hidden worlds, and music is a medium well suited to reveal them. That’s the reason we’ve launched Nature Reconnect, our new series of concerts and talks that runs throughout the coming year. We want to harness the power of music to help us imagine nature in new and different ways. Take George Crumb’s unearthly Voice of the Whale, for example, recently performed by Manchester Collective at St George’s. It’s a sparse, eerie piece for cello, flute and prepared piano that brilliantly captures the submerged sensory world of the humpback whale. There’s a thrilling primordial weirdness to the music, composed in 1971 after Crumb had heard a marine scientist’s tape recording of whale song. We’re in a universe entirely alien to humans. Or take the percussionist Terje Isungset (18 November) who carves his instruments from thick slabs of pure Norwegian lake ice. The result is a stunningly pristine soundworld that summons up the frozen, empty landscape of the far north. We are transported, through sound alone, from the concert hall to the Arctic. This Spring, as part of Nature Reconnect, we welcome four more artists inspired by the natural world, and each of them, in their own way, will reveal a different aspect of nature.

􀈊 Ben Spencer

H E A D O F PR O G R A M M E

World renowned handpan player Manu Delago (19 February) — no stranger to the outdoors: he and his band climbed to the top of the Alps performing along the way — visits with his stunning solo audiovisual show Environ Me. He takes found sounds from the environment, such as a pebble dropping in a still lake, or powerlines, or birdsong, and uses percussion and electronics to weave them into a ruminative and evocative tapestry of music. It is a gorgeous, moving portrait of our surroundings, both natural and man-made. Bristol-based Pete Judge (24 February) returns with his solo piano project alongside the visuals of Kathy Hinde. Judge is better known for his trumpet playing in Get the Blessing, and multi-instrumental antics in Three Cane Whale, but in 2019 he surprised himself and everyone else by releasing an album of solo piano compositions, recorded in a single evening at St George’s. This and his follow-up album contain beautiful piano miniatures — intimate, honest, expressive — inspired in the most part by particular locations, a poignant elegy to nature. Hinde’s films of the natural world — simple scenes such as a large tree in a field — offer a deeply poetic counterpoint to the music. Manu Delago

Pete Judge & Kathy Hinde

N AT U R E R ECO N N EC T

Eliza Marshall

Salt for Svanetia

The poetic quality of nature is also captured by flautist Eliza Marshall’s project Freedom to Roam (2 March), but on a larger global canvas. Accompanied by Catrin Finch on harp and other leading musicians from the folk and classical scenes, they will be playing their new album after the screening of a short documentary directed by award-winning Nicholas Jones.

Moishe’s Bagel (10 March) also explores the relationship of people and planet but from a different angle: human existence against a vast and sometimes harsh natural environment. They play their live score to the 1931 Soviet documentary, Salt for Svanetia, set in the remote Caucasus mountains. It is a visually breathtaking film that tells the story of the indigenous Svan people, their daily existence and ancient traditions, and the challenges they face to The album is a beautiful musical survive. The music captures this response to climate change, conflict, vividly, its heady lilting ambience redolent of toil and connection restriction and displacement and it to land.

highlights the interconnectedness of all living things and the planet.

There’ll be lots more music as part of Nature Reconnect as the year progresses — but it won’t only be music. Wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan (18 February) talks about his life in the wild with animals and our wider relationship with the animal kingdom — one of a number of discussions around natural history, climate change, rewilding and much more. Keep an eye on our website for more nature-inspired talks to be confirmed in the coming months.

Catrin Finch

Nature Reconnect is also a great opportunity to put our gardens to good use, often an unsung part of what we do. They are a real urban paradise, a shady, tranquil oasis of giant trees and bustling wildflowers. Through the summer we’ll be finding more ways for people to discover them and enjoy them — through outdoor concerts and also activities such as gardening and drawing. We hope Nature Reconnect will open up different aspects of nature for conversation and appreciation, and offer a way for people to explore their own connection with the natural world. 23

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Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra S AT U R DAY 5 M A R CH | 7.4 5 P M £ 22 | £ 18 | CO N CE S S I O N S £5 U -18S FR EE Alexandra Dariescu

Andres Kaljuste CO N D U C TO R Alexandra Dariescu S O LO I S T > Beethoven Leonore

Overture No 3 Concerto No 2 > Eleanor Alberga Symphony: Strata — World Premiere (a concert in memory of David Nash) > Rachmaninov Piano

Harley Kimbro Lewis W ED N E S DAY 9 M A R CH 7 P M D O O R S | £ 18.5 0

Harley, one of the finest blues guitarists around, Grammy-nominated bassist Daniel Kimbro and captivating singersongwriter Sam Lewis join forces for the first time in a single creative unit.

Eric Lu Lunchtime Concert TH U R S DAY 10 M A R CH | 1 P M | £8.5 0 > Schumann

Waldscenen (Forest scenes), Op 82 > Scriabin Piano Sonata in F sharp minor No 3 Op 23 Part of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme

Moishe’s Bagel Salt for Svanetia TH U R S DAY 10 M A R CH | 8 P M | £ 18 | £ 15

Favourites Moishe’s Bagel return to St George’s with their specially commissioned live score for Mikhail Kalatozov’s 1931 Soviet documentary Salt for Svanetia. Set in the remote Caucasus mountains of Georgia, the visually stunning film tells the story of the indigenous Svan people set against the context of Soviet modernisation. 24

M A R CH

Paul Lewis FR I DAY 11 M A R CH | 7.3 0 P M £3 0 | £ 25 | £ 20 | £ 15 > Beethoven Piano

Sonata in C minor, ‘Pathétiqué’, No 8 Op 13 > Sibelius Six Bagatelles Op 97 > Debussy Children’s Corner > Chopin Polonaise ‘Polonsaise-fantasie’ in A flat No 7 Op 61 > Beethoven Piano Sonata in F minor, ‘Appassionata’, No 23 Op 57

Bristol Concert Orchestra Scandinavian Spring S AT U R DAY 12 M A R CH | 7.3 0 P M £ 15 | £ 12

Nick Shipman C L A R I N E T > Grieg Wedding

Day at Troldhaugen Concerto > Sibelius Symphony No 2 > Rautavaara Clarinet

Orchestra Baobab SU N DAY 13 M A R CH | 8 P M | £35 | £3 0

One of Africa’s greatest bands, adored both in Senegal and across the world, Orchestra Baobab finally get to celebrate their 50th anniversary with their trademark blend of Afro-Latin styles, international pop, West African griot and after-dark West African nightclub ambience.

UWE Bristol Centre for Music presents Transforming Futures W ED N E S DAY 16 M A R CH | 8 P M TI CK E T S £6 (£3 S T U D ENT S / 18 & U N D ER )

An inspiring evening dedicated to music that has transformed our lives past, present, and future. Performed by UWE Bristol Orchestra and UWE Bristol Singers, including the premier of Transforming Futures dedicated to the legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. * A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

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William Thomas Lunchtime Concert TH U R S DAY 17 M A R CH | 1 P M | £8.5 0

William Thomas B A S S Kunal Lahiry PI A N O > Schumann Dichterliebe

Op 48

> Tchaikovsky

> The mild stars shone for us No 12 Op 60 > I bless you forests No 5 Op 47 > None but the lonely heart No 6 Op 6 > Does the day reign No 6 Op 4 > John Parry The Flying Dutchman Part of BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme

Steve Tilston TH U R S DAY 17 M A R CH | 8 P M | £ 16 | £ 14

Folk legend Steve Tilston belatedly celebrates his half-century career, joined by Bristol harmonica maestro Keith Warmington, regular accompanist Hugh Bradley on double bass plus other special guests. Steve will play songs from the last five-decades plus some brandnew ones too.

Rachel Podger and Chris Glynn FR I DAY 18 M A R CH 7.3 0 P M | £ 25 | £ 20 | £ 15 | > Beethoven > Beethoven

Violin Sonata in D No 1 Violin Sonata in F, ‘Spring’,

No 5 Op 24 Violin Sonata in E minor K304 > Beethoven Violin Sonata in G No 10 > Mozart

Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra S ATU R DAY 19 M A R CH | 7.3 0 P M TI CK E T S TB C

Programme to be confirmed — please check the website for details. 26

M A R CH

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Soloists Chamber Concert T U E S DAY 22 M A R CH | 7.3 0 P M £ 2 0 | £ 18 | £ 15 | £ 10

Principal players of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra present an evening of romantic chamber music, including Dvořak’s ‘American’ String Quartet in F, composed in the US in the same year as Dvořak’s muchloved New World Symphony. Part of the BSO’s On Your Doorstep series.

Anastasia Kobekina Lunchtime Concert TH U R S DAY 24 M A R CH | 1 P M | £8.5 0 |

Anastasia Kobekina C EL LO Jean-Selim Abdelmoula PI A N O > Beethoven

Cello Sonata in A No 3 Op 69 Sonata in A No 1 Op 13 arr. Cello

> Fauré Violin

Part of BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme.

Rob Luft TH U R S DAY 24 M A R CH | 8 P M | £ 12 GL A S S S TU D I O

Brilliant guitarist Rob Luft along with his dextrous quintet plays tracks from his acclaimed album Life Is The Dancer as part of St George's partnership with the groundbreaking record label Edition. Rob’s guitar and compositional voice are effortlessly original, his band a mix of free-flowing, virtuoso musicianship and joyous collective playing.

Bristol Ensemble Vaughan Williams and the English Tradition FR I DAY 25 M A R CH | 7.3 0 P M £35 | £3 0 | £ 25

Presenting a programme including two of Vaughan Williams’ most enduring works, the Lark Ascending and the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, Bristol Ensemble celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of England’s greatest composers. * A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

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Ralph Vaughan Williams & Alexander Scriabin

alph Vaughan Williams and Alexander Scriabin were born in the same year, 1872, and in 2022 we celebrate their 150th anniversaries in our programming with a rich variety of their works. Both men came from wealthy backgrounds and had privileged upbringings — Scriabin was of Russian aristocratic stock, Vaughan Williams was descended through his mother from the Wedgwood family, but the similarities end there.

The compositional output of each man also could not have been more different. Scriabin pioneered a dissonant musical language in the early 20th century, focused on piano and orchestral, which is still strikingly modern to our contemporary ears. Vaughan Williams’ music is altogether more approachable and instantly recognisable, his work encompasses broader genres, everything from symphonies and chamber music to large-scale choral and solo song repertoire. Whilst Scriabin looked forward, adopting the radical and experimental movements of his age relating to atonality and theosophy, Vaughan Williams looked back, meticulously researching English folk-songs which had been sung across the country for centuries, many of which he adapted into hymn tunes and orchestral themes.

Vaughan Williams

Scriabin was precocious, studying and writing for piano from an early age, but sadly died at the height of his career in 1915 at the age of 43. In contrast, Vaughan Williams was a late developer, not finding his true compositional voice until his late 30s after his studies with Maurice Ravel, and, having lived through both World Wars, died at the distinguished age of 85 in 1958.

VAU GH A N W I LLI A M S & S CR I A B I N

Alexander Scriabin’s system of relating different colours to musical notes. The colours appear in a random order on a piano’s keyboard, but form a tonal colour wheel when arranged in a musical circle of fifths.

E Db

In his all too brief life, Scriabin had a deep impact on Russian music, influencing later composers such as Prokofiev and Stravinsky. Tolstoy described his music as a ‘sincere expression of genius’. He developed a strong interest in synaesthesia — a condition in which one type of sensory stimulation evokes a sensation in another — and believed that certain keys and notes in music related to certain colours. For example, the note C was an intense red whereas A was a deep green. In our Spring programme, we first meet Scriabin on Thursday 10 March in Eric Lu’s lunchtime recital when he is playing Piano Sonata No 3 in F sharp minor.

Alexander Scriabin

* A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

Our encounter with Vaughan Williams begins with the Bristol Classical Players on 29 January with a performance of his London Symphony, in four movements, each of which was written to evoke a particular scene from the composer’s experiences of living in the capital. Then on 25 March, Bristol Ensemble will play two of his best-loved works — The Lark Ascending, inspired by a George Meredith poem of the same name, which always tops the Classic FM Hall of Fame, and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, based on a psalm tune written by Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis. Both pieces have interesting local connections — the Lark, originally written for solo violin and piano, was first performed at Shirehampton Public Hall in 1920 and the Tallis Fantasia was premiered ten years before at the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester Cathedral.

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Philosophical Times with Julian Baggini S AT U R DAY 26 M A R CH 10.3 0 —11.3 0 A M | £ 7

Join the brilliant writer, thinker and St George’s resident philosopher, Julian Baggini, as he explores some of the big ideas that connect with and emerge from this week’s news stories.

MiniBeats Super Strings! SU N DAY 2 7 M A R CH | 10.3 0 A M (AGE S 3 — 5) & 12.3 0 P M (AGE S 5 — 8) £ 7 | GR O U P / FA M I LY TI CK E T 4 FO R 3

Join Presenter Laura Tanner and the marvellous MiniBeats strings for a super session of music showcasing the string section of the orchestra — that’s violin, viola, cello and double bass! Ages are guidelines only, and both concerts are relaxed performances where everyone is welcome!

Jordan Bak Lunchtime Concert TH U R S DAY 31 M A R CH | 1 P M £8.5 0 | > H

Leslie Adams Ecstasy of Love Clark Untitled > Jessica Meyer Excessive Use of Force (2020) > Arnold Bax Viola Sonata > Rebecca

Jordan Bak is a YCAT artist.

Sona Jobarteh FR I DAY 1 A PR I L | 8 P M | £ 23 | £ 18 | £ 15

Africa’s first female kora virtuoso Sona Jobarteh — cousin of Toumani Diabaté — returns to St George’s after her rapturously received concert in 2018. Jobarteh is a graceful and shining ambassador of the griot tradition, her music evocative and infectious and loved the world over. 30

M A R CH | A PR I L

City of Bristol Choir Handel’s Messiah S ATU R DAY 2 A PR I L | 7.3 0 P M | £3 0 — £ 18 CO N CE S S I O N S FO R U N D ER 18S A N D S T U D ENT S

During the long days of lockdown the City of Bristol Choir, conducted by David Ogden, rehearsed Handel’s Messiah for an unspecified future performance. That performance has now arrived.

Noah Gundersen M O N DAY 4 A PR I L | 8 P M | £ 25 | £ 2 0

As coronavirus hit the US in March 2020, Noah Gundersen found a moss-covered cabin deep in the woods of Washington State to hole up in for 18 months. The result? A period of creative reflection and a brand new album.

Haiku Salut The General W ED N E S DAY 6 A PR I L | 8 P M | £ 15

Cult instrumental dream-pop-post-folk-neoeverything trio Haiku Salut perform an original contemporary live score to Buster Keaton’s 1926 legendary comedy classic, The General, regularly named as one of the greatest films ever made, and a landmark of silent cinema.

Immersive Messiah TH U R S DAY 7 A PR I L | 7.3 0 P M £ 22 | £ 16 | £ 12

The Fitzhardinge Consort C H O R U S Corelli Orchestra O R C H E S T R A Experience Handel's Messiah from the inside out. Whether you've never heard this incredible work performed live before, or you're returning to it as a much-loved favourite, join us for a fresh and experimental take on Handel's masterpiece. With projections, creative lighting design, and insights into Handel's own world in Georgian London, interwoven through this iconic Easter music. * A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

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Handel in Bristol

M E S S I A H, H A N D EL & B R I S TO L

'I went to the Bristol cathedral to hear Mr. Handel’s Messiah. In many parts, especially several of the choruses, it exceeded my expectation.'

􀈊 Samir Savant

C H I EF E X EC U T I V E

his is from the diary of John Wesley, This Easter, we bring two contrasting the founder of Methodism, who performances of Handel’s most famous attended a performance of George work to St George’s. Today we are used to Frideric Handel’s choral masterpiece in hearing it at Christmas, but Handel wrote August 1758, just a year before the composer it originally to be performed around Easter died. John Wesley’s nephew Samuel Wesley, and the premiere of the work in Dublin was on a conductor and composer, was born and 13 April 1742. John Wesley would have heard brought up in Bristol and the family home the first performance of Messiah in an English on Charles Street cathedral, as up to that point it Bristol Bridge and St Mary Redcliffe resounded with had mainly been performed in strains of Handel. theatres and concert halls, as this This is one of many is where Handel’s audiences had Bristolian connections flocked to previously to see his with Handel I have Italian operas. discovered since On 2 April, the City of Bristol Choir arriving here. After and Bristol Ensemble present the five years as Festival full work, with four stellar soloists Director of the London Handel Festival, I am in an exuberant and uplifting performance keen to bring more of the glorious music of my directed by David Ogden. The 90-strong favourite composer to my new favourite city! choir were busy rehearsing the work during Handel is also rumoured to have played the lockdown not knowing when they would be organs at both St Mary Redcliffe, where there able to perform it, and happily that moment is a splendid window installed, complete has now arrived. Then on 7 April we present with text from Messiah, to mark the centenary a more experimental version, an immersive of his death, and St Thomas the Martyr church performance designed to make the work more in the city centre. I am in discussions with accessible to people who may not have heard Handelian scholars to establish the veracity the piece before. This time with a smaller choir of these reported connections, but I am sure and orchestra — the Fitzhardinge Consort and Mr Handel would enjoy his well-developed Corelli Orchestra — we will focus on Parts Two reputation in Bristol and would not let truth and Three, which relate to Easter specifically, get in the way of a good story! thus making the concert experience a manageable two hours, still including the Handel composed Messiah in an astonishing well-loved movements such as ‘I know that my 24 days, without getting much sleep and Redeemer liveth’ and the famous ‘Hallelujah!’ often leaving meals brought to him uneaten. chorus. We will use the big screen at St His servants would find him in tears as he George’s to relay the words as they are being composed, and when he completed his sung, along with images of Handel and of famous ‘Hallelujah!’ chorus, he reportedly the original score in his own handwriting, said, ‘I did think I did see all Heaven before and other imaginative insights into Handel’s me, and the great God Himself seated on world and Georgian London to help bring the His throne, with His company of Angels.’ work to life. We hope you can join us for either or both of these wonderful performances. 33

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Roger McGough Safety in Numbers FR I DAY 8 A PR I L | 7.3 0 P M | £ 17.5 0

Safety in Numbers is a new collection from the nation’s favourite poet. Traversing rocky terrain with the assurance of a poetry Rover on Mars, McGough brings down to earth the strangeness of a time on hold. With the gift of many tongues, playful, surreal and tender, he reveals the telling moments of our lives. Part of Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival.

Bristol Ensemble Bach’s St John Passion S ATU R DAY 9 A PR I L | 7.3 0 P M £35 | £3 0 | £ 25

Bristol Ensemble usher in Easter with a performance of Bach’s glorious setting of the St John Passion. Bach’s interpretation of the Passion of Christ is one of the most moving and emotive set to music.

Poetry By Heart Regional Showcase SU N DAY 10 A PR I L | 2 P M FR EE B UT TI CK E TED

Choose a poem, learn it by heart, perform it out loud. Poetry By Heart is a national poetry speaking competition for young people aged 7 to 18. Join us for this regional showcase celebration live from the St George’s stage. Part of Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival.

Grand Slam Finals Lyra Festival SU N DAY 10 A PR I L | 7.3 0 P M | £ 10

An audience favourite at Bristol Poetry Festival, the Lyra Slam Final is back! Come along to see Bristol’s finest wordsmiths battle it out to be crowned the 2022 Lyra Bristol Slam Winner, as well as some fantastic feature performances from world-class poets. Raucous, energetic, passionate! Part of Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival.

A PR I L

Nick Lowe M O N DAY 18 A PR I L | 7 P M D O O R S £ 29.5 0 | £ 27.5 0

Maestro of British rock Nick Lowe is as fresh today as the first time he stepped on stage, 40 years ago. His musical landscape spans all kinds of sounds, from rock to country to soul to pop — nothing is off limits.

Maya Youssef Finding Home W ED N E S DAY 2 0 A PR I L | 8 P M | £ 18

Queen of the qanun (the 78-stringed zither) Maya Youssef returns to St George’s to play music from her latest album Finding Home. It is a deeply evocative soundworld: infused with a sense of loss for her Syrian homeland, inspired by a more universal sense of home.

Manchester Collective The Oracle FR I DAY 22 A PR I L | 7.3 0 P M £38 | £32 | £ 26 | £ 2 0 | £ 15

The sensational cellist Abel Selaocoe has a way of tapping directly into how we feel. He has already reached millions of listeners with his ongoing collaboration with the Manchester Collective. Tonight he presents his brand new show with his band Chesaba and the string orchestra of the Collective.

* A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

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Venue Hire Hire our beautiful venue for your event or celebration Our hall, gardens and contemporary spaces combine classic elegance with modern architecture. Our flexible and characterful venue, combined with our long-standing experience of hosting private events, makes St George’s a great choice for bespoke, high quality event experiences, whatever your requirements. We love hosting wedding receptions, parties, conferences and dinners, so if you’re looking for a reason to celebrate a special occasion or connect with your clients, please contact our events team via stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/ venue-hire As a registered charity, income generated through events like these directly supports our celebrated artistic programme and education work.

Kirsten and Callum's wedding, 2021, photographed by Hotwells Wedding Photography

V EN U E H I R E | TH A N K YO U

Thank you to all our Supporters St George’s Bristol is a charity that creates inspirational experiences for music lovers and makers — we believe music can be life changing. Our artistic and learning programmes simply would not be possible without those who continue to support our organisation throughout these challenging times including:

Thanks to the Government's Cultural Recovery Fund, we have been able to overcome many of the challenges created by the pandemic during 2020 and 2021. It is with this support that we are able to reopen again to be #HereForCulture

Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust, The Bristol Arts Society, Cavatina Chamber Music Trust, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Paragon Music Trust, Scops Arts Trust, Stewart Wines and The Thistle Trust.

We would also like to thank our Individual Donors; Members of the Star Circle, Patrons, Benefactors, Members and Friends for their invaluable support.

For more information on our work and ways you can support us, please visit our website: > Donate today! > Become a Member from £40 > Join as a supporter > Leave a gift in your will > Buy gift vouchers > Volunteer at St George’s stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/support-us 'St George’s Bristol offers fantastic music to enthusiastic audiences in a space that performers love. It’s a pleasure to attend and to support it in whatever way we can.' I A I N B OY D S TA R C I R C L E

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Café Bar Join us for lunch or pre-event food and drink! Our Café is open during the week serving delicious soups, toasties and savouries. We have a wide selection of cakes ranging from brownies to raspberry bakewells and specialist coffees & teas from Extract Roastery. Sample our fantastic range of wines, beers and soft drinks from great local suppliers, Bristol Beer Factory, Lost and Grounded, Lovely Drinks, Six O’Clock Gin, and Stewart Wines. The Bar is usually open an hour prior to event start time. And when booking tickets, why not treat yourself to a pre-event Food & Drink package as well? Choose from a selection of house drinks accompanied by a board of bread, olives, dips and veggie treats. You can book along with your tickets via the event page on our website or with the Box Office (subject to availability). We have a special Valentine’s Day treat for the 14 February concert with Bristol Ensemble which includes a two course board selection of savouries, pink fizz, and sweet dessert bites. It’s the perfect accompaniment to an evening of love and gorgeous music! All bookable along with your tickets. For further Café Bar information including daytime service, and details of seasonal food offerings, please visit our website.

C A FÉ B A R | I N FO R M ATI O N

Information

Terms & Conditions T I C K E T S are

not transferable offered on sold-out events, where our Box Office is able to re-sell tickets | AG E R E S T R I C T I O N S may apply, please check before purchase S T G EO R G E ’ S reserves the right to refuse admission | L AT ECO M E R S admission at the first suitable break (steward’s discretion) FO R F U L L T & C S please visit our website. R E F U N D S only

See stgeorgesbristol.co.uk for latest details of events All information correct at the time of going to print.

Opening Hours B OX O F F I C E & C A F É B A R B A R an

Monday to Friday — 11am to 4.30pm hour before the start of an event.

Getting Here

Book Tickets

St George’s Bristol, Great George Street (Off Park St), Bristol, BS1 5RR

O N L I N E stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

N E A R E S T C A R PA R K S Trenchard

0845 40 24 001 Monday to Friday — 11am to 6pm TELEPHONE

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IN PERSON

during Box Office opening hours (as above).

P R I O R I T Y B O O K I N G available to our supporters across all events, before general sale and as events are announced throughout the year | 5% B O O K I N G F E E added to the listed price of a ticket when booked online or by telephone only.

Offers & Concessions CO N C E S S I O N S & FA M I LY T I C K E T S

specified on an event-by-event basis | F R E E CO M PA N I O N T I C K E T S available where a full-paying ticket holder requires assistance throughout their visit please see our website for details | S T U D E N T S & U 25 S discounted or free tickets available for selected concerts and with the C AVAT I N A scheme / Please see our website or ask at the Box Office | G R O U P S O F 1 0 + please contact the Box Office.

Image credits Cover Abel Selaocoe/Manchester Collective by Phil Sharp p2-3 Building/audience by Evan Dawson p2-3 Manchester Collective by Mark Stretton p4-5 Nicky Takes Photos and Evan Dawson p8 Paul Lewis by Evan Dawson p22 Spring exterior by Philip Vile p36 Hotwells Wedding Photography p37 Nicola Benedetti by Evan Dawson p38 Esme Jones, Furniture Fusion, Pete Axford * A 5% booking fee applies online and over the phone

St, College St, and Millennium Square | O N FO OT via Great George St and Charlotte St B I C YC L E racking available on Great George St and Charlotte St | B U S please see firstgroup.com for routes. A D M I N I S T R AT I O N 0117 929 4929

Accessibility PA R K I N G some spaces for Blue Badge holders are bookable via Box Office on a first-come-first-served basis S T E P- F R E E ACC E S S via Charlotte St entrance | W H E E LC H A I R S PAC E S please ask our Box Office team when booking or see our website for details | M O B I L E CO N N EC T H E A R I N G please ask our Box Office team ahead of the event | G U I D E D O G S are admitted throughout St George’s AG E G U I D E L I N E S & R E L A X E D P E R FO R M A N C E S states where applicable across selected and family events. Regrettably, infants can’t be admitted to events unless otherwise stated | A M P L I F I C AT I O N & L I G H T I N G please ask our Box Office team about specific events.

Credits DESIGN

Charles Watkins Zenith Media R EG I S T E R E D O F F I C E Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR | St George’s Bristol No 2053843; Registered Charity No 295178; VAT No 821968115 PRINT

At a Glance CHR IS TMA S SE A SO N

MARCH

S AT 2 7 N OV | 7.3 0 P M

W E D 2 M A R | 8 P M Freedom to Roam

Renewal Choir Time To Rise

W E D 1 D EC | 7 P M Lord Mayor’s Christmas

Appeal Concert T U E 7 D EC | 7.3 0 Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band P M FR I 1 0 D EC | 7.3 0 Septura S AT 11 D EC | 7.3 0 P M Bristol Bach Choir Spirit of Christmas W E D 15 D EC | 8 P M Cara Dillon Upon A Winter’s Night P M FR I 17 D EC | 7 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment S AT 18 D EC | 7.3 0 P M Bristol Ensemble & City of Bristol Choir Christmas Spectacular S U N 19 D EC | 2 P M | 4 P M Children’s Christmas Carnival S U N 19 D EC | 8 P M Bristol Ensemble A Baroque Christmas M O N 2 0 D EC | 7.3 0 P M Bristol Ensemble & Exultate Singers Christmas Spectacular T U E 2 1 D EC | 7.3 0 P M Bristol Ensemble & City of Bristol Choir Festive Fiesta W E D 2 2 D EC | 7 P M Bristol Ensemble & Choir of Royal Holloway Handel’s Messiah T H U 23 D EC | 8 P M Awake Arise! S U N 2 J A N | 4 P M Welsh National Opera Orchestra Return to Vienna PM

JANUARY S U N 23 J A N | 7 P M D O O R S Roy Ayers Everybody Loves

FEB RUARY W E D 2 FE B | 7.3 0 P M

Teddy Thompson Mayumi Kanagawa T H U 3 FE B | 7.3 0 P M John Law’s Congregration + Hippo S U N 6 FE B | 4 P M Iyad Sughayer S U N 6 FE B | 7 P M Bristol Palestine Film Festival W E D 9 FE B | 8 P M The Residents T H U 1 0 FE B | 8 P M Police Dog Hogan FR I 11 FE B | 7.3 0 P M Manchester Collective A Little Requiem S AT 12 FE B | 7.3 0 P M Saxultate 2 Exultate Singers and Amy Dickson S U N 13 FE B | VA R I O U S South Asian Music Festival P M M O N 14 FE B | 7.3 0 Bristol Ensemble Romantic Rhapsody T U E 15 FE B | 7.3 0 P M Benjamin Frances Leftwich W E D 16 FE B | 7.3 0 P M An Evening with Lloyd Cole T H U 17 FE B | 1 P M Connaught Brass P M T H U 17 FE B | 8 Lau Unplugged P M FR I 18 FE B | 7.3 0 Gordon Buchanan 30 Years into the Wild S AT 19 FE B | 8 P M Manu Delago Environ Me W E D 23 FE B | 1 0.3 0 A M Wild Words Gulliver Travels T H U 24 FE B | 1 P M Theo Plath T H U 24 FE B | 7.3 0 P M Alex Garden, Harriet Riley & Stevie Toddler + Pete Judge & Kathy Hinde S AT 26 FE B | 1 0.3 0 Philosophical Times Julian Baggini T H U 3 FE B | 1 P M

The Rhythms of Migration

T H U 3 M A R | 8 P M Efterklang T H U 3 M A R | 1

Quatuor Mona

F R I 4 M A R | 7.3 0 P M Richard Tunnicliffe

Bach Cello Suites Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra W E D 9 M A R | 7 Harley Kimbro Lewis T H U 1 0 M A R | 1 P M Eric Lu P M T H U 1 0 M A R | 8 Moishe’s Bagel Salt for Svanetia P M F R I 11 M A R | 7.3 0 Paul Lewis P M S AT 12 M A R | 7.3 0 Bristol Concert Orchestra Scandinavian Spring S U N 13 M A R | 8 P M Orchestra Baobab W E D 16 M A R | 8 P M UWE Bristol Centre for Music presents Transforming Futures T H U 17 M A R | 1 P M William Thomas T H U 17 M A R | 8 P M Steve Tilston F R I 18 M A R | 7.3 0 P M Rachel Podger and Chris Glynn S AT 19 M A R | 7.3 0 P M Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra T U E 2 2 M A R | 7.3 0 P M Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Soloists Chamber Concert T H U 24 M A R | 1 P M Anastasia Kobekina T H U 24 M A R | 8 P M Rob Luft F R I 25 M A R | 7.3 0 P M Bristol Ensemble Vaughan Williams and the English Tradition S AT 26 M A R | 1 0.3 0 A M Philosophical Times Julian Baggini S U N 2 7 M A R | 1 0.3 0 A M | 12.3 0 P M MiniBeats Super Strings! T H U 31 M A R | 1 P M Jordan Bak Lunchtime Concert S AT 5 M A R | 7. 4 5 P M

PM DOORS

APR IL F R I 1 A P R | 8 P M

Sona Jobarteh

S AT 2 A P R | 7.3 0 P M City of Bristol Choir

Handel’s Messiah Noah Gundersen W E D 6 A P R | 8 P M Haiku Salut The General T H U 7 A P R | 7.3 0 P M Immersive Messiah F R I 8 A P R | 7.3 0 P M Roger McGough Safety in Numbers S AT 9 A P R | 7.3 0 P M Bristol Ensemble Bach’s St John Passion S U N 1 0 A P R | 2 P M Poetry By Heart Regional Showcase S U N 1 0 A P R | 7.3 0 P M Grand Slam Finals Lyra Festival M O N 18 A P R | 7 P M D O O R S Nick Lowe W E D 2 0 A P R | 8 P M Maya Youssef Finding Home F R I 2 2 A P R | 7.3 0 P M Manchester Collective The Oracle M O N 4 A P R | 8 P M

We will be announcing more new events for Summer and Winter 2022 online soon. Please check our website listings for details and tickets. B O O K N OW

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