ARMONICO RECORDINGS
Armonico Consort and Baroque Players have collaborated with some of the finest musicians to produce world-class recordings, which have gained widespread critical acclaim for their innovative programmes and exceptional quality.
Our CDs are available at all major retailers, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music and Presto Music www.prestomusic.com For assistance please contact: marketing@armonico.org.uk or 01926 800109 ext 1
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
SEP
Dido & Aeneas
25 The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh
Naked Byrd 2
26 Lighthouse, Poole
28 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
OCT
Naked Byrd 2
03 Malvern Theatres
The Forgotten Scarlatti Tour
12 Brighton Early Music Festival
NOV
Fauré Requiem with AC Academy Scholars
05 Leek Wootton*
They Shall Not Grow Old with celebrity reader Julian Glover
11 Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil
Africa...A Singing Continent with AC Academy Choirs
06 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry*
12 Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil*
14 Lighthouse, Poole
BOOKING TICKETS
The Fairy Queen
22 Wimbledon International Music Festival*
Messiah: Come & Sing
23 Holy Trinity, Leamington*
DEC
Handel’s Messiah
05 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
06 Malvern Theatres
Carols by Candlelight
17 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
21 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
22 Lighthouse, Poole
JAN
F Scarlatti Daniele
10 Wigmore Hall, London*
Supersize Polyphony 2
24 Malvern Theatres*
25 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
30 Lighthouse, Poole*
FEB
Supersize Polyphony 2
07 Wells Cathedral*
*On sale from September 2024
Tickets for our local performances can be purchased from the Royal Spa Centre & Town Hall Box Office, Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington Spa CV32 4AA
OPENING TIMES: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm | Sat-Sun 10am-3pm | Bank Holidays Closed
Tickets can also be purchased by phone: 01926 334418 or online: www.armonico.org.uk
At many of our performances we provide free or discounted companion tickets for disabled ticket holders who need assistance. Please check with the box office when booking. If you have specific access queries or queries about the performance, please contact us via email hello@armonico.org.uk
Help us raise funds, by generously donating an hour of your hard-earned salary or retirement allowance – from £11.44 if you are on minimum wage or more if you are a higher earner. Make a deep and meaningful difference to the lives of young people with special educational needs from schools in the West Midlands.
£11.44 buys a small African drum
£25 pays for costume hire for a young performer
Membership page tbc
£58 pays for an hour’s time of a workshop leader
£120 enables 30 young people to undertake an Arts Award qualification
July 2024 – September 2024
“What a difference an hour can make”
PLEASE DONATE NOW by scanning the QR code or visit: www.armonico.org.uk/donate
Enjoy our glorious music with a tasty tipple specially recommended by our friend and wine expert Oz Clarke, the perfect accompaniment!
ARMONICO CONSORT
DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS NAKED BYRD 2
THE INDEPENDENT
Ten years on from our most successful concert series and CD recordings to date, indulge yourself in the second part of our collection of the incredible world of choral music from the last 800 years, with simple raw emotion at its heart.
Featuring some of the greatest choral music ever written, relax in the glorious acoustic of Poole Lighthouse, Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, and Malvern Theatres, and envelope yourself with the most gorgeous choral music, performed by our incredible singers around the building. The concert programme will be linked by timeless chants by the 11th century Abbess – Hildegard of Bingen.
Enjoy a tasty tipple recommended by our friend, wine expert Oz Clarke. Exclusive to St Mary’s Warwick concerts
BRAND NEW PROGRAMME!
Ave Maria, Beibl
Ave Verum, William Byrd
Plorathe, Giacomo Carissimi
Sleep, Eric Whitacre
Agnus Dei, William Byrd
Bogorditse Devo, Sergei Rachmaninov
Miserere Mei, Gregorio Allegri
Hymn to the Mother of God, John Taverner
O Nata Lux, Thomas Tallis
Ubi Caritas, Ola Gjeilo
Libera Nos Salva Nos, John Shepherd
A Spotless Rose, Paul Mealor
Pur ti miro, Claudio Monteverdi
Lux Aeterna, Edward Elgar
THU 26 SEP 2024 | 7.30pm
Lighthouse, Poole
TICKETS: £29.15 | £24.75 | £19.80
Box office: 01202 280000
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
SAT 28 SEP 2024 | 7.30pm
Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
TICKETS: £37.50 | £26.50
£20.50 | £15.50
U16’s free with full paying adult
Box office: 01926 334418
www.armonico.org.uk
This performance is generously sponsored by John Cook, member of the Conductor’s Circle
THU 3 OCT 2024 | 7.30pm
Malvern Theatres
TICKETS: £35.84 | £32.48 | £29.12
Box office: 01684 892277
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
FAURÉ REQUIEM
AC ACADEMY SCHOLARS
ORGANIST | MARK SWINTON
DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS
In the opinion of so many, Fauré created the greatest of all settings of the Requiem Mass. From the sublime ‘Pie Jesu’ to the haunting ‘Agnus Dei’ it has captured the hearts and souls of millions.
Armonico’s own AC Academy Scholars have now established themselves as an elite youth choir, training and coaching the finest young talent towards university entrance, with 100% track record of gaining Oxbridge Choral Scholarships for those who applied. Experience their exquisite voices as they perform this incredible music in the gorgeous surroundings of Leek Wootton Church.
AFRICA… A SINGING CONTINENT
AC ACADEMY CHOIRS
AFRICA PERFORMING ART UK
DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS
In 2020, Armonico Consort developed a partnership in Kenya to bring our Choir Creation programme to local organisations working with street children and vulnerable young people.
The musical heritage of Kenyans is such a precious part of their community, and they were generous in sharing their songs with us.
This amazing experience inspired us to create a programme of both traditional and contemporary African songs from across this diverse continent, which we look forward to sharing with you.
Performed by AC Academy children’s choirs, local schools and workplace choirs, and accompanied by a small professional band, drummers and dancers from Kenya, this promises to be a totally uplifting celebration of African music.
TUE 05 NOV 2024 | 7pm
All Saints’ Parish Church, Leek Wootton
TICKETS: £9.50
Box office: 01926 334418
www.armonico.org.uk
WED 06 NOV 2024 | 7pm
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
Box office: 024 7652 4524
www.warwickartscentre.co.uk
TUE 12 NOV 2024 | 7pm
Westlands Entertainment
Venue, Yeovil
Box office: 01935 422884
www.westlandsyeovil.co.uk
THU 14 NOV 2024 | 7pm
Lighthouse, Poole
TICKETS: £9.35 | £7.15 (U18s)
Box office: 01202 280000
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS
As much a Christmas tradition as mince pies and holly wreaths, Handel’s Messiah is the musical essential of the festive season. Christopher Monks leads the finest period musicians of Armonico Consort and the group’s fantastic soloists in this performance of Handel’s iconic work. What a fabulous way to get into the Christmas spirit!
Enjoy a tasty tipple recommended by our friend, wine expert Oz Clarke. Exclusive to St Mary’s Warwick concerts
COME & SING HANDEL’S MESSIAH
WITH CHRISTOPHER MONKS
For the first time ever, come and sing Handel’s iconic masterpiece - Messiah with members of Armonico Consort and selected solos by AC Academy Scholars. Learn stylistic approaches of the group alongside vocal performance techniques which have earned Armonico Consort a string of 5 star reviews in the national press.
THU 05 DEC 2024 | 7.30pm
Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
TICKETS: £37.50 | £26.50
£20.50 | £15.50
U16s free with full paying adult Box office: 01926 334418
www.armonico.org.uk
FRI 06 DEC 2024 | 7.30pm Malvern Theatres
TICKETS: £35.84 | £32.48 | £29.12
Box office: 01684 892277
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
SAT 23 NOV 2024
12pm REGISTRATION 1-4pm REHEARSAL 4.30-5.15pm PERFORMANCE
Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa
TICKETS: To book your place for the Come & Sing and purchase tickets for the performance please contact: Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
ARMONICO CONSORT
AC ACADEMY WARWICK
DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS
ORGAN | CHRISTOPHER ALLSOP
Carols by Candlelight has become a firm tradition of Armonico Consort’s festive programme over the past 23 years. What better way to enjoy the warmth and joy of the Christmas season than in the sublime candlelit setting of the Collegiate Church of St Mary Warwick for a feast of carols, combining traditional favourites and newly discovered works.
Due to popular demand, for the first time ever we have added a second date this December for Carols by Candlelight at Collegiate Church of St Mary in Warwick!
Make Carols by Candlelight the soundtrack to your festive season!
“The one carols CD you should buy this year!”
BBC Music Magazine
Available at our live concerts and on our website
TUE 17 DEC 2024 | 7.30pm
Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
TICKETS: £37.50 | £26.50 | £20.50 | £15.50
U16’s free with full paying adult
Box office: 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk
This performance is generously supported by anonymous donors
SAT 21 DEC 2024 | 7.30pm
Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
TICKETS: £37.50 | £26.50 | £20.50 | £15.50
U16’s free with full paying adult
Box office: 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk
This performance is generously supported by David Phillips MBE & Phillips and Becker Accountants Ltd
SUN 22 DEC 2024 | 4pm
Lighthouse, Poole
TICKETS: £31.35 | £26.95 | £19.80
Box office: 01202 280000 or www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
A feast of carols, seasonal songs and festive favourites including: Mistletoe Roberts
In the Bleak Midwinter Darke
O Antiphons Young
What Sweeter Music Rutter
Hark the Herald Angel’s Sing
The Shepherd’s Carol Chillcot
Neciens Mater Mouton
In Dulce Jubilo Pearsall
SUPERSIZE POLYPHONY 2
ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS
THE TIMES
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE
The critically acclaimed Supersize Polyphony programme of choral music on a colossal scale, made Armonico Consort famous across the British Isles. Back with even more daring and adventurous staging in 20 – 40, and even 60 different voice parts, we will once again sing 360 degrees around the audience, totally immersing them in their sound!
In a BRAND NEW programme we feature many newly discovered works, most of which are rarely performed and some never recorded. This concert will also feature two world premieres by Hollywood composer (and co-founder of our education outreach) David Buckley. If you loved the first instalment of Supersize Polyphony, you simply cannot miss this concert. As an extra treat, we will bring you Tallis’s Spem in Alium – surely the perfect way to kick off 2025!
Enjoy a tasty tipple recommended by our friend, wine expert Oz Clarke. Exclusive to St Mary’s Warwick concerts
DATES BRAND NEW PROGRAMME
FRI 24 JAN 2025 | 7.30pm
Malvern Theatres
Box office: 01684 892277 www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
SAT 25 JAN 2025 | 7.30pm
Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
TICKETS: £37.50 | £26.50
£20.50 | £15.50
U16’s free with full paying adult
Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk
Generously co-sponsored by Braunston Marina and Derek & Rosemary Holding.
THU 30 JAN 2025 | 7.30pm
Lighthouse, Poole
TICKETS: £28.50 | £24.50 | £18
Box office: 01202 280000 www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
FRI 07 FEB 2025 | 7.30pm
Wells Cathedral
Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk
Supersize Polyphony 2 is generously supported by The Continuo Foundation.
Inviolata a 12, Josquin
Plainsong Introit: Suscepimus, Deus
Mass for Four Voices, Byrd: Kyrie & Gloria
Qui Habitat a 24, Josquin
Creed Ave Verum, Byrd
Plainsong Offertory: Felix namque es
Mass for Four Voices: Sanctus & Benedictus COMMISSION (World Premiere), David Buckley
Deo Gratias a 12, Van Wilder
Plainsong Communion: Beata viscera
O Fortunato Giorno a 30, Malvezzi
Plainsong: Propter veritatem
Mass for Four Voices: Agnus Dei, Byrd
Plainchant: Benedicamus Domino
Deo Gratias a 36, Okegham
Spem In Allum a 4
We are planning to make a recording of Supersize Polyphony 2 as soon as we raise enough sponsorship.
We would love to hear from you if you are interested in supporting.
CHACONNE | MARCH 2025
HANDEL ISRAEL IN EGYPT | APRIL 2025
RACHMANINOV’S VESPERS | JUNE & JULY 2025
CHOIR CREATION
Our unique Choir Creation scheme creates sustainable in-school music education in partnership with local music hubs.
• Aimed at KS2 and KS3
• Helps establish new choirs or improve existing choirs at schools
• Provides training for a teacher at the school to become the choir leader
• Offers ongoing mentoring support for the newly trained choir leader
• FREE OF CHARGE
Following the completion of the scheme, the schools are invited to take part in one of AC Academy’s gala concerts performing in prestigious venues alongside Armonico Consort’s professional singers and musicians.
For more information, contact Ann Hannan ahannan@armonico.org.uk
FIND AN AFTER SCHOOL CHOIR NEAR YOU:
Our AC Academy after school Choirs are singing groups for young people aged 7-18. We currently have three after school Academies that rehearse on a weekly basis, term time only.
For more info, contact the Education department: ahannan@armonico.org.uk
WARWICK: TUESDAYS
COVENTRY: WEDNESDAYS
www.armonico.org.uk/ac-academy
NEXT STEPS:
13-18 year old AC Academy singers can apply for an Armonico Consort scholarship through which they will have opportunities to perform with the professional Consort.
For more information and an application form please contact: ahannan@armonico.org.uk
Registered charity no. 1103159
Memory SingersWarwick
sponsored
FIRST SESSION FREE!
Wednesdays 1pm-2.30pm
All Saints Church, Vicarage Fields, Warwick, CV34 5NL
To book a place or for further information please contact Sarah Riddell: sriddell@armonico.org.uk or call 07722 632242
Circle.
VOLUNTEER WITH ARMONICO!
We depend upon our fantastically supportive volunteers who assist with a wide range of exciting activities as part of a warm, welcoming social network within the communities around us.
HELP OUT AT OUR LOCAL PERFORMANCES
We are seeking the help of event staff to assist at our local performances. We currently stage around five concerts a year at St Mary’s Church in Warwick and are looking for somebody to assist the charity by preparing the performance area and audience seating for our classical music concerts. The role would be suited to enthusiastic and friendly individuals, a keen interest in music would be a plus. If you are interested, please contact Becky Coates by email: bcoates@armonico.org.uk
SUPPORT OUR WARWICK MEMORY SINGERS
We are holding weekly singing sessions for people who are living with dementia and their carers, and the turn out is growing quickly every week. We are on the hunt for more volunteers who are able to come and support us each Wednesday at 1pm at All Saint’s Church, CV34 5NL. Volunteers will work on a rota basis depending on their availability. If you can help, please contact Sarah Riddell by email: sriddell@armonico.org.uk
Generously
by Hilary Eldridge, member of Armonico Consort’s Conductor’s
CORPORATE
SPONSORS
Phillips66 Limited
JET
Phillips and Becker
Accountancy
Services
Tractivity Limited
Rayburn Tours
NP Aerospace
Braunston Marina
Limited
Howards of Stratford
Limited
Angels Solicitors LLP
PATRONS
Mrs C Beecham
Helen Brittain
Mr Michael Burrows
Mrs S Carr-Wu
Coralie Clark
Mrs J Cooke
Mrs Dawn Curtis
Mrs Gemma Davies
Mr Anthony E Davies
Mrs D Fowler
Mr Malcolm Garner
Caryll Green & Dr
Elizabeth Saxon
Dr Barbara A Harland
Monica Heath
Mr Andrew Lawton
Mrs S J Liggins
Miss Jennifer Lorch
Miss Ursula Lowe
Mrs H Mills
Dr A Nicholls
We are especially grateful to the following Benefactors who have given most generously to support our work:
Ms Benedetta Polk
Dr & Mrs C P Rourke
Mr Jim Rowley
Peta Sams
Mr David Sarginson
Dr Derek Smith
Mrs Sidney Syson
Mr I M Taylor
Mrs Patricia Tomlinson
Mrs J Upward
Dr Louise Warburton
Mrs J Ward
Peter & Pat Wartnaby
Mr & Mrs J
Wynn-Evans
ENCORE APPEAL
PATRONS
Dr Kate Bailey
Mr Jazz Bhamra
Mr & Mrs D & H
Bradley
Margaret CaselyHayford CBE and Giles Quarme
Mr M J Cooke
Rebecca Earle
Mr and Mrs Faulds
Tony and Helen
Fitzpatrick
Professor Roger Gadsby MBE
& Mrs Pam Gadsby
Mr Malcolm Harbour
CBE & Mrs Penny
Harbour
Gillian Higginson
Jon Jeffery
Brian & Wendy Lloyd
Robert Macpherson
Dr F C Millard
Jeremy Moody
Pamela Stanier
Mr and Mrs CJL
Thorne
ENCORE APPEAL BENEFACTORS
His Honour Richard
Cole DL & Mrs Sheila
Cole
Hugh & Felicity
Furber
David & Sally Howells
Mr David Kershaw
CBE JP
Mr Nigel May
Mrs Janet Moore & Honorary Alderman
Michael Hammon
Pam O’Brien
Capt. Dermot
Rhodes
Barbara &
Christopher Purser
Roger Wiglesworth
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
Clive & Paula
Benfield
Mr John Boyden
Nick & Katie Chester
Sir Martin Dunne
KCVO &
Mrs Mish Dunne
Mrs Margaret Eardley
Sir John Egan
& Lady Julia Egan
Derek & Rosemary
Holding
John Osborn CBE
The Pragnell Family
Gerry Slora & Jill Slora
CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE
Mr J Cook
Mrs Hilary Eldridge
Paul & Brigitta Lock
Mr Jamie Justham &
Mrs Alison Justham
Mr Roger Medwell
MBE DL
Mr David Phillips
MBE & Mrs Robina
Phillips
Dr Paul Thandi
CBE DL & Mrs Nicki
Thandi
Mr & Mrs Turner
ARMONICO CONSORT LTD
2 New Street, Warwick, CV34 4RX 01926 800 109
www.armonico.org.uk
hello@armonico.org.uk
Registered charity no. 1103159
facebook.com/ArmonicoConsort
@ArmonicoConsort
@ArmonicoConsort
youtube.com/ArmonicoConsort
The information in this brochure is correct at the time of going to press. Armonico Consort reserves the right to change programmes and artists if necessary. In this eventuality, tickets cannot be refunded.
Images © Ashmore Visuals
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