Armonico Consort Season brochure 2020

2019 / 2020 SEASON

SPRING SUMMER ‘PURE PLEASURE’ THE INDEPENDENT |

J.S. BACH MASS IN B MINOR

THE KING’S SINGERS FEATURING AC ACADEMY WORCESTERSHIRE

www.armonico.org.uk

THE GUARDIAN THE TIMES

AC ACADEMY DOES THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

DIDO & AENEAS

Registered charity no. 1103159

AC Academy is generously supported by Phillips 66 & JET and endorsed by The Royal Albert Hall

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY JAN

APR

JUN

28 The King’s Singers featuring AC Academy Worcestershire Malvern Theatres 31 J.S Bach, Mass in B minor Lighthouse, Poole

12

21

.S Bach, Mass in J B minor St John’s Smith Square, London The Roderick Williams Masterclass

The Court House, Warwick

03 A C Academy does the Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall, London 18 Dido & Aeneas | Pergolesi Stabat Mater

Warwick Arts Centre 19 Dido & Aeneas | Pergolesi Stabat Mater

Malvern Theatres 24 Beowulf Octagon Theatre, Yeovil 26 Dido & Aeneas | Pergolesi Stabat Mater Thaxted Festival 27 Oz & Armonico Drink to Music Botley Music Festival

FEB 01 J.S Bach, Mass in

B minor

Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

Generously supported

by David Phillips & Phillips and Becker Accountants Ltd 08 J.S Bach, Mass in

B minor

Malvern Theatres Generously sponsored

by John Osborn 11 J.S Bach, Mass in

B minor

The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil

MAR 06 J.S Bach, Mass in

B minor

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

MAY 05 Oz & Armonico Drink to Music: A Second Sip Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts 19 Oz & Armonico Drink to Music:

Gin & Phonic

The Court House, Warwick Generously supported

by Roger Medwell

MBE DL 21 Oz & Armonico

Drink to Music:

Gin & Phonic

Bury St Edmunds Festival 23 Love Handels

English Music Festival

JUL 13 Beowulf Llandeilo Music Festival 16 Beowulf

Lichfield Festival 22-25 AC Academy Tour

BOOKING TICKETS Tickets for our local performances can be purchased through the Royal Spa Centre & Town Hall Box Office which is located in the Visitor Information Centre, Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington Spa CV32 4AA. OPENING TIMES: Mon – Fri: 10am – 4pm | Sat & Sun: 10am – 3pm | Bank Hols: Closed Tickets can also be purchased by phone: 01926 334418 or online: www.armonico.org.uk

Image © Rebecca Reid

THE KING’S SINGERS FEATURING AC ACADEMY THE KING’S SINGERS AC ACADEMY WORCESTERSHIRE CHOIRS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS Following the success of our collaboration in October 2019, AC Academy will once again be teaming up with arguably the world’s most famous vocal ensemble, the King’s Singers. Our Worcestershire AC Academy choirs look forward to joining the ensemble at Malvern Theatres as they perform repertoire from their recent recordings in addition to our newly commissioned vocal symphony “Suitcase Full of Songs” which was premiered with the group in 2019.

Acclaimed for their life-affirming virtuosity and irresistible charm, the group are in global demand having accumulated many glowing reviews, two Grammy® Awards, an Emmy® Award, and numerous other awards.

This will be a rare opportunity to hear the group live and an event not to be missed!

TUE 28 JAN | 7PM Malvern Theatres TICKETS: £21.50 | £17.50 + booking fee 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

In partnership with Severn Arts

J.S. BACH MASS IN B MINOR ARMONICO CONSORT DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS SOPRANO | ELIN MANAHAN THOMAS It could be argued that J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor should have been titled ‘Bach’s Greatest Hits’, for that is what Bach himself aimed to achieve with this masterpiece. Composed over the final 25 years of his life and completed just one year before he died, the Mass is scattered with music and references that Bach considered to be his best work, or movements which he had allowed to develop over time and had returned to ‘perfect’ at a later date.

Never performed complete in his lifetime, the work is in effect Bach’s own self-obituary, how he wanted to be remembered by the world. If you have never heard it live, this is one concert you absolutely must not miss.

Featuring the incredible international soprano and baroque specialist Elin Manahan Thomas and some of the UK’s finest young professional soloists, this evening will be the perfect way to indulge in Bach at his finest.

FRI 31 JAN | 7PM Lighthouse, Poole TICKETS: £28.25 | £26.25 | £20.25 01202 280000 or www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

TUE 11 FEB | 7.30PM The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil TICKETS: £25.00 | £23.50 | £15.00 01935 422884 or www.octagon-theatre.co.uk

SAT 01 FEB | 7.30PM The Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick Generously supported by David Phillips & Phillips and Becker Accountants Ltd. TICKETS: £33.50 to include interval drinks and free programme £22.50 | £16.50 | £12.50 + booking fee 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk

FRI 06 MAR | 7.30PM St David’s Hall, Cardiff TICKETS: £25.00 + booking fee 029 2087 8444 or www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

SAT 08 FEB | 7.30PM Malvern Theatres Generously sponsored by John Osborn TICKETS: £24.64 | £21.28 | £17.92 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

SUN 12 APR | 3PM St John’s Smith Square, London TICKETS: £35, £28, £22, £14 + booking fee

020 7222 1061 or www.sjss.org.uk

TUE 19 MAY | 7.30PM The Court House, Warwick TICKETS: £24.50 + booking fee 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk Generously supported by Roger Medwell MBE DL THU 21 MAY | 7.30PM Bury St Edmunds Festival TICKETS: £24.50 + booking fee 01284 758000 or www.buryfestival.co.uk

BRAND NEW PROGRAMME

OZ & ARMONICO DRINK TO MUSIC: GIN & PHONIC! COUNTERTENOR | WILLIAM TOWERS MUSICAL DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS NARRATOR | OZ CLARKE In the third instalment of this hugely successful programme, the Oz & Armonico team investigate the highs and lows (mainly highs) of the relationship between gin, music and humans over the centuries.

International wine expert, author and TV presenter Oz Clarke returns to host the perfect evening of music, gin, incredible facts and blunt fiction.

Enjoy a glass of gin or two whilst hearing the incredible music of Purcell, Handel and Dowland whilst learning of the incredible tales of human endeavour, and failure, which has given us one of the most celebrated resurgences in alcoholic modern history.

Ticket price includes two tasting glasses of gin.

Also featuring the Oz & Armonico Drink to Music Series this summer: 05 MAY Mayfield Festival (A Second Sip) 27 JUN Botley Music Festival (Oz & Armonico Drink to Music)

Generously sponsored

by Palmers Gin.

AC ACADEMY DOES THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL 4!

AC Academy are delighted to announce their fourth performance on the world’s most famous stage at the Royal Albert Hall! Over 2,500 singers from our AC Academy choirs across the UK will be joined by world class musicians and soloists in an epic concert which will set people’s hearts on fire through some of the greatest music ever written.

From opera to pop to a classic “Last Night of the Proms’ medley, these incredible singers will create a totally unforgettable evening!

Armonico Consort’s Voice Squad Choirs from the UK will also come together, along with the incredible children from our Special Educational Needs programme, all performing together as one unified voice.

WED 03 JUNE | 7PM The Royal Albert Hall TICKETS: £24.00 | £22.50 + booking fee

020 7589 8212 or www.royalalberthall.com

“Enlivening spirit and tragic intensity’ This recording of a classic English opera lacks nothing in humanity”

THE TELEGRAPH “The vocal ensembles are beautifully sparse and luminous and the instrumental playing is brightly streamlined”

THE GUARDIAN Long term supporters of Armonico Consort, Jack and Hilary Eldridge, are delighted to help make this performance possible.

DIDO & AENEAS | PURCELL STABAT MATER | PERGOLESI SOPRANO | ELIZABETH ADAMS COUNTERTENOR | WILLIAM TOWERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS The incredible voices of William Towers countertenor, and Elizabeth Adams soprano, bring to life Pergolesi’s masterpiece, Stabat Mater. Demonstrating Baroque music at its finest, this provides a fitting partner to the excitement of Henry Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas.

Dido & Aeneas has become a work at the heart of the British musical heritage. In a highly emotionally charged and entertaining performance, the epic tragedy of a queen, a soldier and an illicit love is told through a rich array of music.

Performed with minimal staging, Armonico Consort’s beautifully tender and entertaining rendition of this incredible opera has delighted audiences across Europe, earning spectacular five star reviews from the national press.

THU 18 JUNE | 7.30PM Warwick Arts Centre TICKETS: £22.50 | £19.50 | £16.50 | 12.00 024 7652 4524 or www.warwickartscentre.co.uk FRI 19 JUNE | 7.30PM Malvern Theatres TICKETS: £24.64 | £21.28 | £17.92 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk FRI 26 JUNE | 8PM Thaxted Festival TICKETS: £27 | £25 | £20 | £15 | £10 (on sale 07 April) 01371 831421 or www.thaxtedfestival.co.uk

© Benjamin Ealovega

AC ACADEMY GOES FOR BAROQUE For the first time, the new AC Academy Warwick Youth Choir and Scholars will be joined by some of our professional string players and singers to produce a highly entertaining evening. In this performance they will explore works from the Baroque period as well as indulging in the lighter side of music.

This concert will also give you the opportunity to experience solo performances by some of our incredible young Scholars. As we teach our Scholars...“If it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it!

WED 25 MAR | 7PM All Saints’ Church, Leek Wooton, Warwickshire TICKETS: £8.50 | £6.50 + booking fee 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk

THE RODERICK WILLIAMS MASTERCLASS International baritone Roderick Williams shares his expertise with some of our AC Academy Scholars as they prepare for Oxbridge choral scholarship entry.

TUE 21 APRIL | 7PM The Court House, Warwick TICKETS: £9.50 + booking fee 01926 334418 or www.armonico.org.uk

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 7 - 18

THE LEGACY OF A CHOIR THAT LASTS FOREVER

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH Armonico Consort’s education outreach programme continues to go from strength to strength!

AC Academy is our extensive and imaginative singing education programme, which reaches 15,000 young people a year offering life-changing experiences and first-class performance opportunities through fun and engaging singing projects.

We develop and support choirs and choir leaders across the UK through our in-school Choir Creation Scheme, after school AC Academy choirs and SEN projects in partnership with music services nationwide and in collaboration with venues such as The Royal Albert Hall.

ACAcademyChoirs

Through partnerships with music services nation-wide, we strive to create a singing legacy across the UK. We develop and support choirs and choir leaders through our in-school Choir Creation Scheme and after school AC Academy Choirs. By 2020, we aim to have created 300 children’s choirs and 300 new choir leaders!

We are looking forward to our concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 3rd June when over 2,500 children from across the UK will join together with our Voice Squad choirs, SEN schools, and world class musicians, as one unified voice.

We are also thrilled to be taking 40 of our young singers to Belgium in July for five days with Rayburn Tours, to perform at the Ghent Festival and at the Church of Our Lady (Onzelieve-Vrouwekerk) in De Panne. This will be a unique and exciting opportunity for all of them!

@ACAcademyChoirs

@ACAcademyChoirs

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 info, contact Gaynor Larkin, Head of Education: glarkin@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.

NEXT STEPS: 16-18 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 info, contact the Education department: education@armonico.org.uk

WARWICK: TUESDAYS COVENTRY: WEDNESDAYS SOLIHULL: THURSDAYS www.armonico.org.uk/ac-academy

AC Academy is endorsed by the Royal Albert Hall

AC Academy is generously supported by:

WE HAVE LAUNCHED A BRAND NEW VENTURE FOR ARMONICO CONSORT…THE VOICE SQUAD! BESPOKE AND FUN TEAMBUILDING CHORAL WORKSHOPS FOR THE CORPORATE AND PRIVATE SECTOR, RUN BY OUR SPECIALIST LEADERS.

ARMONICO CONSORT THE VOICE SQUAD - BUILDING CHOIRS AND CONFIDENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

www.armonico.org.uk

BUILD A CHOIR IN JUST HALF A DAY VOICE SQUAD SESSIONS ARE: • Fun and friendly with absolutely no musical experience needed • Suitable for 10 to 100 people • Designed to take place anywhere on your premises

• L ed by Armonico Consort’s professional choir leaders and experienced rehearsal pianists with keyboard • Supported with all the musical and technical resources necessary

YOU PROVIDE THE WORKFORCE AND WORKPLACE, WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING ELSE! FIND OUT HOW CREATING A VOICE SQUAD WORKPLACE CHOIR CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS EMAIL:

voicesquad@armonico.org.uk

VISIT:

www.armonico.org.uk/voice-squad

JOIN US Critically acclaimed choir and instrumental ensemble Armonico Consort entertains audiences across the country with its high quality concerts, outstanding recordings and innovative projects. Drawing on the passions of our forward-thinking founder and artistic director Christopher Monks, our professional singers and musicians perform inspiring programmes, spanning the Baroque to the present day.

AC Academy is our extensive and imaginative singing education programme, which reaches 15,000 young people a year offering life-changing experiences and first-class performance opportunities through fun and engaging singing projects. We develop and support choirs

HELP US INSPIRE WITH INNOVATIVE AND EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC and choir leaders across the UK through our in-school Choir Creation Scheme, after school AC Academy Choirs and Special Educational Needs projects, in partnership with music services nationwide and in collaboration with venues such as the Royal Albert Hall.

We currently receive no regular public funding for this work, and so we are reliant on the generosity of grantgiving trusts and our regular donors and supporters to continue making amazing music in schools and concert halls.

If you feel inspired to support us, please contact Nick Drew, Head of Development and Planning on 01926 800109 (ext.5) or ndrew@armonico.org.uk

BENEFITS PATRON For as little as £8 per month or £96 annually, you can become a Patron of the charity and support our music-making and education work with a regular donation.

BENEFACTOR With a gift of £45 per month, or £540 annually, you can become either an Education or Performance Benefactor.

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE With the generous support of the President’s Circle, we are able to secure some of the world’s finest musicians, perform in prestigious venues and reach thousands of children each year. In thanks for your gift of £125 per month, or £1500 annually, you will receive exclusive benefits.

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE The Conductor’s Circle represents the highest level of membership and commitment to our work, with a donation of £250 per month or £3000 annually.

ADVERTISE

IN ARMONICO CONSORT’S SEASON BROCHURE

We are able to offer advertising space in our season brochures. This will help to support our innovative music and education work, through AC Academy. Our season brochure lists our events and concerts over a sixmonth period and is distributed twice a year (Spring/Summer | Autumn/Winter).

REACH We produce two high-quality, full-colour, A5 Season Brochures in June (Autumn/ Winter) and January (Spring/Summer); each has a circulation of 4,000. Approximately 1,500 are mailed directly to patrons and friends of Armonico Consort with the rest being distributed via direct handouts, schools, brochure racks, tourist information centres and other public locations, as well as being available on-line.

The majority of those on our mailing list are in A/B/C1 socio-economic groups, and have a passion for the arts. Alongside the 1,500 circulation of the paper brochure, there is a 1,700 circulation for our email communications.

RATES HALF PAGE

148mm (w) x 105mm (h)

£250

FULL PAGE

148mm (w) x 210mm (h)

£500

SUBMISSION Artwork should be supplied as a high resolution PDF (300dpi), CMYK, with 3mm bleed.

For more information or to place an advert, please contact Marketing Manager Jen Cuthbertson on 01926 800 109 or jcuthbertson@armonico.org.uk.

Other forms of brand visibility and partnerships, for example sponsorship of projects or events, are available. For more information or to discuss how your organisation could get involved, please contact Eva Williams: Email: ewilliams@armonico.org.uk | Telephone: 01926 800 109 (ext.6)

ARMONICO RECORDINGS

NEW RECORDING

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 to purchase at all major retailers or by contacting: marketing@armonico.org.uk or 01926 800109 ext 4. Also available to download from iTunes, Amazon, etc.

BEOWULF

DIDO & AENEAS

SUPERSIZE POLYPHONY

J. S. BACH, SOLO CANTATAS

GREENSLEEVES

ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT

LET THE BRIGHT SERAPHIM

NAKED BYRD

NAKED BYRD 2

REQUIEM

THE FAIRY QUEEN

DIXIT DOMINUS

NEW RECORDING:

HANDELIAN PYROTECHNICS Handelian Pyrotechnics was performed

by Countertenor William Towers and recorded by Signum records in November 2019 and will be released in Spring 2020. Thank you to our wonderful sponsors Jack and Hilary Eldridge and their mother Peggy who have made the recording of this CD possible, in memory of Jack’s father, Angus John Eldridge. Angus loved music all his life and would have been delighted with this memorial.

To pre order your CD online use the following link: https://forms.gle/i7Phadjw9PsoPJMX6 Or contact Jen Cuthbertson: 01926 800109 ext 4 or via email marketing@armonico.org.uk

The Palmer family have been distilling spirits for six generations. 2020 marks their 100th year of producing gin. They distil over 300 stock gin recipes as well as creating bespoke recipes for over 75% of the UK’s artisanal brands of Gins.

Langley Distillery, in the Midlands, is home to what the family believes is the UK’s oldest working copper pot gin still. The Still Room houses seven copper gin stills, which are all named after family members and significant people who have worked at the distillery.

In 2017, the family launched their first eponymous-brand gin, Palmers London Dry Gin.

www.palmersgin.com

CD FEATURES: Ombra mai fu, Al lampo dell’armi, Dove sei and arias from Orlando, Agrippina Radamisto and Poro.

Oz & Armonico drink to music: Gin & Phonic is generously sponsored by Palmers Gin

AC ACADEMY SCHOLARS The AC Academy Scholarship programme is designed to create a pathway for talented teenage singers towards university, with special focus on Oxbridge choral scholarship preparation.

Receiving expert tuition from the UK’s top singers and teachers, and coaching from Artistic Director Christopher Monks, the AC Academy Scholars perform regularly alongside the professional singers of Armonico Consort in a variety of different programmes.

Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) is one of the most significant figures in British 20th century music, particularly when it comes to choral and vocal music.

For this reason, we are really pleased that the charitable trust established in Finzi’s memory has agreed to support two of our AC Academy Scholars.

Josh and Lara will be our “Finzi Trust Scholars” for this year, benefiting from subsidised singing lessons and choral courses, bursaries to buy instruments,

and of course the chance to perform with our professional Consort choir.

It costs £1500 each year to provide these opportunities for each of our Scholars, and we are fundraising actively to support all of our Scholars. Other AC Academy Scholars are generously supported by Baljit Shergill and Dr Paul Thandi DL, and other donors to the scheme this year include Roger Medwell MBE DL and Patricia Medwell, Sir Martin and Lady Dunne, Ben and Emma Burbidge, Jamie and Alison Justham, and Evelyn Berry.

If you would like to help, please get in touch with Nick Drew, Head of Development and Planning, for a detailed discussion: ndrew@armonico.org.uk

AC Academy Scholarship programme is generously supported by the Finzi Trust.

We are especially grateful to the following Benefactors who have given most generously to support our work: CORPORATE SPONSORS Phillips66 Limited JET Phillips and Becker Accountancy Services Rayburn Tours Braunston Marina

Mr James E Drake Mrs Veronica Eden Mr & Mrs Faulds Mrs D Fowler Mr Hugh Furber Mr Malcolm Garner Mr Malcolm Harbour CBE & Mrs Penny PATRONS Harbour Mrs Juliet Amery Dr Barbara A Mrs C Beecham Harland Mrs Pauline M Mrs Maureen Harris Brace Mrs Susan Headley Joseph Bradshaw Rev Wendy Heaney Helen Brittain Monica Heath Mr David Burbidge Dr J Henderson CBE Sally & David Mr Michael Burrows Howells Group Captain Mr J S W Jeffery Peter Butcher OBE Mr Andrew Lawton Mrs S Carr-Wu Mrs S J Liggins Miss A M Cessford Miss Jennifer Lorch Mr Tim Coghlan Miss Ursula Lowe His Honour Mr Robert Richard Cole DL Macpherson Mrs A Cook Mr & Mrs Mr J Cook Meehan Mrs J Cooke Dr F C Millard Mr M J Cooke Mrs H Mills Mr & Mrs D J Mrs S Y Neville Couchman Ms Angela Nicholls Mrs V Cox Mr D R Patterson Mrs Dawn Curtis Mr Russell Payne Mrs Gemma Davies Ms Simone Mr Anthony E Pickworth Davies Ms Benedetta Polk

Barbara & Christopher Purser Professor Alan Richens Dr and Mrs C P Rourke Mr Jim Rowley Mr David Sarginson Caryll Green & Dr Elizabeth Saxon Dr Derek Smith Professor Bryan Stoten Mrs Sidney Syson Mr I M Taylor Mr & Mrs C J Thorne Mrs Patricia Tomlinson Mrs J Upward Dr Louise Warburton Mrs J Ward Peter & Pat Wartnaby Mrs Bridget Winstanley Mr & Mrs J Wynn-Evans EDUCATION PATRONS & BENEFACTORS Mrs Evelyn Berry Mr Ben Burbidge & Mrs Emma Burbidge

Roger Cadbury CBE Mrs Sheila Cole Mr David Kershaw CBE JP Mr Nigel May Capt. Dermot Rhodes Dr Paul Thandi DL CBE & Mrs Nicki Thandi Roger Wiglesworth CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE Mr J C A Eldridge & Mrs Hilary Eldridge Mr Roger Medwell MBE, DL & Mrs Patricia Medwell Mr John Osborn Mr David & Mrs Robina Phillips Mr Baljit & Mrs Jinny Shergill PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Mr John Boyden Sir Martin Dunne Mrs Margaret Eardley Sir John & Lady Julia Egan Mr Jamie & Mrs Alison Justham Gerry & Jill Slora

CONTACT US ARMONICO CONSORT LTD 2 New Street, Warwick CV34 4RX

facebook.com/ArmonicoConsort @ArmonicoConsort @ArmonicoConsort

01926 800 109 admin@armonico.org.uk www.armonico.org.uk

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 Š Peter Marsh, Ashmore Visuals Š Simon J Price

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