Armonico Consort's Spring/Summer Season Brochure 2024 by Armonico Consort

2024 SEASON

SPRING SUMMER ‘PURE PLEASURE’ THE GUARDIAN THE TIMES

THE INDEPENDENT

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

THE TELEGRAPH

I N S P I R I N G A U D I E N C E S W I T H P A S S I O N AT E P E R F O R M A N C E S MOZART: GREAT MASS IN C MINOR

www.armonico.org.uk

THE FAIRY QUEEN

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Registered charity no. 1103159

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

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.

BRAND NEW CHRISTMAS RECORDING

BRAND NEW RECORDING

NOËL

SCARLATTI DIXIT DOMINUS & MESSA A 16

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

THE GUARDIAN

HANDELIAN PYROTECHNICS

BEOWULF

DIDO & AENEAS

ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT

NAKED BYRD

NAKED BYRD 2

J. S. BACH, SOLO CANTATAS

GREENSLEEVES

SUPERSIZE POLYPHONY

LET THE BRIGHT SERAPHIM

THE FAIRY QUEEN

REQUIEM

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY JAN

Handel Dixit Dominus – F Scarlatti Daniele 27 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

FEB

Handel Dixit Dominus – F Scarlatti Daniele 03 Malvern Theatres The Forgotten Scarlatti Tour 08 Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil The Forgotten Scarlatti with Rachel Podger 12 Birmingham Town Hall

MAR

Love Handels 22 The Court House, Warwick 23-26 Tour of Middle East

APRIL

Mozart: Great Mass in C minor | J S Bach Magnificat in D BWV 243 12 Malvern Theatres 13 Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

MAY

Oz and Armonico Gin and Phonic 08 Mayfield Festival Dido and Aeneas 19 The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh Oz and Armonico Ale-lelujah 23 Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa

JUNE

The Fairy Queen 21 Northern Aldborough Festival, Yorkshire 27 Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa 29 Malvern Theatres

JULY

The Fairy Queen 06 Thaxted Festival AC Academy does the Royal Albert Hall 09 Royal Albert Hall Oz and Armonico Ale-lelujah TBC Harrogate Music Festival Oz and Armonico Gin and Phonic 11 Lichfield Festival 23 West Green House Opera The Forgotten Scarlatti Tour 13 Llandeilo Festival, Wales 29 Three Choirs Festival, Worcester

BOOKING TICKETS 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

HANDEL DIXIT DOMINUS - F SCARLATTI DANIELE WORLD PREMIERE DANIELE | FRANCESCO SCARLATTI (UK PREMIERE) MISERERE MEI | FRANCESCO SCARLATTI DIXIT DOMINUS | GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS In one of the bible’s most epic and incredible stories, Scarlatti brings to life a tale of betrayal, courage, faith, and love. The story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den lay hidden in a library for centuries. Unearthed by Armonico Consort, this treasure is one of the most dramatic oratorios ever set to music. Le Figaro (Paris) claimed that our last Scarlatti discovery was the greatest classical find of the century! We think this WORLD PREMIERE is even GREATER and one not to be missed.

SAT 27 JAN 2024 | 7.30PM Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick TICKETS: £36.50 | £25.50 £19.50 | £14.50 Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk This performance is generously supported by Hilary Eldridge, member of the Conductor’s Circle SAT 03 FEB 2024 | 7.30PM Malvern Theatres TICKETS: £35.84 | £32.48 £29.12 Box office: 01684 892277 www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Programme includes: HANDEL Duet: ‘Caro, Bella piu amabile belta’ from ‘Giulio Cesare’ HANDEL Aria: ‘Ombra mai fu’ from ‘Xerxes’ HANDEL Duet: ‘No, no ch’io non apprezzo’ from ‘Agrippina’ VIVALDI Aria: ‘Nulla in mundo pax sincera’ VIVALDI Aria: ‘Cum dederit’ from ‘Nisi Dominus’ HANDEL Duet: ‘Welcome as the dawn of day’ from ‘Solomon’

LOVE HANDELS ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS COUNTERTENOR | WILLIAM TOWERS SOPRANO | EMMA BELL Join us for this gem of a programme, which encompasses some of the most beautiful arias and duets from the Baroque woven together with poems and stories exploring love through the centuries.

Duet: ‘Caro, Dolce, amico amplesso’ HANDEL Aria: ‘Dove sei, amato bene?’ from ‘Rodelinda’ MONTEVERDI Duet: ‘Pur ti miro’ from ‘L’incoronazione di Poppea’ PURCELL Aria: ‘When I am laid in earth’ from ‘Dido & Aeneas’ HANDEL Duet: ‘Streams of Pleasure’ from ‘Theodora FRI 22 MAR 2024 | 7.30PM The Court House, Warwick TICKETS: £24.50 Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk

THE FORGOTTEN SCARLATTI TOUR ARMONICO CONSORT DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS If you love both the splendid choral grandeur of Bach and Handel, but also the polychoral works of the Venetian baroque and the ornate spacial complexity of Tallis’ Spem in Alium, this programme of Francesco Scarlatti’s rarely performed masterpieces in exclusive brand new editions by Dr Geoffrey Webber, is not be missed. Hidden in the Bodleian Library for hundreds of years, these masterpieces are once again remastered and brought to life. At Birmingham Town Hall, international violinist Rachel Podger returns to treat both our audiences and performers to her totally unique and inspirational approach to Bach’s virtuosic Violin Concerto in A Minor and Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G Major from La Stravaganza. Taking place at Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil in February 2024, and at The Three Choirs Festival in summer 2024, to complement these incredible works, probably one of the best-known choral works of all time - Vivaldi’s Gloria receives the Armonico treatment, exploding into life with its inimitable joy, wit and baroque charm!

‘SPECTACULAIRE! THE GREATEST CLASSICAL MUSIC FIND OF THE CENTURY!’ Le Figaro The Organ

Cross Rhythms

‘STRONG AND SUPERBLY SHAPED BY MONKS’ – Gramophone ‘EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT!’ Radio France Programme includes: BACH & VIVALDI VIOLINS MON 12 FEB 2024, 7.30PM Birmingham Town Hall (with Rachel Podger) TICKETS: £35 | £15 Box office: 0121 780 3333 www.bmusic.co.uk This performance is generously supported by Mr John Osborn CBE

Programme includes: F. SCARLATTI DIXIT DOMINUS & MESSA A 16 A. VIVALDI GLORIA THU 08 FEB 2024, 7.30PM Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil TICKETS: £25 | £23.50 | £21.50 Box office: 01935 422884 www.westlandsyeovil.co.uk SAT 13 JULY 2024, 7PM Llandeilo Festival, Wales www.llandeilomusicfestival.org.uk MON 29 JULY 2024, 7.30PM Three Choirs Festival, Worcester www.3choirs.org

MOZART

GREAT MASS IN C MINOR

J S BACH

MAGNIFICAT IN D BWV 243 ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS Demonstrating the huge influence of Bach and Handel who Mozart was studying at the time, his Great Mass in C minor is regarded by many to be one of his greatest works. Reflecting the pomp and solemnity which was characteristic at the time in Salzburg where it was first performed, it is a masterpiece in the realms of mass settings across the centuries. For so many lovers of his choral music, Bach’s incredible Magnificat is his finest work and without doubt the most dramatic and intensely beautiful of any setting of this text. As virtuosic and almost acrobatic in writing for the singers as it is tender and sublime in its beauty, it is simply Bach at his finest.

OZ AND ARMONICO: ALE-LELUJAH NARRATOR | OZ CLARKE MUSICIANS | WILLIAM TOWERS, CHRISTOPHER MONKS & ELOISE IRVING PLUS GUESTS Join Britain’s best-loved boozebrain on a Quest for the Holy Ale. Oz Clarke returns for another evening of music, mayhem and mild malt liquor. Mixing in a four thousand year-old Hymn to the Goddess of Beer, with Purcell’s ‘Drunken Poet’, Bach, Weelkes and some Hopular Hits of the Beerhalle, Oz will assiduously guide you from bar to bar. This programme will suit all palates, from part-time tipplers and querulous quaffers, to the upper echelons of the inebriati. WISH YOU WERE BEER!!

THU 23 MAY 2024 | 7.30PM Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa TICKETS: £29.50 – to include two glasses of beer Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk Generously sponsored by Roger Medwell DL MBE, President of Armonico Consort

THE FAIRY QUEEN HENRY PURCELL ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS NARRATORS | OZ CLARKE & LAURA MORETTO SOPRANO | ELOISE IRVING & HANNAH FRASER-MACKENZIE ALTO | WILLIAM TOWERS TENOR | NATHAN VALE BASS | GARETH JOHN For 15 years, Armonico Consort has been in demand by festivals in the UK and Europe to perform its inimitable version of Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas. The singers and actors of the company now turn their attention to Purcell’s greatest semiopera in a brand new semi-staged version with a specially-adapted script from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to create for the first time a modern day retelling of both of these incredible works in one joyous evening! Armonico Consort will conjure up Purcell’s world of dreams and darkness, love and laughter in a not to be missed evening!

FRI 21 JUN 2024 Northern Aldborough Box office: www.aldboroughfestival.co.uk THU 27 JUN 2024 Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa Box office: 01926 334418 www.armonico.org.uk This performance is generously supported by Hilary Eldridge, member of the Conductor’s Circle

SAT 29 JUN 2024 Malvern Theatres TICKETS: £35.84 | £32.48 | £29.12 Box office: 01684 892277 www.malvern-theatres.co.uk SAT 06 JUL 2024 Thaxted Festival Box office: www.thaxtedfestival.co.uk

AC ACADEMY DOES THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL FEATURING CARMINA BURANA ARMONICO CONSORT DIRECTOR | CHRISTOPHER MONKS AC ACADEMY CHOIRS & SCHOLARS ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN Witness the spectacle of 2,500 young singers from 60 choirs across the UK, once again taking over the Royal Albert Hall, who have been trained by our AC Academy specialists. In a contrasting first half, the lighter side of music from the last 100 years will be retold including a world premiere from our legendary SEN musicians. In the second half thousands will come together with world-class musicians to create a ground-breaking performance of highlights from Carl Orff’s incredible Carmina Burana, including a professional symphony orchestra and chorus. We are also very excited to be joined on this occasion by some previous dancers from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing!

Programme includes: An exploration of the lighter side of music from the last 100 years! Carmina Burana (Highlights) TUE 9 JUL 2024 | 7.30PM Royal Albert Hall Box office: 020 7589 8212 www.royalalberthall.com

NEXT SEASON

HANDEL: L’ALLEGRO, IL PENSEROSO ED IL MODERATO

THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD

NEXT SEASON

HANDEL MESSIAH

www.armonico.org.uk Registered charity no. 1103159

Warwick

Memory Singers Wednesdays 1pm-2.30pm All Saints Church, Vicarage Fields, Warwick, CV34 5NL FIRST SESSIO N FREE!

To book a place or for further information please contact Sarah Riddell: sriddell@armonico.org.uk or call 07722 632242

Generously sponsored by Hilary Eldridge, member of Armonico Consort’s Conductor’s 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

SUPPORT OUR WARWICK MEMORY SINGERS

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 and may include some heavy lifting. A keen interest in music would be a plus. If you are interested, please contact Becky Coates by email: bcoates@armonico.org.uk

We are holding weekly singing sessions for people who are living with dementia and their carers, and the turnout 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

2024 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

DONATE

& Make a Difference Led by Armonico Consort’s professional musicians, we bring our expertise and knowledge to create amazing musical experiences for communities. We provide singing programmes for young people, employees, older adults, care homes and singing workshops for people who are living with dementia.

HERE’S HOW YOUR DONATION COULD SUPPORT US:

£20

Provides refreshments at one of our Memory Singers sessions for people living with dementia.

£50

Covers the travel costs for our workshop leaders visiting a school in a deprived area with one of our life-changing choir creation projects.

£150

Meets the cost of a pianist for one of our performance workshops.

£500

Pays for the props and costumes for one of our amazing SEN performances.

£4,500

Pays for a full three-school programme of choir creation projects in schools over a half term.

You can donate securely on our website: www.armonico.org.uk

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 Tractivity Limited Rayburn Tours NP Aerospace Braunston Marina Limited Howards of Stratford Limited Angels Solicitors LLP

Miss Jennifer Lorch Miss Ursula Lowe Mrs H Mills Dr A Nicholls Mr Russell Payne Ms Benedetta Polk Dr & Mrs C P Rourke Mr Jim Rowley 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 PATRONS Peter & Pat Wartnaby Mrs C Beecham Mr & Mrs J Mrs Pauline M Brace Wynn-Evans Joseph Bradshaw Helen Brittain PRESIDENT’S Mr Michael Burrows CIRCLE Mrs S Carr-Wu Clive & Paula Coralie Clark Benfield Mrs A Cook Mr John Boyden Mrs J Cooke Nick & Katie Chester Mr & Mrs D J Sir Martin Dunne Couchman KCVO & Mrs Mish Mrs Dawn Curtis Dunne Mrs Gemma Davies Mrs Margaret Eardley Mr Anthony E Davies Sir John Egan & Mrs D Fowler Lady Julia Egan Mr Malcolm Garner Revd James Knights Caryll Green & & Mrs Dorothy Dr Elizabeth Saxon Knights Dr Barbara A Harland Mr Nigel May Revd Wendy Heaney Mrs Janet Moore & Monica Heath Honorary Alderman Mr Andrew Lawton Mrs S J Liggins Michael Hammon

John Osborn CBE Gerry Slora & Jill Slora CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE Mr & Mrs H S Brar His Honour Richard Cole DL & Mrs Sheila Cole 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 Mr Baljit Shergill & Mrs Jinny Shergill Dr Paul Thandi CBE DL & Mrs Nicki Thandi ENCORE APPEAL PATRONS Dr Kate Bailey Mr Jazz Bhamra Mr & Mrs D & H Bradley Margaret CaselyHayford CBE & Giles Quarme Mr M J Cooke Rebecca Earle Mr & Mrs Faulds Tony & 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 Dr Bob Ruffle Pamela Stanier Mr & Mrs CJL Thorne ENCORE APPEAL BENEFACTORS Hugh & Felicity Furber Derek & Rosemary Holding David & Sally Howells Mr David Kershaw CBE JP Pam O’Brien Capt. Dermot Rhodes Barbara & Christopher Purser Mr & Mrs Turner Roger Wiglesworth

facebook.com/ArmonicoConsort

Registered charity no. 1103159

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 © Peter Marsh, Ashmore Visuals

@ArmonicoConsort @ArmonicoConsort

Armonico Consort values your support and takes great care about your data. We handle all personal data in accordance with the law and you can change the way we contact you at any time. If you are already on our mailing list and would like to amend your contact preferences, or if you would like to join our mailing list, please email marketing@armonico.org.uk - or complete the form on our website, where you can also view our privacy notice: www.armonico.org.uk/get-involved/ preferences