Concerts in April

The thrill of orchestral manoeuvres is definitely in the air this month as Bath is treated to three stirring concerts: a programme from Lucie Jones and the Fulltone Orchestra; a performance of Handel’s Solomon with Bath Recitals; and Jennifer Pike and the Bath Philharmonia playing Sibelius’ Violin Concerto

Something very special is happening at The Bath Forum on 29 April. The incredible actress and vocalist Lucie Jones is performing with south west-based The Fulltone Orchestra and the evening is going to be sensational.

Lucie and conductor/MD Anthony Brown have worked closely together over quite a few months to put together a programme of music that will raise the roof of the Forum. With West End orchestras getting smaller and smaller, the treat of having over 50 musicians as the backdrop to one of the best voices of our age is not one to be missed.

Fulltone has been performing in Bath for a few years, having hung on with great gusto throughout the pandemic. Their most recent appearance was during their sell-out Karl Jenkins tour at the Abbey, so they’re not unknown to local music lovers.

For this event Fulltone brings a really special evening of music with one of the biggest stars of the West End, including numbers such as I Dreamed a Dream (Lucie is currently performing as Fantine in Les Misérables in London) – through to some fun numbers with fellow Waitress the Musical star David Hunter such as Anything You Can Do. Helen Woolf, who played alongside Lucie in Wicked, is also appearing. It’s going to be one of those evenings that will leave you bouncing out of the theatre and most definitely wanting more!

As we approach the crowning of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey, Bath Recitals commemorates the Coronation with a performance in Bath Abbey of Handel’s oratorio Solomon. This is likely to be the first professional performance since the 18th century; it was only performed four times in Handel’s lifetime.

Bath Recitals in various guises has been promoting young professional musicians in the early years of their careers since 1981. Founded by Tom Clarke who had an international career as a Baroque specialist, the charity has given over 600 concerts and has helped innumerable musicians progress in a difficult and challenging profession.

The Artistic Director is now Daniel Robert Cushing who will conduct the Abbey performance. Known for his directing of evocative and articulate performances, his career has developed rapidly and he now works with a wide variety of leading young musicians. He is a passionate advocate for the next generation of musicians which has particular significance at a time when the classical arts need advocacy.

The performance of Solomon marks the beginning of the 2023 season. It is followed on 26 August by a Georgian Gala of music by some of the great composers of the era with Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate, Handel’s aria Eternal Source of Light Divine sung by Eleonore Sian Cockerham of Voces8 and Purcell’s Birthday Ode to Queen Mary Come Ye Sons of Art Away

On 21 October the Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra will be joined by pianist Ignas Maknickas in Mozart’s sparkling Piano Concerto No.9 known as ‘The Young Man.’ Symphonies by Haydn and J.C. Bach will be performed along with an overture by Thomas Arne who is known for writing the music of Rule Britannia

There will also be a Christmas Concert on 20 December. Find out more at bathrecitals.com.

Handel’s Solomon will be performed by Bath Recitals in Bath Abbey on Saturday 22 April at 7.30pm, Tickets £15–£35 from Bath Box Office: bathboxoffice.org.uk.

T: 01225 463362