Musicians
Beth Stone (flute) & Daniel Murphy (guitar, lute, theorbo)
The Flutes & Frets Duo are a unique ensemble passionate about showing the versatility of the flute and plucked instruments combination. Fundamentally, their aim is to play all types of music on the instruments that were in use at the time of composition. They achieve this by exploring a wide scope of repertoire ranging from medieval all the way through to contemporary.
Julian Godlee (bass baritone) & Brenda Blewett (piano)
Julian was a chorister at King’s College Cambridge before deciding that a career in medicine called. Now living in Norfolk he regularly performs with Brenda Blewett and will be singing a selection of English songs by Britten, Vaughan Williams, Michael Head and Gerald Finzi.
Brenda recently retired as joint head of accompaniment at Chetham’s School in Manchester and now concentrates on her career as a concert accompanist.
Irina was born in Upha, Russia. She received her first piano lessons at the age of seven, winning first prize in the Ufa piano competition at the age of 10. At the age of 11 she went to Moscow to study at the Central Music School for Specially Gifted Children, a branch of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where she would later graduate with distinction and receive her doctorate. In 1991 Irina emigrated to Israel and continued her music career, mainly performing solo recitals and chamber music. For the past 14 years Irina has developed an impressive career as a piano teacher in Israel, raising a generation of promising young pianists.
Since moving to the UK, she has participated in master courses and festivals in France, UK, Russia, and Israel, and has given solo and duo recitals with different instrumentalists; she possesses a very broad duo and accompaniment repertoire for violin, viola and cello. At present Irina is actively associated with Royal College of Music in London.
Petrus (piano trio)
Peter Hewitt (piano), Peter Fisher (violin), Peter Adams (cello)
Petrus brings together three exceptional English chamber music players. Invited to return everywhere they play, the three Peters give world-class accounts of the Titans of the piano trio repertoire.
Peter Hewitt (piano)
British pianist, Peter Hewitt, is a masterful musician who has attracted great critical acclaim for his exceptional performances which combine a flawless technique with intense natural musicality and a searching intellect.
Mithras Trio (piano trio)
violin: Ionel Manciu cello: Leo Popplewell piano: Dominic Degavino
Formed in 2017 while students at the Guildhall School of Music, the Mithras Trio are currently members of the prestigious BBC New Generation Artists scheme, broadcasting regularly on BBC Radio 3. They have won numerous awards and are fast growing a reputation as one of the next generation’s most exciting piano trios. They are praised for their ‘exquisite phrasing’, ‘full-blooded commitment’ and ‘bold, passionate colours’.
The Victoria String Quartet
violins: Benedict Holland & David Greed viola: Heather Wallington cello: Jennifer Langridge
The Quartet began life in 2017 in a swimming pool, with a gala concert for the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester’s Hathersage Road. They have moved on from pools to concert platforms at The Lake District, Pinner and Buxton Festivals, Manchester (Bridgewater, RNCM and Stoller halls), London, north Norfolk, north and west Wales and the Scottish Borders. In demand since its formation, the ensemble is gathering return invitations to chamber music societies and festivals and is curating an ongoing programme of creative projects: a collection of short chamber works about (and by) Sir John Manduell (Divine Arts), a recording of the Weber, Cooke and Brahms clarinet quintets, a CD of string chamber music by Richard Pantcheff and an autumn residency at Marchmont House in the Scottish Borders to perform and record a collection of string chamber works by Scottish composer Helen Leach. In 2022 the Quartet gave the first public performances of Elgar’s Six Fragments for String Quartet and look forward to recording them in summer 2023.
Photo by Tim Williams.
Leon Bosch (double bass)
Having worked with the finest conductors for 30 years as a member of groups such as the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Philharmonia and Hallé, he learnt the repertoire and conductor’s craft from inside the orchestra, and finally made the transition to the podium in 2015, when he left Academy of St Martin in the Fields and went to study in St Petersburgwith Alexander Polishchuk. Since then he has conducted orchestras across the UK, Europe,India, South Africa and Mozambique.
During his playing career, he performed concertos around the world and served as a guest with ensembles such as the Lindsays, Brodsky Quartet and Zukerman Chamber Players. He is professor of double bass at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in
London and gives masterclasses in the US, Europe, South Africa and the Far East.
Leo Popplewell (cello)
A dynamic young cellist who plays with “full-blooded commitment” and “delicious dancing grace” (Telegraph), Leo Popplewell studied at Clare College, Cambridge, and later at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
In 2017 he formed the multiple award-winning Mithras Trio. They were selected as Kirckman Concert Society Artists in 2019, and BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists for the 2021-23 seasons. In 2022 he joined the London Mozart Players as co-principal cellist.
His studies have been generously supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Help Musicians UK, and the Craxton Memorial Trust.
The Galaxy Big Band
The Galaxy Big Band was formed in 1999 and is one of the country’s leading big bands playing Swing, Jive and Jazz from the 1940’s and beyond. Enjoy such favourites. “What I love is the whole package – music, song, colour, clothes, content, skill, lighting, sound and the sheer joie de vivre of you all” The band is led by Roger Chinery. A real foot tapping evening in store.
Cuillin Sound
Dana Morgen (Flutes / Piccolo), Maddy Aldis-Evans (Oboe / D’Amore / Cor Anglais), Colin Blamey (Clarinets), Laurence Perkins (Bassoon / Artistic Director)
Formed in 2010 and originally a very popular woodwind trio, Cuillin Sound is now expanding and diversifying with new repertoire and innovative concert presentations. A whole new sound world is explored with the inclusion of alto and G flutes, piccolo, Cor Anglais, Oboe D’Amore, E flat and bass clarinets in addition to the standard quartet. Our core membership consists of four of the UKs most exciting wind musicians, drawing together a collective experience of solo, chamber, orchestral and west-end playing.
The Bingham String Trio
Steve Bingham (violin), Brenda Stewart (viola), James Halsey (cello)
The Bingham String trio has gained an international reputation for its interpretation of the classical repertoire and fresh and exciting approach to new music. It has toured extensively in the United Kingdom and also performed in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Regular appearances in London include concerts at the Purcell Room and St Martin in the Fields
Bertie Anderson (singer / viola player)
The multi-talented performer Bertie Anderson was born in Norfolk but spent most of her life in London and it was Covid-19 that persuaded her and her husband to move the whole family to Norfolk. Bertie is a member of the Bowjanlges group and is a prolific composer too. An Arts Council grant enabled her to write and take on tour a new stage show “Dracula in Space”. Bertie loves busking for its connection with the public, so Covent Garden has now been replaced by Cromer.
Jodie Wiggins (soprano) & Callum Adkins (tenor)
Jodie is a Classical Soprano on the Vocal Studies course at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Being a born and bred Norfolk girl she has performed on several stages across the county, ranging from touring musical theatre productions to Classical recitals, Concert Operas, weddings and many other exciting opportunities! She is the Head Chorister of Broadland Youth Choir, which she has been a part of from the age of 9. She also specialises in guitar and piano and teaches music to children in London to support her student life. She has always loved working and making music with children, so she was delighted to be chosen to direct this project.