Saffron Hall 2015 spring and summer events

Concerts & Events January–July 2015

Saffron Hall Saffron Walden www.saffronhall.com

“ Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra chose Saffron Hall as the venue to launch their own new season. This is how good it is” The Observer

“ Its evidently superb acoustics have already attracted an astonishing parade of top-flight classical musicians” “ An impressive new venue with equally impressive ambitions” BBC Music Magazine

COVER IMAGES: © PRESS ASSOCIATION • © ISTOCK

The Telegraph

Welcome Welcome to our spring presentations at Saffron Hall. Halfway through our second season, and my first as Director, the hall is delivering stunning concerts from world-class artists, and audiences are falling in love with the fabulous acoustic.

Following 5-star reviews for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Conductor Vladimir Jurowski, and capacity houses for Maxim Vengerov, The Sixteen and Abdullah Ibrahim, the spring promises even more delights.

By popular demand we have added a second date with Nicola Benedetti performing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Also look out for Penguin Cafe in concert and a performance from the ground-breaking multi-instrumentalist Courtney Pine. We are especially excited to present our first collaboration with Saffron Screen, which will see Hitchcock’s Blackmail shown in the hall with the score performed live by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Angela Dixon Director, Saffron Hall

Ideally suited to both large-scale and more intimate performances, Saffron Hall will rise to the occasion when the Czech Philharmonic come with conductor Jiří Bělohlávek. If you enjoyed Monteverdi’s Vespers with The Sixteen, I would urge you to experience the fabulous vocal group Arcangelo performing Monteverdi Madrigals. Pianist Paul Lewis, who personally selected Saffron Hall’s Steinway, will come to play it for the first time when he performs Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas. We also continue our series of Sunday morning coffee concerts featuring the next generation of artists.

Saffron Hall is located within Saffron Walden County High School, a school with a thriving performing arts culture, mirrored by the great work of the community groups surrounding it. Making music is a way of life in Saffron Walden, and we are proud that the glittering international artists and ensembles will share the stage with the school and local groups who continue to inspire me with their warmth and enthusiasm.

I do hope you will join us for what promises to be an inspiring spring season.

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Penguin Cafe © EDITIONS PENGUIN CAFE LTD

“ A mood music masterpiece’ Q on Penguin Cafe’s The Red Book

Saturday 17 January 7.30pm

Ian Bostridge in Recital Ian Bostridge tenor Graham Johnson piano

A recital of works by Brahms, including Nine Lieder Op.32 Sommerabend Op.85 No.1 Mondenschein Op.85 No.2 Meerfahrt Op.96 No.4 Alte Liebe Op.72 No.1 Sommerfäden Op.72 No.2 O kühler Wald Op.72 No.3 Verzagen Op 72 No.4

Love, in all its guises, is at the heart of Ian Bostridge’s dramatic recital of Brahms’ songs. The international tenor has already earned a five-star Guardian review for his singing at Saffron Hall, and now brings lieder to the hall for the first time. Included are four Heine settings and the whole Op.32 cycle, a masterpiece of seductive beauty and melody.

Sunday 1 February 3pm

The Mozart Question Michael Morpurgo narrator Simon Reade director Alison Reid actor Daniel Pioro violin The Storyteller’s Ensemble Music by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi and Strauss

Michael Morpurgo (War Horse) presents a special performance of his book The Mozart Question. Together with an actor and musicians, he interweaves words and music in this touching and uplifting tale of survival against the odds. Suitable for ages 8+.

TICKETS: £10–£25

TICKETS: £8–£20 (UNDER 18s HALF PRICE)

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

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www.saffronhall.com | 0845 548 7650

Sunday 8 February 3pm Saturday 7 February 7.30pm

Penguin Cafe

Folk meets minimalism, boogie-woogie melds with world music, all with a classical twist. Arthur Jeffes’ re-formed Penguin Cafe ensemble performs work from their 2014 album The Red Book, alongside seminal Penguin Cafe Orchestra favourites.

Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra Richard Hull conductor Programme to include popular film scores

Thrill to the sounds of Hollywood’s greatest love themes, to the pounding excitement of death-defying chases and to soaring anthems of heroic triumph, all from Tinseltown’s greatest composers.

TICKETS: £10–25

TICKETS: £12/£10 SENIORS, UNDER 16s FREE

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON WALDEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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“ Davies and Dunford seem born to perform these works” Vancouver Sun

Saturday 14 February 7.30pm

Iestyn Davies Thomas Dunford Iestyn Davies countertenor Thomas Dunford lute Johnson Have you seen the bright lily grow?; Care–charming sleep; From the Famous Peak of Derby Dowland Semper Dowland semper dolens (lute solo) Danyel Grief, keep within (parts 1 – 3); Why canst thou not, as others do?; Can doleful notes? (parts 1 – 3); Dowland Mrs Winter’s Jump (lute solo) Campion Never weather-beaten sail Nico Muhly Old Bones Dowland Lachrimae (lute solo); Come again, sweet love doth now invite; In darkness let me dwell; The King of Denmark’s Galliard (lute solo); Can she excuse my wrongs; Flow, my tears, fall from your springs; Now, O Now My Needs Must Part including ‘The Frog Galliard’ (lute solo)

Iestyn Davies, one of the most admired countertenors of our time, steps into the intimacy of Saffron Hall to perform early English songs as fresh and rapturous today as they were 400 years ago. Star French lutenist Thomas Dunford both accompanies and performs several solos.

TICKETS: £10–£25 PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

Iestyn Davies © MARCO BOGGREVE

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www.saffronhall.com | 0845 548 7650

“ Time and again you marvel at the confidence and sureness of Lewis’s playing” Gramophone

Sunday 22 February 11am Paul Lewis © MOLINA VISUALS

Friday 20 February 7.30pm

Paul Lewis in Recital Paul Lewis piano

Beethoven Piano Sonata No.30 in E major Op.109 Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat Op.110 Piano Sonata No.32 in C minor Op.111

Callum Smart in Recital Young Artist Coffee Concert Callum Smart violin Richard Uttley piano Fauré Sonata for violin and piano No.1 in A major Op.13 Franck Sonata for violin and piano in A major

Award-winning keyboard titan Paul Lewis performs Beethoven’s final sonatas, works in which Beethoven’s struggles with lyricism and form produce music of extraordinary urgency and power.

Callum Smart, just 13 when he won the strings category of the BBC Young Musician competition (2010), is a fastrising star. With pianist Richard Uttley – a keyboard comet in his own right – he offers a gorgeous programme of French repertoire.

TICKETS: £10–£25

TICKETS: £12/£6 UNDER 18S

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

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Nicola Benedetti © SIMON FOWLER

Friday 27 February 8pm NEW DATE Saturday 28 February 7.30pm SOLD OUT

Nicola Benedetti The Four Seasons

La Cetra Barockorchester Basel Andrea Marcon conductor Nicola Benedetti violin Geminiani Concerto Grosso in D minor ‘La Follia’ Vivaldi Concerto for strings and continuo in G minor RV.157 Vivaldi Concerto for violin and strings in D major RV.208 ‘Grosso Mogul’ Vivaldi Concerto for four violins in B minor Op.3 No.10 RV.580 Vivaldi The Four Seasons

Superstar Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti is noted for her fiery intensity, melting sound and independence of spirit.

Here she plays Vivaldi’s ever-popular musical depiction of sun, storms and snow, The Four Seasons, and other baroque works.

TICKETS: £12–£30 PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

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“Benedetti’s violin soared with luminous grace” The New York Times

www.saffronhall.com | 0845 548 7650

Saturday 28 March 6pm

Thomas Gould © HARRY RANKIN

Saffron Walden Choral Society

St Matthew Passion Chameleon Arts Orchestra Janet Wheeler conductor Mark Wilde Evangelist Nicholas Merryweather Christ Gillian Keith soprano William Purefoy countertenor Stuart Jackson tenor Victor Sicard bass Bach St Matthew Passion

As Easter approaches, prepare to be uplifted by Bach’s dramatic and powerful retelling of the story of the passion of Christ.

TICKETS: £16–£20, £10 STUDENTS, £2 UNDER 18s PRESENTED BY SAFFRON WALDEN CHORAL SOCIETY

Sunday 22 March 7.30pm

Britten Sinfonia Thomas Gould violin/director Alasdair Beatson piano Locatelli Concerto Grosso in C minor Op.1 No.11 Tom Coult New work (premiere) Hans Abrahamsen Double Concerto Bach arr. Sitkovetsky Goldberg Variations

Saturday 18 April 7.30pm

Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra Richard Hull conductor Alex Redington violin Elgar Violin Concerto Dvořák Symphony No.8

Britten Sinfonia’s Associate Leader, Thomas Gould brings his trademark energy and clarity to Dmitri Sitkovetsky’s beautiful arrangement for strings of Bach’s great keyboard work, The Goldberg Variations.

‘It’s awfully emotional, too emotional, but I love it,’ said Elgar of his rapturous Violin Concerto. It’s paired here with the boisterous exuberance of Dvořák’s penultimate symphony.

TICKETS: £10–£25

TICKETS: £12/£10 SENIORS, UNDER 16s FREE

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON WALDEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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“ Jonathan Cohen’s crack ensemble Arcangelo is making a name for itself” The Observer

Sunday 19 April 7.30pm

Chloe Hanslip

Arcangelo

© BENJAMIN EALOVEGA

Monteverdi Madrigals of Love and Loss Jonathan Cohen conductor Anna Dennis soprano Zoe Brown soprano Tim Mead countertenor Jeremy Budd tenor Benjamin Hulett tenor Callum Thorpe bass Monteverdi Ballo: Volgendo il ciel (Book 8) including Merula ciaccona; Ohimè, dovè il mio ben (Book 7); Lamento della Ninfa (Book 8); Hor che’l ciel e la terra e’l vento tace (Book 8) Dario Castello Sonata X Monteverdi Poppea: (Arnalta) Oblivion soave; Altri canti di marte (Book 8); Sestina Madrigals (Book 6)

Since Jonathan Cohen’s group Arcangelo exploded onto the early-music scene in 2010, they’ve worked with Iestyn Davis, earned a Gramophone Award and recorded with Hyperion and Deutsche Grammophon. For this exquisite programme they’re joined by an internationally acclaimed line-up of young opera stars.

Saturday 25 April 7.30pm

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Jiří Bělohlávek conductor Chloë Hanslip violin Smetana Overture to The Bartered Bride Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending Dvořák Symphony No.7

Expect fireworks from maestro Jiří Bělohlàvek and his outstanding Czech Philharmonic Orchestra as they perform masterpieces from their joint musical heritage. They’re joined by the exciting young British soloist Chloë Hanslip for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.

TICKETS: £10–£25

TICKETS: £16–£40

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

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Colin Currie

www.saffronhall.com | 0845 548 7650

© MARCO BORGGREVE

Saturday 9 May 7.30pm

Britten Sinfonia Barbara Hannigan conductor/soprano Sunday 26 April 7.30pm

Colin Currie Group Steve Reich Music for Pieces of Wood Steve Reich Quartet Steve Reich Music for 18 Musicians

When percussion virtuoso Colin Currie is around, you can expect the unexpected.

The acclaimed artist-in-residence at the Southbank Centre leads his ensemble in works by minimalist composer Steve Reich. Not so much a concert as a live installation, this evening will leave you floating in a world of hypnotic soundscapes.

Mozart Overture to La Clemenza di Tito Stravinsky Souvenirs de mon enfance Stravinsky Pastorale Haydn Symphony No.49 ‘La Passione’ Stravinsky Act 1 Scene 3 from The Rake’s Progress Mozart Overture to Idomeneo Mozart Bella mia fiamma, addio Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite

With her crystalline soprano voice, her inspiring conducting, and her ability to perform major operatic roles en pointe, soprano Barbara Hannigan is a performer like no other. She dazzled audiences at Saffron Hall’s opening concert, and returns here to conduct and sing Mozart and Stravinsky.

TICKETS: £10–£25

TICKETS: £10–£25

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

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Courtney Pine © GARRY WALLIS

“In a class of his own” The Times on Courtney Pine

Sunday 24 May 11am Saturday 16 May 7.30pm

Courtney Pine presents Song (the Ballad Book) Courtney Pine bass clarinet Zoe Rahman piano

Jazz legend Courtney Pine strips everything back to basics in one of the most intimate shows of his career. Playing only bass clarinet, and accompanied

by MOBO award-winning pianist Zoe Rahman, Pine performs works from his forthcoming new album, a collection of favourite ballads.

Lara Melda in Recital

Young Artist Coffee Concert Lara Melda piano Beethoven Sonata No.17 in D minor Op.31 No.2 ‘The Tempest’ Chopin Ballade No.1 in G minor Op.23 Albéniz Iberia (El Puerto, Fête-dieu à Seville and Triana)

At the age of 16, pianist Lara Melda won the 2010 BBC Young Musician competition. Since then her artistry has captivated audiences all over the country, and here she offers vibrant works by Beethoven, Chopin and gypsy-influenced Albéniz.

TICKETS: £10-£25

TICKETS: £12/£6 UNDER 18S

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL

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www.saffronhall.com | 0845 548 7650

Saturday 6 June 7.30pm

Granta Chorale In Memoriam

Janet Wheeler conductor Anne Denholm harp Howells Take Him Earth for Cherishing Josquin La Déploration sur la mort de Jean Ockeghem Brahms Four songs for Womens’ Chorus, Two Horns and Harp Op.17 Wheeler Sleep, O Cluster of Friends (premiere) Susanna Hurrell © ELOISE CAMPBELL

Wednesday 27 May 7.30pm

The English Concert Dido and Aeneas

Composers from all eras pay tribute to inspiring people: Howells to John F Kennedy, Josquin to fellow composer Ockeghem, Brahms to Trenar, killed in battle, and Janet Wheeler’s new work to the Brontë sisters. Other works for harp and voices explore morality and lives well-lived.

Harry Bicket conductor Susanna Hurrell Dido David Stout Aeneas Mary Bevan Belinda Hilary Summers Sorceress Lisa Wilson 2nd Woman Other cast members to be announced Erebus Ensemble

TICKETS: £12/£3 UNDER 18S

Programme to include Purcell Dido and Aeneas (semi staged)

Chameleon Arts Orchestra Janet Wheeler conductor Inga-Britt Andersson soprano Gareth Brynmor John baritone

Experience the luminous intensity of 17th century candlelit theatre – and a superb team of soloists – in John Retallack’s much-lauded Bristol Old Vic production of Purcell’s operatic masterpiece. ‘Beguiling simplicity’ The Times; ‘Wonderful zest and freshness’ The Independent.

TICKETS: £16–£40 A CO-PRODUCTION OF THE ENGLISH CONCERT AND THE BRISTOL OLD VIC, DIRECTED BY JOHN RETALLACK AND TOM MORRIS

PRESENTED BY GRANTA CHORALE

Saturday 20 June 7.30pm

Saffron Walden Choral Society

A Night at the Opera

This glittering gala evening includes well-loved arias and choruses from Carmen, The Magic Flute and Fidelio, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin and Verdi’s Macbeth.

TICKETS: £16–£20, £10 STUDENTS, £2 UNDER 18s PRESENTED BY SAFFRON WALDEN CHORAL SOCIETY

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Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail © HITCHCOCK BLACKMAIL

Saturday 27 June 7.30pm

Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra Richard Hull conductor Jill Morton piano Dvořák Carnival Overture Grieg Piano Concerto Elgar Symphony No.1

Grieg wrote his piano concerto as a calling card for his own dazzling skills. Elgar composed his triumphant first symphony to express ‘a massive hope in the future’. Enjoy two noble masterpieces side by side.

TICKETS: £12/£10 SENIORS, UNDER 16s FREE PRESENTED BY SAFFRON WALDEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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Sunday 12 July 7pm

Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail BBC Symphony Orchestra Tim Brock conductor Hitchcock Blackmail (film screening)

Enjoy the brilliance of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1929 silent movie masterpiece on the big screen in Saffron Hall. Neil Brand’s lavish score, performed live by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, racks up the tension.

Suspense at its best.

TICKETS £10–£25 PRESENTED BY SAFFRON HALL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SAFFRON SCREEN

www.saffronhall.com | 0845 548 7650

Saffron Walden County High School presents Saffron Walden County High School has been at the heart of the community in Saffron Walden since 1950 and is now one of the top performing non-selective state schools in England. Saffron Hall is a magnificent addition to the facilities at the school and one that the students benefit from every day.

Over 2,500 people saw the school’s outstanding production of West Side Story in March 2014 and this year the school launched a Sixth Form Music Academy, providing incredible opportunities for talented musicians to improve their skills through an excellent teaching programme and connections with artists who appear at Saffron Hall.

For more information and on sale dates check www.swchs.net

SWCHS presents Music Tuesday 10 February 7pm

Spring Concert Music ensembles from string quartets to big bands give outstanding student performances.

TICKETS: £6/£4 CONCESSIONS (UNDER 18S AND FULL-TIME STUDENTS)

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March

Saffron Walden Music Festival

The community’s most talented young people compete for the Mullucks Wells Trophy.

FREE ADMISSION

SWCHS presents Theatre © DOMINIC DAVEY

Tuesday 17–Friday 20 March 7.30pm

Oliver

Musical production based on the novel by Charles Dickens with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart.

TICKETS: £8/£4 CONCESSIONS (UNDER 18S AND FULL-TIME STUDENTS)

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About Saffron Hall

Saffron Hall is an award-winning, 730-seat performance space built in the grounds of Saffron Walden County High School. The hall’s much-praised flexible acoustic and state of the art facilities surpass many of the world’s more established venues and since the hall opened in November 2013 its reputation has been growing.

Close to Saffron Walden’s historic town centre, the £10-million venue is the result of a partnership between the School and Yellow Car Charitable Trust and is believed to be the largest gift of its kind to a state school.

Thanks to continuing support from Yellow Car, Saffron Hall will offer audiences across the region an outstanding line-up of world-class artists and ensembles from the vast sound world of the London Philharmonic to intimate recitals from violinist Maxim Vengerov and pianist Paul Lewis. But Saffron Hall’s aims extend well beyond the concert hall, and relationships with artists are already developing with regard to education work with Saffron Walden County High School, local schools and the surrounding area.

The work of local groups is also extremely important at Saffron Hall and this season showcases an extensive programme of community and school events alongside the programme of visiting artists. Saffron Hall aims to be a trailblazing model of state school and community music provision, producing outstanding events with world-class artists, inspiring through music and the arts.

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Saffron Hall gratefully acknowledges generous support from the Yellow Car Charitable Trust.

Founded in 2008, Yellow Car was set up to make grants to specific projects identified by the Trust as offering particular educational and social benefits. Based in Saffron Walden, it has a particular interest in supporting initiatives that benefit the local community. The building of Saffron Hall was conceived and made possible as a result of substantial grants from the Trust.

Visiting us

Saffron Hall is just minutes from the centre of Saffron Walden, a picturesque medieval town in north-west Essex. Saffron Hall is situated in the grounds of Saffron Walden County High School.

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Saffron Hall is a 30-minute drive from Cambridge and Bishop’s Stortford and easily accessible from the M11. Directions are available on our website.

A shuttle runs between Audley End Station and Saffron Hall from 60 minutes before and until 60 minutes after most events. Details are available on our website.

Parking: Ample free parking is available on-site.

Our address is: Saffron Hall Audley End Road Saffron Walden CB11 4UH

Limited local services to Saffron Walden operate between Bishop’s Stortford, Cambridge, Haverhill and Stansted Airport.

Details are available on our website.

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The nearest station is Audley End Station two miles away. Regular services operate between London Liverpool Street, Cambridge, Birmingham and Stansted Airport.

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Saffron Hall and the surrounding school grounds are proudly smoke-free.

www.saffronhall.com

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Booking information

BUYING TICKETS

Online: www.saffronhall.com Secure online ticketing open 24 hours a day.

Choose your exact seating location.

By Phone: 0845 548 7650 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday inclusive (excluding Public Holidays) In person: Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre, 1 Market Place, Saffron Walden Monday–Saturday 9.30am–5pm Public Holidays 10.30am–1pm (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day) On the door: Saffron Hall box office will open for ticket sales and collection an hour before each performance begins.

BOOKING FEES

Saffron Hall does not charge booking or transaction fees. A charge of £1 applies if you would like your tickets posted.

ACCESSIBILITY

Saffron Hall is fully accessible and induction loop systems are in operation Assistant dogs are welcome with additional space available Wheelchair patrons are eligible for a half price ticket. Wheelchair spaces can be booked by phone or in person at the Box Office (subject to availability) Registered disabled patrons are eligible for a half price companion ticket if they require a carer to accompany them (subject to availability) Parking for Blue Badge holders is available on a first come, first served basis Please advise us of your access needs at the time of booking.

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The right is reserved to substitute artists and vary the advertised programme if necessary. All information is correct at time of going to print.

For full conditions of sale please visit our website www.saffronhall.com

January–July 2015 Concert & Events

JANUARY

Saturday 17 7.30pm

Ian Bostridge

FEBRUARY

Sunday 1 3pm

The Mozart Question

Saturday 7 7.30pm

Penguin Cafe

Sunday 8 3pm

Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra

Saturday 14 7.30pm

Iestyn Davies, Thomas Dunford

Friday 20 7.30pm

Paul Lewis

Sunday 22 11am

Callum Smart

Friday 27 8pm

Nicola Benedetti

Saturday 28 7.30pm

Nicola Benedetti

MARCH

Sunday 22 7.30pm

Britten Sinfonia

Saturday 28 6pm

Saffron Walden Choral Society

APRIL

Saturday 18 7.30pm

Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra

Sunday 19 7.30pm Arcangelo

Saturday 25 7.30pm

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Sunday 26 7.30pm

Colin Currie Group

MAY

Saturday 9 7.30pm

Britten Sinfonia

Saturday 16 7.30pm

Courtney Pine

Sunday 24 11am

Lara Melda

Wednesday 27 7.30pm

The English Concert

JUNE

Saturday 6 7.30pm

Granta Chorale

Saturday 20 7.30pm

Saffron Walden Choral Society

Saturday 27 7.30pm

Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra

JULY

Sunday 12 7pm

Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail

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Saffron Hall Audley End Road Saffron Walden CB11 4UH Box office: 0845 548 7650 www.saffronhall.com @saffronhallsw saffronhallsw REGISTERED CHARITY NO.1153685