Welcome

Welcome to our Spring season. The opportunity to be together again as a community, experiencing world-class artists on our doorstep, has had particular significance this autumn and we hope that the spring will afford the same opportunities. In difficult times, communities often turn to the arts for solace and we strive to be an on-going resource for the region in this respect. We hope that there will be something for everyone this spring.

Our programme spans orchestral music, gospel, minimalism, jazz, big band, brass band, choral, early music, new music and spoken word. It represents one of the most varied programmes in the country, but crucially has one element running through it like a stick of rock: quality. Quality is a pre-requisite at Saffron Hall, so you can be certain that whatever you come to see, however unfamiliar, the quality is guaranteed.

In particular, I am looking forward to welcoming back pianist Paul Lewis, for the start of a three-season exploration of Schubert’s sonatas. Paul has established quite a rapport with our audience and our exceptional Steinway piano. Other classical highlights will include the return of one of the world’s finest opera stars, Bryn Terfel, the Aurora Orchestra with their most exciting ‘from memory’ project to date and the return of award-winning Dunedin Consort with the sensational soprano Nardus Williams.

Our Resident Orchestras, Britten Sinfonia and London

Philharmonic have exceptional programmes this spring. Britten Sinfonia join forces with Stephen Layton for Fauré’s beautiful Requiem with a star line-up of soloists.

Hearing vast symphonic works in Saffron Hall is an experience never to be forgotten, and the London Philharmonic performing Mahler’s epic Fifth Symphony under the baton of Music Director Edward Gardner will be one of those occasions.

Our roster of jazz, world and folk artists continues to grow. For the first time, we welcome Syrian clarinettist Kinan Azmeh and folk star Rhiannon Giddens to the Hall. If concert hall events are not your ideal setting, do try one of our cabaret table events in the Hall or one of our popular foyer folk or jazz clubs.

They come with excellent food attached in the form of local food trucks. I would always urge audiences to try something new and if you are open to contemporary sounds in an informal atmosphere, then our new series Saffron Sessions is for you. The music of Philip Glass, Meredith Monk and more await.

Whatever you decide to come to this spring, I would urge you to try something new because there is nothing more satisfying than making a connection with a whole new world of sounds.

I look forward to welcoming you to Saffron Hall soon.

Angela Dixon Chief Executive