EASTER FESTIVAL

2 - 7 April 2023

This year’s Easter Festival is a celebration of paschal music in many different guises. Violinist, Madeleine Mitchell, returns to St John’s Smith Square with a special programme to start the Festival, and sellout choir, Polyphony, return with their annual collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment to perform J.S. Bach’s St John Passion, conducted by Stephen Layton.

Acclaimed British choir, Tenebrae, offer two wonderful events for our audiences. Everyone is invited to Come and Sing with singers from Tenebrae and awardwinning conductor, Nigel Short. Taking place on Sunday 2 April, join us for the opportunity to sing Allegri’s Miserere, Mei Deus in our historic main hall. Tenebrae then returns on Thursday 6 April with a programme of J.S. Bach and James MacMillan.

The Civil Service Choir and the choir of Kings College London also return, and we welcome the London Choral Sinfonia to the Festival for the first time. Join us for hot cross buns in The Footstool Cafe and uplifting music to take you into the Easter weekend.

Sun

Madeleine Mitchell

Kiss on Wood

Madeleine Mitchell violin Nigel Clayton piano

Schubert Ave Maria (arr Palaschko) James MacMillan Kiss on Wood Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending

Brahms Violin Sonata No.2 in A, Op.100 Rachmaninov Vocalise

“The magnificent Mitchell” (BBC Music Magazine) plays the sublime Easter work MacMillan wrote for her and perennial favourites.

Book for both Madeleine Mitchell and Tenebrae’s Come and Sing for £30

Tenebrae Workshop

Come and Sing

Members of Tenebrae Nigel Short director

Join Tenebrae’s Artistic Director, Nigel Short, for an informative afternoon, including the opportunity to perform Allegri’s iconic Miserere with members of Tenebrae.

Book for both Madeleine Mitchell and Tenebrae’s Come and Sing for £30

The Civil Service Choir

The Civil Service Choir and Orchestra

Stephen Hall conductor

Dvořák Mass in D major, Op.86

Music to include works by Allegri, J.S. Bach, Stainer, and MacMillan. Tue

The outstanding Civil Service Choir returns with Dvořák’s Mass in D major, Op. 86

Evening Worship With The Purcell Singers

The Purcell Singers

Mark Ford conductor

Join one of London’s leading chamber choirs, The Purcell Singers, for Evensong.

CHOIR OF KING’S COLLEGE LONDON

Choir of King’s College London Hanover Band

Joseph Fort conductor

J.S. Bach St Matthew Passion BWV 244

The Choir of King’s College London and the Hanover Band perform J.S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion, alongside a stellar cast of young soloists.

Tenebrae

I Saw Eternity

Tenebrae

Nigel Short director

J.S. Bach Komm, Jesu komm; Jesu, meine Freude; Singet dem Herrn

Thu 6 April 7.30pm | £35, £28, £18, YF

James MacMillan Tenebrae factae sunt; Miserere; Tradiderunt me; Jesum tradidit; I Saw Eternity

Tenebrae brings its trademark sound to a dramatic programme of music by J. S. Bach and James MacMillan.

10% discount on tickets for those who book Tenebrae’s Come and Sing

POLYPHONY & THE ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Polyphony Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Stephen Layton conductor

Fri 7 April 2.30pm | £65, £48, £28

J.S. Bach St John Passion

Experience J.S. Bach’s sublime music, performed by top soloists, choir, and orchestra.

London Choral Sinfonia

The Choir of London Choral Sinfonia Brian O’Kane cello James Orford organ

Michael Waldron conductor

Tavener Mother and Child Francis Grier Sword in the Soul

Fri 7 April 8.00pm | £30, £20, £10, YF

Join the LCS for an evening of powerful yet contemplative music for Good Friday featuring Francis Grier’s Sword in the Soul performed by the Choir of the LCS, organist James Orford, and cello soloist Brian O’Kane.

Francesca Massey

thursday lunchtime concert

Francesca Massey organ

Programme to include works by Anton Heiller, J.S. Bach, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Ad Wammes, and Kenneth Leighton.

Thu 13 April 1.05pm | £10, YF

Ben Tarlton And Robin Green

thursday lunchtime concert

Ben Tarlton cello Robin Green piano

Programme to include works by Beethoven, Janáček, Messiaen, and Bartók.

Thu 20 April 1.05pm | £10, YF

Award - winning musicians, Ben Tarlton and Robin Green, present works by Beethoven, Janáček, Messiaen, and Bartók

Alistair Wroe And Raffaello Moretti

Alistair Wroe dance Raffaello Moretti piano

J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations BWV988

Fri 21 April 7.30pm | £25, YF

Teatime Treats

Southbank Sinfonia

Join the musicians of Southbank Sinfonia for an afternoon of teatime delights. With music to suit all tastes, you’ll be tapping your toes in no time.

Alistair Wroe presents an evening of music and dance with pianist, Raffaello Moretti, with J.S. Bach‘s Goldberg Variations. It will be a thrilling and moving night of performance.

Sun

As well as a variety of music, there will be the chance for a singalong, and of course the all-important tea and biscuits.

Tickets are £5 and include the concert, a hot drink and a slice of cake.

Music And Flow

Vinyasa Yoga at Smith Square

Taylor yoga instructor

Featuring live harp music, relax and unwind in our morning vinyasa sessions. With all levels welcome, St John’s is the perfect place to energise you and focus your breath, body, and mind.

Wed 26 April 8.30am | £12, YF £5

Adam Heron

thursday lunchtime concert

Adam Heron piano

Programme to include works by J.S. Bach, Chopin, Sancho, and Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

Thu 27 April 1.05pm | £10, YF

Southbank Sinfonia

Vibrance

Southbank Sinfonia David Corkhill conductor

Sibelius Finlandia Sally Beamish Reckless

Thu 27 April 7.00pm | £35, £25, £15, YF

Jazz In The Crypt

late night event

Join us for an evening of jazz favourites. With drinks served throughout the evening, it’s a late-night event not to be missed.

Thu

Berkeley Ensemble

Berkeley Ensemble

Mozart Kegelstatt Trio K.498

Lynne Plowman Carbon Sky (London Premiere)

Howard Ferguson Octet, Op.4

Endelienta Baroque

thursday lunchtime concert

Endelienta Baroque

Blow Suite from ‘Venus and Adonis’

Purcell Incidental music from ‘Abdelazer’

Locke Music from ‘The Tempest’

Former BBC Young Musician keyboard finalist Adam Heron makes his much-anticipated Lunchtime Concert Series debut.

Delve into joyous melodies, string flourishes, and sonic colours.

Founded in 2008 by Southbank Sinfonia alumni, the Berkeley Ensemble performs chamber works here, at St John’s Smith Square.

Music for stage and court by Purcell, Locke, and Blow, the foremost composers of the English Restoration.

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA & BERKELEY ENSEMBLE

Southbank Sinfonia Berkeley Ensemble

Britten Sinfonietta, Op.1 (for string orchestra)

Copland Appalachian Spring (suite for

Thu 4 May 7.00pm | £35, £25, £15, YF

Sung Service

Rev Graham Buckle celebant Floreat

Gilly French director Matthew Blaiden organ

Fri 5 May 1.00pm | Free Admission thirteen instruments)

Southbank Sinfonia perform emotive and picturesque works side-by-side with acclaimed chamber group, the Berkeley Ensemble.

Musique Sur La Mer Orchestra

Musique Sur La Mer Orchestra Charity Concert

Programme to include works by Elgar, Rutter, Barber, Handel, and the world premiere of a work by Paul Gibson.

Fri 5 May 7.30pm | (see website for more information)

Howard Blake

85th Celebrations - Howard Blake

Howard Blake piano

Julian Trevelyan piano

Lana Trotovsek violin

Rosalind Ventris viola

Wed 10 May 7.30pm | £35, £25, £15

Southbank Sinfonia

thursday lunchtime concert Southbank Sinfonia

Musique Sur La Mer Orchestras USA has been inspiring excellence, leadership, and community service since 2000.

Benedict Kloeckner cello Andrew Marriner clarinet

Howard Blake celebrates his 85th Birthday with a programme of original instrumental works.

Enjoy a wonderful programme of chamber music performed by musicians from the 22/23 Southbank Sinfonia Fellowship.

Thu 11 May 1.05pm | £10, YF

The London Festival of Baroque Music 2023: Kaleidoscope is an exploration of the many shapes and sizes that Baroque music was written for. We are delighted to welcome groups from Spain and France to the stage of St John’s Smith Square to play music by composers such as Cristóbal de Morales, Juan Hidalgo, and José Castel. Baroque favourites, Lully, Handel, and Telemann, will also be performed across the week.

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) returns to St John’ Smith Square, first to work with Southbank Sinfonia in side-by-side workshops which will culminate in a cabaret performance on Thursday 18 May, and then to perform their own baroque chamber programme on Friday 19 May. Principal keyboard of the OAE, Steven Devine, will be hosting a Meet the Harpsichord Day on Saturday 20 May, with an array of events for all age groups.

Come and explore with us – many excellent dance tunes await in this year’s Festival and we can’t wait to share them with you!

La Grand Chapelle

Music for the Planet King

Programme to include works by Juan Hidalgo, Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz, Manuel Machado, and Gaspar Sanz.

Fri 12 May 7.00pm | £25, £15, YF

CONCERTO 1700

Sapere Aude

Daniel Pinteño violin

Fumiko Morie violin

Ester Domingo cello

Sat 13 May 6.30pm | £20, £15, YF

L’APOTHEOSE

Madrid 1700s

La Grande Chapelle is an early music vocal and instrumental ensemble whose main objective is to make a new interpretation of the great Spanish vocal works of the 16th to 18th centuries.

This programme is funded by The European Union – NextGenerationEU

Programme to include works by Castel, Boccherini, and Brunetti.

Enjoy a programme of Spanish music composed both for the court and a civil society eager for science and culture.

This programme is funded by The European Union – NextGenerationEU

Programme to include works by Corselli, José de San Juan, Juan Francés de Iribarren, Jaime Facco, José de Nebra, and Vicente Basset.

Sat 13 May 8.45pm | £18, £15, YF

This concert offers a sample of the sacred and profane music that sounded in the Madrid court between 1720 and 1750. The composers of this program worked for the Royal Chapel.

This programme is funded by The European Union – NextGenerationEU

JOS É MIGUEL MORENO

The Spanish Guitar: 1500 - 1700

José Miguel Moreno viheula & baroque guitar

Programme to include works by

Sun 14 May 3.00pm | £10, YF

Claudin de Sermisy, Diego Ortiz, Gaspar Sanz, and more.

José Miguel Moreno is unanimously recognised as one of today’s leading specialists of historical performance.

This programme is funded by The European Union – NextGenerationEU

RAQUEL ANDUEZA & LA GALANIA

Pierre Pitzl baroque guitar Jesús Fernández Baena tiorba

Pablo Prieto violin

Raquel Andueza soprano

Programme to include works by Lully,

Sun 14 May 7.00pm | £18, £15

Enrico Radesca, and more.

Hear a programme of not only secular Spanish music, but also songs with Spanish text, found in European collections.

This programme is funded by The European Union – NextGenerationEU

LE CONCERT DE L’HOSTEL DIEU

50/50

Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu Axelle Verner mezzo soprano Franck-Emmanuel Comte organ, music director

Mon 15 May 7.00pm | £25, £15

John Scott Whiteley

Thursday lunchtime concert

John Scott Whiteley organ

Programme to include works by J.S. Bach, Johann Rudolf Ahle, Buxtehude, and Walther.

Thu 18 May 1.05pm | £10, YF

Gaultier Durhin visual conception and scenography

Programme to include works by Purcell, David Chalmin, Martyn Harry, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and Marc-Antoine Charpentier.

Dr John Scott Whiteley plays music by J.S. Bach and his associates.

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA & ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT BAROQUE CABARET

Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Hear Southbank Sinfonia chamber

Thu 18 May 7.00pm | £28, £15 groups, coached by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, in an evening of captivating baroque cabaret. With cheese and wine served at your table, it’s the perfect night out, cheers!

Sat 20 May 10.00am | £10

Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Programme to include works by J.S. Bach, Telemann, and Handel.

Fri 19 May 7.00pm | £35, £25, £18

Immerse yourself in the shapes, colours, and timbres of favourite Baroque composers played by one of the top period instrument orchestras in the world.

Sat 20 May 3.00pm | £10

Harpsichord Masterclass

meet the harpsichord day, with steven devine

English conductor and historical keyboard specialist, Steven Devine, leads an open harpsichord masterclass with students from the UK’s leading conservatoires.

STEVEN DEVINE - LUNCHTIME CONCERT meet the harpsichord day, with steven devine

J.S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in C Major Louis Andriessen Overture to Orpheus

Sat 20 May 1.05pm | £10, YF

J.S. Bach Preludes and Fugues in G Major, G minor, A flat Major, G sharp Minor

Elizabeth Turner Lesson 1

J.S. Bach Preludes and Fugues in B Major, B Minor

COME AND PLAY THE HARPSICHORD meet the harpsichord day, with steven devine

With a range of historical keyboards to try, this session is the perfect chance to expand your musical knowledge.

Ever wondered what it’s like to play the harpsichord? Come and try it for yourself! LFBM

BOOKING DATES

Patrons - 6 February friends - 10 February general public - 13 February

Sun 21 May 4.30pm

Salomon Orchestra

Salomon Orchestra May 2023

Salomon Orchestra Edmon Colomer conductor

Programme to include works by Ritmos, de Falla, and Robert Gerhard.

Southbank Sinfonia

Southbank Sinfonia and Tollgate Primary School Side-by-Side

Salomon Orchestra’s 60th anniversary season continues with a concert of music by Spanish composers.

Fri

Sat

Sinfonia Tollgate Primary School

Southbank

Southbank Sinfonia

family concert

Bring the whole family along on a magical musical adventure!

Featuring a full orchestra, enjoy live classical music that will inspire and

Southbank Sinfonia is joined by the next generation of talented musicians in a side-by-side with Tollgate Primary School.

Music And Flow

Vinyasa Yoga at Smith Square

Charlotte Taylor yoga instructor fuel the imagination. After each concert, you’ll also get the opportunity to meet our friendly musicians and their instruments.

Featuring live harp music, relax and unwind in our morning vinyasa sessions. With all levels welcome, St John’s is the perfect place to energise you and focus your breath, body, and mind.

Rosa Hartley

thursday lunchtime concert

Rosa Hartley violin Mihaly Berecz piano

Arvo Pärt Fratres

Clara Schumann Three Romances Bartók Violin Sonata No.2

Rosa Hartley and Mihaly Berecz perform a rich and colourful programme of music spanning 150 years, from Estonia, Germany and Hungary. Thu

The Hanover Band

Mozart Requiem

The Hanover Band

David Gibson conductor Southampton Philharmonic Choir

Mozart Symphony No.41, K.551 • Requiem K.626

David Gibson conducts two of Mozart’s iconic works - The Requiem and Jupiter Symphony.

Sun 4 June 7.30pm | £45, £35

Rustam Khanmurzin

thursday lunchtime concert

Rustam Khanmurzin piano

Wagner/ Liszt Liebestod

Beethoven Piano Sonata in E major, Op.109 Scriabin Fantasy in B minor, Op.28

Thu 8 June 1.05pm | £10, YF

Teatime Treats

Southbank Sinfonia

Join the musicians of Southbank Sinfonia for an afternoon of teatime delights. With music to suit all tastes, you’ll be tapping your toes in no time.

A programme of carefully selected piano masterpieces exploring the most exciting feelings: from innocent and flirtatious to cosmic and sacrificial.

Sun 11 June 3.00pm | £5

Southbank Sinfonia

thursday lunchtime concert Southbank Sinfonia

As well as a variety of music, there will be the chance for a singalong, and of course the all-important tea and biscuits.

Tickets are £5 and include the concert, a hot drink and a slice of cake.

Enjoy a wonderful programme of chamber music performed by musicians from the 22/23 Southbank Sinfonia Fellowship.

Thu 15 June 1.05pm | £10, YF

Southbank Sinfonia

Southbank Sinfonia performs with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Southbank Sinfonia

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Thu 15 June 7.00pm | £35, £25, £15, YF

Mozart Symphony No.29, K.201 Haydn Symphony No.104, ‘London’

Expect elegance, grace, and charm from these works by two of the greatest composers.

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA family event

A Musical Zoo Family Workshop

Join the musicians of Southbank Sinfonia and visit the musical zoo!

Sat 17 June 11.00am | Adult £5, Children £5

You’ll have the chance to meet lots of different families of instruments and have a go at playing some of them too.

This workshop is suitable for children aged 5–11 years.

Fulham Symphony Orchestra

family concert

Fulham Symphony Orchestra

Marc Dooley conductor

Fenella Humphreys soloist

Doreen Carwithen The Men of Sherwood Forest Overture

Sat 17 June 6.30pm | £14 (concessions £12, under-16s £9)

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA thursday lunchtime concert Southbank Sinfonia

Anna Clyne The Seamstress

Eleanor Alberga Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

An early-evening, family-friendly concert featuring music inspired by folklore, fairy tale and poetry.

Enjoy a wonderful programme of chamber music performed by musicians from the 22/23 Southbank Sinfonia Fellowship.

Thu 22 June 1.05pm | £10, YF

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA

Expressions

Southbank Sinfonia

Chloé van Soeterstède conductor

Kristine Balanas violin

Thu 22 June 7.00pm | £35, £25, £15, YF

Jazz In The Crypt

late night event

Join us for an evening of jazz favourites. With drinks served throughout the evening, it’s a late-night event not to be missed.

Thu 22 June 9.30pm | £15

Sat 24 June 7.30pm

Croydon Symphony Orchestra

100th Anniversary Concert

Croydon Symphony Orchestra

Darrell Davison conductor

Alan Brown piano

David Leonard narrator

Programme to include works by Walton, Elgar, Delius, John Rand, and Coleridge-Taylor.

Elgar’s Enigma Variations in music and his own words - narrated by West End star, David Leonard.

Royal Orchestral Society

150 Years: Grand Gala Finale

Royal Orchestral Society

Tim Redmond conductor

Janice Watson soprano

Sun 25 June

Tue

Programme to include works by Mendelssohn, Judith Weir, Wagner, Dvořák, and Elgar.

In 2022-23 the Royal Orchestral Society celebrates its 150th Anniversary Season.

Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony

Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony Charity Concert

Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony

Concert in aid of Youth Music.

Music And Flow

Vinyasa Yoga at Smith Square

Charlotte Taylor yoga instructor

Programme to include works by Sousa, Bruckner, Percy Grainger, and more.

The Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony is the premier youth wind ensemble in Northeast Ohio USA.

Featuring live harp music, relax and unwind in our morning vinyasa sessions. With all levels welcome, St John’s is the perfect place to energise you and focus your breath, body, and mind.

Jeremiah Stephenson

thursday lunchtime concert

Jeremiah Stephenson organ

Programme to include works by J.S. Bach, Franck, and Rachel Laurin.

Thu

London City Orchestra

10th Anniversary Concert

City Orchestra

Lewisham Choral Society