ENGLISH HAYDN FESTIVAL |
Bridgnorth, Shropshire, UK |
Advanced Notice: 2024 Festival Week. 12th to 15th June.
St Mary Magdalene Church, with its wonderful acoustics, is set in the beautiful hill-top market town of Bridgnorth overlooking the River Severn and provides a magnificent setting for the Festival. It was designed by Thomas Telford and built in 1792 at a time when Haydn was spending his celebrated years in London.
The eighteenth century was a time of many great inventions in the fields of exploration, construction, art, science and music, with innovations of that period still influencing our daily lives and enabling us to experience great works of art and music.
The English Haydn Festival seeks to provide an insight into the "Classical" era of music, acknowledged to be from 1745 to 1835, by staging orchestral, quartet and instrumental group performances of compositions by Joseph Haydn together with those of his friends and pupils such as Mozart and Beethoven. This was an innovative period of time which ranged from the mid eighteenth century works by C.P.E. Bach, to the nineteenth century compositions of Felix Mendelssohn.
STEVEN DEVINE & THE ENGLISH HAYDN ORCHESTRA
STEVEN DEVINE made his London conducting debut in 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall and is now a regular performer there – including making his Proms directing debut in August 2007 with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. He has conducted the Mozart Festival Orchestra in every major concert hall in the UK and also across Switzerland. Steven is Music Director for New Chamber Opera in Oxford and with them has performed repertoire from Cavalli to Rossini. For the Dartington Festival Opera he has conducted Handel’s Orlando and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. He is currently conductor and Artistic Advisor for the English Haydn Festival. Steven works regularly with the Norwegian Wind Ensemble, Trondheim Barokk, the Victoria Baroque Players (BC, Canada) and Arion Baroque Ensemble (Montreal).
|
ENGLISH HAYDN FESTIVAL 2023
CONCERTS
THE CONSONE QUARTET

TUESDAY 6th JUNE 2023
St Mary's Church, East Castle St, Bridgnorth. 12.30pm
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
THE CONSONE QUARTET
Agata Daraskaite - violin
Magdalena Loth-Hill - violin
Elitsa Bogdanova - viola
George Ross - violoncello
Schumann Quartet Opus 41 No. 3 in A (1842)
Haydn Quartet Opus 64 No. 6 in Eb (1790)
St Mary's Church, East Castle St, Bridgnorth. 12.30pm
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
THE CONSONE QUARTET
Agata Daraskaite - violin
Magdalena Loth-Hill - violin
Elitsa Bogdanova - viola
George Ross - violoncello
Schumann Quartet Opus 41 No. 3 in A (1842)
Haydn Quartet Opus 64 No. 6 in Eb (1790)

AGATA DARASKAITE Lithuanian-Polish violinist Agata started playing the violin at the age of six and made her solo debut four years later. A prize winner of ten national and international competitions Agata moved to England to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School in 2003. Since then she has been performing solo and chamber music across the UK and Europe. In 2009 she performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the LPO's "Between two worlds: Alfred Schnittke" Festival with Valdimir Jurowski conducting. In 2012 as a RCM Concerto Competition winner, Agata performed Berg's violin concerto with the RCM Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Edward Gardner.

MAGDALENA LOTH HILL studied at the Royal College of Music with Itzhak and Laura Samuel and later took up baroque violin with Adrian Butterfield and Lucy Russell. She graduated in 2013 with first-class honours and in 2015 gained a Master's degree with Distinction. Magdalena has toured Europe, the United States and Bolivia where her two solo recitals, as 'Artist of the Festival', officially opened the 2016 Misiones de Chiquitos Festival. She has performed at all the well known London Music Halls, and Buckingham Palace.
MAGDALENA LOTH HILL studied at the Royal College of Music with Itzhak and Laura Samuel and later took up baroque violin with Adrian Butterfield and Lucy Russell. She graduated in 2013 with first-class honours and in 2015 gained a Master's degree with Distinction. Magdalena has toured Europe, the United States and Bolivia where her two solo recitals, as 'Artist of the Festival', officially opened the 2016 Misiones de Chiquitos Festival. She has performed at all the well known London Music Halls, and Buckingham Palace.

ELITSA BOGDANOVA moved to London from Bulgaria in 2007 to complete her degree at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, studying with Alexander Zemstov and Rachel Roberts, and at the same time developed an interest in historical performances with Jane Rogers and Pavlo Beznosiuk. Elitsa has performed on period instruments with ensembles such as the Academy of Ancient Music, and as principal violinist of La Serenissima, specialists in Venetian music. In 2013 Elitsa co-created the Bulgarian interdisciplinary Festival '180 Deg', which features a variety of chamber music and other art forms.
ELITSA BOGDANOVA moved to London from Bulgaria in 2007 to complete her degree at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, studying with Alexander Zemstov and Rachel Roberts, and at the same time developed an interest in historical performances with Jane Rogers and Pavlo Beznosiuk. Elitsa has performed on period instruments with ensembles such as the Academy of Ancient Music, and as principal violinist of La Serenissima, specialists in Venetian music. In 2013 Elitsa co-created the Bulgarian interdisciplinary Festival '180 Deg', which features a variety of chamber music and other art forms.

GEORGE ROSS is a British cellist, specialising in period instrument performances, having completed his Master's studies at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague where he received lessons from Jaap ter Linden. Having attained a first-class honours for his Bachelor of Music degree at the Royal College of Music, George has worked with groups such as The King's Consort, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Arcangelo, the Hanover Band. George has performed as a solo artist at Wigmore Hall.
GEORGE ROSS is a British cellist, specialising in period instrument performances, having completed his Master's studies at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague where he received lessons from Jaap ter Linden. Having attained a first-class honours for his Bachelor of Music degree at the Royal College of Music, George has worked with groups such as The King's Consort, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Arcangelo, the Hanover Band. George has performed as a solo artist at Wigmore Hall.
OPERA ARIAS AT ACTON ROUND
TUESDAY 6th JUNE 2023 Acton Round Church, Acton Round, Shropshire. 7 pm EVENING CONCERT Acton House Gardens open at 6 pm. OPERA ARIAS Soloists: Miranda Westcott - mezzo soprano Andrew Slater - bass baritone Timothy Langston - counter tenor Accompanied by: John Moore - fortepiano A selection of arias from Haydn and Mozart operas, including "Armida", "Il Mondo Della Luna", "Figaro", Don Giovanni". |
|
THE ENGLISH HAYDN PIANO TRIO
GRAND OPENING SYMPHONY CONCERT
WEDNESDAY 7th JUNE 2023
St Mary's Church, East Castle St, Bridgnorth. 7.30pm
EVENING CONCERT
THE ENGLISH HAYDN ORCHESTRA on period instruments
Conductor STEVEN DEVINE
Soloists: Eva Caballero - flute
George Ross - violoncello
Haydn Symphony No. 1 in D Hob. 1/1 (1759)
Michael Haydn Flute Concerto in D MH81 Perger 56 (1771)
Krommer Symphony No. 1 in F (1798)
Interval 30 minutes
Schumann Cello Concerto in A minor Opus 129 (1850)
Haydn Symphony No. 37 in C Hob. 1/37 (1758)
St Mary's Church, East Castle St, Bridgnorth. 7.30pm
EVENING CONCERT
THE ENGLISH HAYDN ORCHESTRA on period instruments
Conductor STEVEN DEVINE
Soloists: Eva Caballero - flute
George Ross - violoncello
Haydn Symphony No. 1 in D Hob. 1/1 (1759)
Michael Haydn Flute Concerto in D MH81 Perger 56 (1771)
Krommer Symphony No. 1 in F (1798)
Interval 30 minutes
Schumann Cello Concerto in A minor Opus 129 (1850)
Haydn Symphony No. 37 in C Hob. 1/37 (1758)

EVA CABALLERO, originally from Barcelona, Eva was awarded a scholarship to study at Trinity College of Music, London, with Daniel Pailthorpe. Towards the end of her BMus (Hons) degree, she discovered the baroque flute with Stephen Preston and continued her studies on historical flutes with Lisa Beznosiuk at the Royal Academy of Music. Eva took part in the Ann and Peter Law OAE Experience in 2009. After that she completed the ‘Formation Supérieure’ with ‘Jeune Orchestra Atlantique,’ in France, (an orchestral and chamber music training on classical and romantic repertoire on period instruments). Her work involves performing in London-based ensembles and a variety of orchestras, including Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, English Baroque Soloists, The Sixteen, and Gabrieli Consort & Players. Eva has also given recitals at the Handel House Museum, Raynham Hall, the Wallace Collection and St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

GEORGE ROSS specialises in period instrument performance, having attained a first class honours for his Bachelor of Music degree at the Royal College of Music in London. George has worked with such groups as The King’s Consort, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Arcangelo, the Hanover Band, Florilegium, the Lawes Baroque Players and the Carillon Choir. George cultivated a passion for the baroque cello, which he studied with Richard Tunnicliffe.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WIND MACHINE
THURSDAY 8th JUNE 2023
St Mary's Church, East Castle St, Bridgnorth. 12.30pm
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
THE REVOLUTIONARY WIND MACHINE on period instruments
Mark Baigent - oboe
Cait Walker - oboe
Robert Ashworth - horn
Clare Penkey - horn
Robert Percival - bassoon
Catriona McDermid - bassoon
Haydn Divertimento in D (1788)
Carlo Besozzi Sonata No. 10 (1770)
Haydn Divertimento Hob 11: 15 in F (1766)
Mozart Divertimento No. 8 in F K213 (1775)
St Mary's Church, East Castle St, Bridgnorth. 12.30pm
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
THE REVOLUTIONARY WIND MACHINE on period instruments
Mark Baigent - oboe
Cait Walker - oboe
Robert Ashworth - horn
Clare Penkey - horn
Robert Percival - bassoon
Catriona McDermid - bassoon
Haydn Divertimento in D (1788)
Carlo Besozzi Sonata No. 10 (1770)
Haydn Divertimento Hob 11: 15 in F (1766)
Mozart Divertimento No. 8 in F K213 (1775)

MARK BAIGENT tours extensively throughout Europe, America and the Far East, performing for festivals, music societies and radio with ensembles including the Sixteen, English Baroque Soloists, The Academy of Ancient Music, and his two chamber groups, the Denner Ensemble and Pipers 3 oboe trio.

CAIT WALKER, a founder member of Northern Baroque, specialises in period performance on the oboe. She has played with the country’s leading ensembles including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the 18th Century Concert Orchestra, Kings Consort, Florilegium, Gabrielli Consort, and the Academy of Ancient Music.

ROBERT ASHWORTH was Principal Horn with the Orchestra of Opera North. He made several appearances as soloist and chamber music player. He is an active member of both the British Horn Society and the International Horn Society, performing at many of the former's local and national seminars and writing for their respective journals, Having taught at the Royal Northern College of Music and a number of universities for several years he now limits his horn teaching more towards private tuition

CLARE PENKEY studied at the Royal Northern College of Music where she was introduced to the world of baroque and classical horns. She works with a variety of groups including The Academy of Ancient Music, London Handel Orchestra, The OAE, Gabrieli Ensemble, Hanover Band. Clare also teaches brass and piano.
CLARE PENKEY studied at the Royal Northern College of Music where she was introduced to the world of baroque and classical horns. She works with a variety of groups including The Academy of Ancient Music, London Handel Orchestra, The OAE, Gabrieli Ensemble, Hanover Band. Clare also teaches brass and piano.

ROBERT PERCIVAL performs extensively on historical bassoons and contrabassoons with many of the leading early instrument groups across Europe, including the OAE, the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, and Ensemble Pygmalion, and co-directs Boxwood & Brass, a Harmonie specialising in wind music of the 18th and 19th century. He is also a leading specialist in historical practices in editing, arranging and orchestration, in particular for wind instruments, which formed the focus of his doctoral research.

CATRIONA McDERMID leads a varied career as a modern and period instrument bassoonist, keen educator and arranger. She received first-class honours for both her undergraduate degree at Oxford and Masters degree at Royal College of Music, where she studied with Joost Bosdijk, Julie Price, Andrea de Flamineis and Wouter Werschuren. Catriona is in demand as an orchestral bassoonist, performing with leading period instrument ensembles such as Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Academy of Ancient Music.
CATRIONA McDERMID leads a varied career as a modern and period instrument bassoonist, keen educator and arranger. She received first-class honours for both her undergraduate degree at Oxford and Masters degree at Royal College of Music, where she studied with Joost Bosdijk, Julie Price, Andrea de Flamineis and Wouter Werschuren. Catriona is in demand as an orchestral bassoonist, performing with leading period instrument ensembles such as Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Academy of Ancient Music.
THE VALENCIA BARYTON PROJECT
THURSDAY 8th JUNE 2023
St Mary's Church, East Castle St, Bridgnorth. 7.30pm EVENING CONCERT THE VALENCIA BARYTON TRIO Matthew Baker - baryton Paul Cortese - viola Benjamin Birtle - violoncello Haydn Baryton Trio No. 67 in G (1765/75) John Pickup Prelude 1 ( 2021) Haydn Baryton Trio No. 35 in A (1765/75) Haydn Baryton Trio No. 58 in D (1765/75) Interval 30 minutes Steve Zink The River (2020) Haydn Baryton Trio No. 6 in A (1765/75) Haydn Baryton Trio No. 69 in D (1765/75) |
ORCHESTRAL CONCERT
FRIDAY 9th JUNE 2023 St Mary's Church, East Castle St., Bridgnorth. 7.30pm EVENING CONCERT THE ENGLISH HAYDN ORCHESTRA on period instruments Conductor STEVEN DEVINE Soloists Steven Devine - fortepiano Simon Standage - violin Mark Baigent - oboe Robert Percival - bassoon Gareth Deats - violoncello Haydn Symphony No. 15 in D Hob. 1/15 (1761) Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A K488 (1786) Interval 30 minutes Haydn Concertante in Bb Hob. 1/105 (1792) Haydn Symphony No. 85 in Eb (La Reine) (1786) |

STEVEN DEVINE As well as annually conducting the English Haydn Orchestra for the past few years, since 2007 Steven has been the harpsichordist with London Baroque in addition to his position as Co-Principal player with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. He is also the principal keyboard player for the Gonzaga Band, Apollo and Pan, the Classical Opera Company, and performs regularly with other groups around Europe. His recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations (Chandos) has been critically acclaimed including Gramophone Magazine describing it as "amongst the best". Moreover, Volumes 1 & 2 of the complete harpsichord works of Rameau (Resonus) have both received five-star reviews from BBC Magazine, and his recording of Bach's "Italian" concerto has been voted Classic FM's connoisseur's choice.

SIMON STANDAGE is well known as a violinist specialising in 17th and 18th-century music. As well as the many recordings he made with The English Concert (including Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, nominated for a Grammy award) his extensive discography includes the Academy of Ancient Music, Collegium Musicum 90, of which he is director, and the Salomon String Quartet, which he founded in 1981. In 2010 he received the Georg Philipp Telemann Prize from the city of Magdeburg.
FLORILEGIUM
SATURDAY 10th JUNE 2023 St Mary's Church, East Castle St., Bridgnorth. 12.30pm LUNCHTIME CONCERT FLORILEGIUM Ashley Solomon - flute Caroline Balding - violin Ada Witczyk - violin Dorothea Vogel - viola Imogen Seth Smith - cello Haydn Johann Peter Salomon arrangement: Symphony No.101 (The Clock) (1795) Stamitz String Quintet Opus 8 No. 1 in D (1773) Haydn Johann Peter Salomon arrangement: Symphony No.94 (The Surprise) (1794) |
GRAND FINALE SYMPHONY CONCERT
SATURDAY 10th JUNE 2023
St Mary's Church, East Castle St., Bridgnorth. 7.30pm
EVENING CONCERT
THE ENGLISH HAYDN ORCHESTRA on period instruments
Conductor: STEVEN DEVINE
Soloists: Mark Baigent - oboe
Jennifer Pike - violin
Beethoven Symphony |No. 4 in C minor (1806)
Haydn Oboe Concerto in C Hob. VIIg:C1 (1790)
Interval 30 minutes
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor Opus 64 (1838)
Haydn Symphony No. 88 in G major (1787)
St Mary's Church, East Castle St., Bridgnorth. 7.30pm
EVENING CONCERT
THE ENGLISH HAYDN ORCHESTRA on period instruments
Conductor: STEVEN DEVINE
Soloists: Mark Baigent - oboe
Jennifer Pike - violin
Beethoven Symphony |No. 4 in C minor (1806)
Haydn Oboe Concerto in C Hob. VIIg:C1 (1790)
Interval 30 minutes
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor Opus 64 (1838)
Haydn Symphony No. 88 in G major (1787)
JENNIFER PIKE first gained international recognition in 2002, when, aged 12, she became the youngest-ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year and the youngest major prizewinner in the Menuhin International Violin Competition. Aged 15 she made acclaimed débuts at the BBC Proms and Wigmore Hall. Jennifer was invited to become a BBC New Generation Artist (2008-10), she won the inaugural International London Music Masters Award and became the only classical artist ever to win the South Bank Show/Times Breakthrough Award. Passionate about helping young people from all backgrounds enhance their lives through music, she was recently invited to become an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and Foundation for Children and the Arts, and patron of the Lord Mayor’s City Music Foundation |
The English Haydn Festival appreciate the financial support of Festival Friends, Sponsors, Donors, and Music Trusts, who are crucial to maintaining the quality of this World Class event.
On-Line: www.ticketsource.co.uk/haydn-festival-trust
Post: English Haydn Festival Booking Form
Download the 2023 Festival Programme Leaflet
click here:- 2023 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Phone: 07547 289704
AN 18th CENTURY EXPERIENCE
ST MARY'S CHURCH THE OLD CASTLE INN THE IRON BRIDGE TREVITHICK'S ENGINE 1792 1740 1779 1805
THE DOWN INN
THE DOWN INN
The Down Inn is located in the countryside just 5 minutes from Bridgnorth. The hotel features a restaurant and bar, and offers free on-site parking. The bedrooms offer a work desk, TV and radio.
Phone: 01746 780539
www.thedowninn.co.uk
The Down Inn is located in the countryside just 5 minutes from Bridgnorth. The hotel features a restaurant and bar, and offers free on-site parking. The bedrooms offer a work desk, TV and radio.
Phone: 01746 780539
www.thedowninn.co.uk
THE ROYLE
THE OLD CASTLE INN
Extracts from author Neil Thomas' article in Shropshire's What's What magazine:
This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.
Opt Out of Cookies