Bristol Ensemble

Nailsworth: Mozart and More
2025-06-08 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Christ Church, Newmarket Road, Nailsworth, GL6 0DQ, United Kingdom
Join the Bristol Ensemble for Mozart and More, a recital of delightful classical-era music.
Opening with Mozart’s Duo Concertante, presented in a rarely heard sextet arrangement, the concert explores both the timeless and the inventive. Alongside the elegance of Haydn, Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte brings a modern twist—drawing from Haydn’s own work but venturing into a whimsical, mirror-world where tradition transforms into vibrant new forms.
Tea and cakes served at 4pm.
Tickets £15, available on the door and online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nailsworth-mozart-and-more-tickets-1270337055329

Preludes Music school concerts
2025-06-09 | Swindon, Swindon
Bristol Ensemble’s new project BE Inspired was launched in Spring 2024 to bring Bristol Ensemble performances and interactive learning experiences to children who may otherwise be unlikely to access live music and culture.
BE Inspired includes visits to schools by a 12-piece orchestra, performances of engaging and relevant classical and contemporary pieces, and interactive sessions where strings, woodwind and brass instruments are introduced, and children can ask questions and get involved.

Preludes Music school concerts
2025-06-10, 2025-06-16, 2025-06-23 | Bristol, Bristol

Richter and Vivaldi – A Glorious Summer
2025-06-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ, United Kingdom
Experience one of Bristol’s most anticipated choral performances this summer at Bristol Cathedral. Join the Bristol Cathedral Choir and Bristol Ensemble as they unite for a stunning performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria, known for its uplifting choral energy. The evening will also feature Max Richter’s innovative reimagining of The Four Seasons, blending Vivaldi’s iconic composition with modern elements for a fresh, exciting take.
The concert will be complemented by lesser-known pieces from contemporary composers such as Ola Gjeilo and Henryk Gorécki, whose atmospheric works provide a perfect contrast to the evening’s repertoire.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Bristol Cathedral, this concert offers an exceptional opportunity to enjoy world-class choral and instrumental music in one of the city’s most remarkable settings. The Cathedral’s breathtaking acoustics enhance every note, making it the ideal place to experience these powerful compositions.
Bristol Cathedral Choir, conducted by Mark Lee, Director of Music, is a dedicated and talented ensemble known for their exceptional performances, especially during their beloved Carols by Candlelight service. With a strong commitment to excellence, the choir practices regularly to deliver beautiful and moving music at services and special events throughout the year.
Doors open: 6:30pm
Performance starts: 7:00pm
Format: Reserved seating
Age: Suitable for all ages

Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight
2025-06-13 19:30 - 21:30 | The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre, Princess Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1EH
Bristol Ensemble
Roger Huckle director/soloist
Antonio Vivaldi The Four Seasons
Ludovico Einaudi Primavera, Divenire, Petricor, I Giorni
The wonderful nature inspired music of Vivaldi and Einaudi come together in this stunning summer concert.
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is one of the best loved pieces of classical music managing to capture the character of the Italian countryside through a year as the landscape and nature changes with the seasons. As the first example of programme music we introduce the story of The Four Seasons in a humorous and revealing way.
The natural world is also beautifully depicted by the works of Ludovico Einaudi as he takes us through Spring, the evocative Petricor – smell of rain and I Giorni – ‘In the Days, Our Life’, which conclude an emotional and uplifting programme of music.
Tickets £21 available online at www.theprincesstheatre.co.uk/events/bristol-ensemble, by phone on 01278 784464 or over the counter at The Princess Theatre.

Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight
2025-06-14 20:30 - 21:30 | The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath, BA1 1UF, United Kingdom
Join the Bristol Ensemble for a joyful celebration of one of the most beloved works in classical music!
In this special anniversary performance, the Bristol Ensemble will guide you through Vivaldi’s iconic ‘Four Seasons’ with witty and insightful introductions, revealing the hidden stories behind his groundbreaking music.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the work for the first time, this unique event promises to be both entertaining and enlightening.
Join the Bristol Ensemble for a magical candlelit concert celebrating the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s timeless masterpiece.

Stardust and The Space Between The Stars
2025-06-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Bath Abbey, Bath, BA1 1LT, United Kingdom
Stardust is back and this time with its brand-new prequel, The Space Between the Stars, performed in one unforgettable event!
Join 250 children from Bath and North East Somerset primary schools and the Voices for Life Bath Children’s Choir on their musical journey through space.
Written by Jools Scott and Sue Curtis, Stardust and The Space Between the Stars have been commissioned by Voices for Life. Through a series of school workshops and rehearsals, our young space explorers have been preparing to discover what exciting adventures await them beyond Earth’s horizons! They’ll encounter various challenges as they seek out a new planet to call home, but we’re sure that with courage and the help of their newfound friends, they’ll make it through.
The children’s performance will be conducted by Katrine Reimers, accompanied by Bristol Ensemble, and narrated by John Telfer from The Archers.
It is suitable for any age!
Voices for Life envisions a world where every child has the chance to create music, enhancing wellbeing and fostering vibrant communities. By harnessing the power of music, creativity, and performance, we empower children on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards future Voices for Life projects, bringing more musical opportunities to primary school children and inspiring them to be happy and confident through music.
Tickets from £4, available from Bath Box Office online at bathboxoffice.org.uk and by phone on 01225 463362.

BE Together
2025-06-26 11:00 - 15:00
This year, Bristol Ensemble are hosting another round of ‘BE Together’ concerts, bringing live orchestral music, collaboration, and creativity, to older people in different settings across Bristol and the local region.
Each visit will be tailored to the recipient group and involve a performance by four professional musicians (a singer, pianist, violinist, and cellist) who play for the Bristol Ensemble, plus joint musical or singing activities.
Musicians will perform a varied programme of recognisable and poignant pieces, designed to inspire memories, delight, bring joy, and offer comfort and solace to audiences. The programme will feature classical pieces, music from theatre or film, and/or popular music.
We are grateful to The Grateful Society for their support towards this project.

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons - The Opera
2025-06-28 18:30 - 21:30 | Prior Park College Chapel, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH, United Kingdom
Lucis Choir
Bristol Ensemble
Francis Faux and Richard Mainwaring artistic directors
On the 300th anniversary of its publication, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons has been reimagined as an opera by composer, author and broadcaster Richard Mainwaring. The story centres around an ill-fated couple who ignore the warnings of Mother Nature, ultimately paying the price for human folly and arrogance. The protagonists – Bella and Pietro – fall in love in spring; pay no attention to the warning storms of summer; bear a child in autumn; and perish in winter.
Though Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons – The Opera touches on modern climate change issues, it is musically very much rooted in 1725. Mainwaring’s adaptation remains faithful to the original score, taking additional recitatives from other Vivaldi works. The opera’s music remains instantly recognisable, transforming some of the greatest melodies into emotional vocal lines full of passion, remorse, celebration and foreboding. Collaborating with writer Jo Yeaxlee-Batch, the libretto for The Four Seasons is set in 18th century English, as if translated at the time of publication.
5.30pm – Audience welcome to picnic in the grounds
6.30pm – Prosecco reception (included in ticket price)
7.30pm – Concert start
Approx. run time of 2hrs.
Tickets £35 including prosecco reception (under 18s £10), available from Bath Box Office online or by phone on 01225 463362

Vivaldi Four Seasons
2025-07-17 19:30 - 21:30 | King’s Bruton Recital Hall, The Plox, Bruton, BA10 0ED, United Kingdom
Come and join us at King’s Bruton to enjoy a wonderful evening of classical music. Principals from The Bristol Ensemble, Bristol’s own professional ensemble, perform music themed by the seasons, culminating in a full performance of the magnificent Four Seasons by Vivaldi.

If Opera: Tales from the SS Great Britain
2025-07-19 18:00 - 23:00 | SS Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY, United Kingdom
This summer, If Opera, one of the UK’s most progressive and exciting opera ensembles, is partnering with the SS Great Britain Trust to bring a spectacular dining performance to Bristol.
Tales from the SS Great Britain follows a cast of characters who share their stories of love and laughter, tragedy and loss. Passengers will come to life like never before through music and songs that promise to both sadden and gladden the heart.
Mr Brunel will be present to compère for the evening. He will guide guests as they journey through the lives of fascinating characters who travelled at sea and from operatic history. The performance is accompanied by three delicious courses served on board the iconic SS Great Britain in the elegant First Class Dining Saloon.
The evening will feature some of opera’s most beloved music accompanied by musicians from the Bristol Ensemble, where guests can delight in beautiful arias from some of the greatest composers in history.
Doors open at 6pm
Arrival drink
3-course dinner
If Opera performances between courses
Finishes at 11pm
Tickets can be bought individually or as tables of up to 8 people. Please note bookings for this event close on 4 July.

Kevin Figes: Sound Dimensions
2025-07-30 20:00 - 22:00 | The Mount Without, Upper Church Ln, Bristol, BS2 8FN, United Kingdom
Kevin Figes saxophone and composer
Brigitte Beraha vocals
Gaz Williams electronics
Bristol Ensemble
Bristol composer and saxophonist Kevin Figes presents Sound Dimensions: an ambitious new suite inspired by Italian greats Ennio Morricone, Luigi Nono and Bruno Maderna.
Featuring the Bristol Ensemble, vocalist Brigitte Beraha, electronics from Gaz Williams and leading South West musicians, this genre-defying performance fuses jazz, classical and experimental sounds into a bold, cinematic experience.
Format: Seated
Age: 14+

If Opera: Rigoletto
2025-08-07 19:00 - 21:30, 2025-08-09 19:00 - 21:30, 2025-08-14 19:00 - 21:30, 2025-08-16 19:00 - 21:30 | Church Farm, Wingfield, Church Farm, Wingfield, Wiltshire, BA14 9LE
Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto
Libretto by Francesca Maria Piave, based on Victor Hugo’s Le roi s’amuse
First performed 11th March 1851 at La Fenice, Venice
Conductor Oliver Gooch
Director Nina Brazier
Designer Elliott Squire
Lighting Designer Luca Panetta
Bristol Ensemble
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Since its triumphant premiere in 1851, Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto has remained at the very heart of the operatic repertoire. The story revolves around Rigoletto, the court jester to the morally corrupt Duke of Mantua, who is tormented by the Duke’s lecherous behaviour and vows to protect his daughter, Gilda. However, the Duke has already set his sights on the innocent girl, and Rigoletto unknowingly facilitates the seduction, with devastating consequences.
Renowned for its powerful arias, including Gilda’s exquisite idealisation of her new lover in Caro nome, and the Duke’s carefree La donna è mobile reflecting on the fickle nature of women, we are offered two deeply contrasting perspectives on love and relationships.
As we follow Rigoletto’s internal struggle, we witness a tragedy which captures the complexities of love, betrayal and sacrifice, the corrupting influence of power, and the very nature of revenge.
4.30pm Gardens & restaurant open
7pm Performance starts
9.30pm Approximate end
Running time: two hours with half-hour interval
Tickets £30 to £120, available online at www.ifopera.com/rigoletto and from Bath Box Office on 01225 463362.

If Opera: Orpheus in the Underworld
2025-08-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Church Farm, Wingfield, Church Farm, Wingfield, Wiltshire, BA14 9LE
Jacques Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld
Libretto by Hector Crémieux and Ludovic Halévy
Sung (mostly) in J R Planché’s London version (1865)
Narrative script and lyrics for five additional numbers by Simon Butteriss
Two act version first performed 21st October 1858 at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens
Michael Waldron conductor
Simon Butteriss director
Elliott Squire associate designer
Luca Panetta lighting designer
Bristol Ensemble
Sung in English with surtitles
Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld scandalized and delighted 19th century Paris – no one was safe and nothing was sacred as Offenbach cut a gleeful swathe through political, musical and moral peccadilloes with a dazzlingly tuneful score that embraced both the Can-Can and the Marseillaise. Offenbach, dubbed by Rossini the Mozart of the Champs Elysées, pokes hilarious fun at po-faced classical opera in general and Gluck in particular as Orpheus is dragged to Hell to rescue an unwilling wife, accompanied by the Gods, in search of Bacchanalian joy.
“National treasure” (BBC Music Magazine) Simon Butteriss adapts and directs what promises to be an outrageously joyous version of Offenbach’s comic masterpiece.
4.30pm Gardens & restaurant open
7pm Performance starts
9pm Approximate end
Running time: two hours with half-hour interval
Tickets £30 to £120, available online at www.ifopera.com/orpheus-in-the-underworld and from Bath Box Office on 01225 463362.

If Opera Picnic Prom
2025-08-10 16:30 - 21:15 | Church Farm, Wingfield, Church Farm, Wingfield, Wiltshire, BA14 9LE
If Opera’s popular picnic prom returns with Clare Teal’s 25th anniversary tour!
The Clare Teal 7
Expect exhilarating swing from award-winning jazz vocalist and long-time Radio 2 & Jazz FM broadcaster, Clare Teal, who returns with a fabulous new show in 2025 to celebrate 25 years of touring.
The Clare Teal 7  is a truly exciting collaboration between Clare and her regular trio (led by world class pianist Jason Rebello) featuring some of  the UK’s finest jazz musicians.
Teal’s live shows are constantly evolving, always richly infused with jazz, and critically renowned across the country for their fabulous arrangements interspersed with Clare’s warm and witty storytelling. Enter a magical world where the talents of Sam Smith, Cole Porter, Van Morrison, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Radiohead, Blossom Dearie, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan are heralded by Clare and her band using their unique swing jazz palette.
As one of the UK’s greatest interpreters of popular song and a much-loved performer, Clare and her band guarantee an evening of inspirational, uplifting music and unbridled entertainment performed by the very best.

Amadeus + LIVE music
2025-09-12 19:00 - 22:00 | Curzon Cinema Clevedon, 46 Old Church Road, Clevedon, BS21 6NN
“Amadeus weaves a beautiful, tragic fable, enchanting to children and adults alike. It has gore, a pact with God, celebrity, a masked stranger, murder and some of the best music ever written. What other film offers half as much? ” – The Guardian
The opulent, mad-cap, origin story of the talent that was Mozart is back on the big screen in a 4k restoration, ready to be seen in the style it deserves. A sumptous period drama unlike any other; there is no staid behaviour to be had here, this is the tale of a rock ‘n’ roll classical musician.
Amadeus is a feast for the senses, and one which needs no apetite for classical music. Winner of 8 Oscars, if you haven’t seen it, you must,and on a big screen.
Dress up, wigs optional but much admired, arrive as doors open at 7pm to enjoy live classical music with a drink before the film starts.

Listen In with Dame Evelyn Glennie
2025-09-24 18:30 - 22:30 | St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
How do we listen?
In our world of online distraction, what happens if we stop for a moment, take a collective breath and really listen to ourselves and the world around us? What does it mean to come together and truly listen to magical sounds being created for all our senses?
Join us for an extraordinary evening this September as we welcome Dame Evelyn Glennie, the world’s premiere percussionist, accompanied by Bristol Ensemble, to explore these questions through a beautiful and immersive performance specially created for St George’s.
From Vivaldi to Richter, this eclectic programme will be performed in the round for an audience of just 250 – less than half our main hall’s normal capacity. Expect to feel the music up close and see St George’s in a new light through this extraordinary performance, which will not be recorded or repeated.
“My career and my life have been about listening in the deepest possible sense. Losing my hearing meant learning how to listen differently, to discover features of sound I hadn’t realised existed. Losing my hearing made me a better listener.” – Dame Evelyn Glennie
This attention to listening, combined with the magic of collectively experiencing live music, lies at the heart of our mission at St George’s. We strive to create extraordinary live musical experiences, for everyone.
Arrival 6.30pm
Dress code: wear something that makes your heart sing
Welcome
Drinks and canapés
Listen In
Immersive live performance co-created for St George’s Bristol by Dame Evelyn Glennie and Bristol Ensemble
Supper
A delicious supper menu specially designed for Listen In, with tray service and festival-style grazing stations throughout the evening
Other musical experiences in our venue and grounds
Opportunity to bid in our live postcard auction – further information below
A £20 donation to St George’s Bristol is included within your ticket price
Your support means we can continue work with young musicians across Bristol and beyond, engaging over 4,000 children in musical and education projects across the city; it also means you’re helping us safeguarding our historic venue, in order to present over 300 performances here each year.
Please note: Age restriction 18+ due to alcohol licensing and live auction.

Salon Sessions
2025-09-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-26 20:30 - 21:30 | Alhampton Tabernacle Chapel, Alhampton, Shepton Mallet BA4 6QA, UK, Alhampton Tabernacle Chapel, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QA, United Kingdom
Join Bristol Ensemble and acclaimed vocalist Kat Kleve for an intimate evening of velvet-toned music in the unique surroundings of Alhampton’s Tabernacle. Salon Sessions blends timeless classics, soulful ballads, and elegant instrumentals — from Elgar and Piazzolla to Eva Cassidy, Gershwin, and Etta James — performed by a rich ensemble of violin, cello, keyboard and voice. This is a modern-day musical soirée: relaxed, refined, and full of atmosphere.
Come for the music, stay for the mood — and round off the evening just down the road at the Alhampton Inn with our special dinner deal — delicious fish and chips at the Alhampton Inn plus your concert ticket for only £36. A wonderful evening of music, good company and great food, without having to travel far. https://alhamptoninn.com/
Two performances, 6.30pm and 8.30pm. If you purchase our dinner deal ticket, Fish and Chips will be served at the Alhampton Inn from 5pm to 9pm on presentation of your ticket.
Programme
· • Chanson de Matin Elgar (violin/keyboard)
· • Dream a Little Dream of Me
· • Natural Woman Carole King
· • Oblivion Piazzolla (instrumental)
· • Gabriels Oboe Morricone (cello feature)
· • Summertime Gershwin
· • Maybe This Time from Cabaret
· • I Got Rhythm Gershwin (instrumental)
· • At Last Etta James
· • Thats Life Sinatra
· • Czardas Monti (violin feature)
· • Over the Rainbow Eva Cassidy version
· • Feeling Good Nina Simone

Henleaze Concert Society: Eastern Echoes
2025-09-27 19:30 - 21:30 | Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Bristol, BS9 4BT, United Kingdom
Béla Bartók Romanian Folk Dances
Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 Op.21
Dmitri Shostakovich Gadfly Suite
Franz Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies 2 and 9 arr. strings
Viv Mclean piano
Our season opens with Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, a vibrant suite composed in 1915 amid the turmoil of the First World War. Drawing on fiddle tunes he collected from the Transylvanian countryside, Bartók captures the raw energy and charm of traditional peasant music—from the flirtatious Sash Dance to the proud swagger of the Stick Dance.
Folk influences also shine in Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies. Written in 1851, Rhapsody No. 2 – described by Liszt as “truly Hungarian” – is a beloved showpiece, while No. 9 blends authentic folk melodies with brilliant improvisatory flair, creating a dazzling display of virtuosity and color.
Dmitri Shostakovich’s Gadfly Suite brings cinematic drama to the concert hall. Composed for the 1955 Soviet film The Gadfly, it follows the tale of a 19th-century Austrian revolutionary. The suite includes the dashing Galop and the lush, unforgettable Romance.
We close with the lyrical beauty of Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, composed in 1829 when he was just 20 years old. Premiered in Warsaw to a sold-out audience with Chopin himself at the keyboard, this concerto showcases the composer’s gift for haunting melodies and brilliant pianism. The central Adagio, tender and romantic, was inspired by his youthful infatuation with soprano Konstancja Gładkowska.
Pre-concert talk with Steve Clarke begins at 6.45pm. Doors open at 6.15pm for the talk and at 7.15pm for the concert only. If coming to the concert only, we should be grateful if you would try to avoid arriving during the talk.
Individual concert prices
Tickets for Henleaze Concert Society members £17.50
Tickets for non members £21
Under 25 year olds £5
The ticket price includes the pre concert talk, a programme and interval drink.
How to book
Book tickets online – see below
You can also book by sending a cheque payable to Henleaze Concert Society, covering note and SAE to 2 Saville Mews, Kingsdown Parade, Bristol BS6 5UL
Tickets are available on the door from 6.15pm.
Season Tickets and Annual Society Membership
Season tickets are only £100 including Society Membership and admission to all six concerts from September to July. Alternatively, becoming a member of Henleaze Concert Society for £15 entitles you to book tickets for individual concerts at the members’ discounted rate. Season tickets and membership are available to buy by post by returning the Ticket Order Form with your payment and a stamped addressed envelope.

Somerset International Festival of the Arts - Baroque 'n' Roll
2025-10-03 19:30 - 21:30 | St Andrew’s Church, St Andrew's Church, Backwell, BS48 3JJ, United Kingdom
The 2025 Somerset International Festival of the Arts opening night features a programme of much-loved Baroque favourites alongside some modern classics, in a beautifully candlelit atmosphere. You can expect everything from Bach and Vivaldi alongside a few surprises Queen and Metallica for a fantastically eclectic programme!
*The ticket price includes a free drink*
Tickets £10 to £20 for adults, under 18s free of charge available online at www.somersetfestivalarts.co.uk

Somerset International Festival of the Arts - Family Concert
2025-10-04 10:30 - 11:30 | St Andrew’s Church, St Andrew's Church, Backwell, BS48 3JJ, United Kingdom
Embark on an epic adventure with Music for Miniatures as oboe, violin, and piano weave captivating tales from myths and legends! This interactive classical concert, perfect for children aged from 3 to 10, brings heroic quests, mystical creatures, and legendary adventures to life through enchanting melodies. Get ready to discover the magic of music and become part of the story!
Perfect for young children (up to age 10) and their grown-ups.
Tickets available online at www.somersetfestivalarts.co.uk

Somerset International Festival of the Arts - A Tribute to Édith Piaf
2025-10-04 19:30 - 21:30 | St Andrew’s Church, St Andrew's Church, Backwell, BS48 3JJ, United Kingdom
An unforgettable evening showcasing the iconic Ediaf Piaf, featuring arrangements of her most memorable works for live orchestra, such as La Vie en Rose, Rien de Rien, Padam Madam, Non je ne regrette rien, and many more…
*The ticket price includes a free drink*
Tickets available online at www.somersetfestivalarts.co.uk
