Bristol Ensemble

Baroque ’n’ Roll
2026-04-24 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre, Princess Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1EH
Get ready for a night where the harpsichord meets the headbang! Baroque ’n’ Roll features a programme of much-loved Baroque favourites alongside modern classics. You can expect everything from Bach and Vivaldi to a few surprises from Queen and Metallica, for a fantastically eclectic evening. Performed by the dynamic Bristol Ensemble, this concert blurs the line between classical refinement and rock rebellion!

Preludes Music
2026-05-04 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-01 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-06 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-07 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-05 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-11-02 08:00 - 17:00
Preludes Music, the education arm of the Bristol Ensemble, continues its work in areas of Bristol that are experiencing high levels of economic disadvantage and aims to put music at the heart of every child’s education. By doing so we improve confidence, co-ordination, speech and language and benefit all other areas of their learning.
Preludes Music has been running successfully since 2009 in several schools areas of Bristol. It is the most extensive project of its type in the country and grew from discussions between Roger Huckle of the Bristol Ensemble, Professor Leslie Bunt of the University of the West of England and James Wetz a former Head Teacher.
Find out more at www.bristolensemble.com/preludes

Henleaze Concert Society: From Grace to Grandeur
2026-05-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Bristol, BS9 4BT, United Kingdom
Mozart Divertimento in D
Stamitz Concerto for Flute, Oboe and Strings in G major
Schubert Octet
This refined and radiant programme brings together three masters of the Classical and early Romantic eras, offering a journey from sparkling elegance to expansive lyricism.
Mozart’s Divertimento in D opens the concert with charm and vitality. Written for strings, this bright and buoyant work captures the composer’s signature wit and grace. Originally intended as light entertainment, it’s filled with poised melodies, graceful dance movements, and the effortless brilliance of Mozart at his most genial.
We continue with Carl Stamitz’s Concerto for Flute, Oboe, and Strings in G major—a graceful and spirited dialogue between two soloists. As a leading figure of the Mannheim School, Stamitz brings clarity, elegance, and a touch of operatic flair to this delightful concerto, blending Classical poise with expressive nuance.
The programme concludes with Schubert’s magnificent Octet, a monumental work for eight players that bridges the intimacy of chamber music with symphonic ambition. Rich in melody and emotional range, it flows through moments of lyrical beauty, lively rustic dances, and deep reflection—an expansive and deeply human musical conversation.
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 at Bristol Ensemble’s online box office.
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.

Bath Choral Society: Dido and Aeneas
2026-05-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1DZ, United Kingdom
Purcell Dido and Aeneas
Handel Dixit Dominus
Bath Choral Society
Bristol Ensemble
Stephanie Bodsworth and Rebecca Bottone sopranos
Olivia Ray alto
Eamonn Mulhall tenor
Philip Smith bass
Katrine Reimers conductor
Was ever a tragic love story more poignantly told?
Dido and Aeneas, the seventeenth-century gem depicting the abandonment of the Queen of Carthage, is a serious contender for the greatest English opera of all time. Purcell’s take on the story from Virgil’s Aeneid involves the chorus at every stage of the action. Underpinned with a powerful immediacy and simplicity, it has long had a broad appeal. The work’s emotional climax, “When I am laid in earth”, is as devastating as it is exquisite.
This concert performance is paired with another great masterpiece from the Baroque – Handel’s Dixit Dominus. Handel, ever a master of drama, brings to this choral Psalm setting a range of colours so broad that it might even take fans of his Messiah by surprise.

Nailsworth
2026-05-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Christ Church, Newmarket Road, Nailsworth, GL6 0DQ, United Kingdom
Bristol Ensemble’s professional musicians perform chamber music as part of their series of concerts at Christ Church, Nailsworth. Tea and cakes served at 4pm. Tickets £15, available on the door and online at the Bristol Ensemble box office.

Preludes Music concert
2026-05-19 12:30 - 14:15 | St Mary Redcliffe Church, Colston Parade, BS1 6RA
Local children from Bristol Ensemble’s award-winning music education programme take to the stage to perform in their annual Preludes Music concert.
The children will be supported by the Preludes Music band and Bristol Ensemble players, delivering a wonderful learning experience for the children, and a fantastic concert for audience members.
Preludes Music is an education programme run by the Bristol Ensemble. Preludes has been working with children in under-resourced local communities for 15 years – delivering music education and life-enriching cultural experiences to children who have few opportunities to access music and the arts.

Henleaze Concert Society: Summer Serenade
2026-06-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Bristol, BS9 4BT, United Kingdom
Henleaze Concert Society’s season closes with a delightful programme of music suitable for a summer’s evening.
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 at Bristol Ensemble’s online box office.
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.
