Christmas Spectacular
2025-12-19 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
Exultate Singers
Bristol Ensemble
David Ogden conductor
Roger Huckle director
Bristol Ensemble and Exultate Singers perform their annual feast of beautiful Christmas music, combining light-hearted joyfulness with atmospheric and moving carols and orchestral music, under the direction of David Ogden and Roger Huckle.
“The best Christmas show ever. Great mix of music, fantastic conductor, audience participation and comedy. What more could you ask for – fantastic.” Audience member
“A pure delight – a joyful mix of carols, classical pieces, comedy and audience participation – Christmas has arrived!” Audience member

The Snowman in Concert at the Spiegeltent
2025-12-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Christmas Spiegeltent, Waterfront Square, Off Canons Way, The Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5LL
Step into a world of wonder this winter as The Bristol Ensemble brings the beloved story of The Snowman to life in the Spiegeltent. Watch young imaginations take flight as this heartwarming tale is beautifully narrated, accompanied by live orchestral music and stunning aerial performance.
A magical experience for all ages, perfect for the festive season.
Ticket Info
General Admission – £18 – Unreserved Theatre Seating
Accessible Seating – £18 – Designated area for patron using a wheelchair or similar.
Essential companion Ticket – £9 – Available for those to accompany audience members with accessible seating tickets.
Under 1 year of age, no ticket is required, and child can sit on parents’ lap. While there will be rows of seating, there will also be a floor area at the front where little ones (and their adults!) can sit together and enjoy the show up close.
For seated shows there is a designated accessible area with spaces for wheelchairs. All spaces each have a seat next to them for a companion.

Handel's Messiah
2025-12-20 19:00 - 22:00 | Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ, United Kingdom
Fitzhardinge Consort
Bristol Ensemble
Elin Manahan Thomas soprano
Amy Blythe alto
Michael Gormley tenor
Stephen Hamnett bass
Join The Fitzhardinge Consort and Bristol Ensemble for a special performance of Handel’s Messiah in the stunning surroundings of Bristol Cathedral.
With celebrated soloists Elin Manahan Thomas, Amy Blythe, Michael Gormley, and Stephen Hamnett, this one-night concert offers a chance to experience one of the most iconic works in classical music, performed with clarity, power, and poise.
More than a festive concert, this evening follows a centuries-old tradition: using Messiah as a force for good. All proceeds will go to the NSPCC, supporting their vital work with vulnerable children.
Why Messiah?
First performed in 1742 to raise funds for those in need, Messiah became a fixture of charitable giving thanks to Handel’s partnership with the Foundling Hospital – Britain’s first children’s charity. This Bristol performance carries that legacy into the present day, in support of the NSPCC’s ongoing mission.

Festive Fiesta
2025-12-20 19:30 - 22:00 | St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
City of Bristol Choir
Bristol Ensemble
David Ogden conductor
Roger Huckle director
Join in with the 100 voices of City of Bristol Choir to sing some of your favourite carols, accompanied by professional orchestra the Bristol Ensemble. Festive orchestral music and beautiful carols sung by the choir are interspersed with uplifting traditional Christmas carols for audience members to sing, directed by David Ogden and Roger Huckle.
“Wonderful atmosphere with a great mix of classical music, carols and fun.” Audience member
Tickets £17 / £22 / £28 / £32, available from St George’s Bristol box office online, by phone on 0117 929 4929 and over the counter at St George’s.

Children's Christmas Carnival
2025-12-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-21 16:00 - 17:00 | St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
Bristol Ensemble
Roger Huckle conductor

Kiera Marie-Somers presenter & vocals

Turlough Convery narrator

Bristol Ensemble bring their wholesome, interactive, and family-friendly Children’s Christmas Carnival to St George’s! Hosted by West End singer and actor Kiera Marie-Somers, the concert offers a fun introduction to all the instruments in the orchestra, showcasing their magic through a performance of Howard Blake’s ‘The Snowman’, narrated by renowned actor Turlough Convery (Sanditon, Slow Horses, Killing Eve), conducted by Roger Huckle and featuring dancers from Bristol Ballet Centre.

The event also features a festive mix of your favourite Christmas songs and Disney hits, guaranteed to get everyone singing, dancing, and filled with holiday cheer. It’s the ultimate Christmas celebration!

A Baroque Christmas by Candlelight
2025-12-21 19:30 - 21:30 | St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
An evening of festive Baroque favourites, including Corelli’s ever popular Christmas Concerto alongside music by Bach and Handel.
Tickets £13 / £19 / £26 / £30, available from St George’s Bristol box office online, by phone on 0117 929 4929 and over the counter at St George’s.

Christmas Special with Roderick Williams
2025-12-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-23 19:30 - 21:30 | St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
Corelli Christmas Concerto
Vivaldi Winter from The Four Seasons
Caccini Ave Maria
Handel The Trumpet shall Sound (from Messiah)
Bach Grosser Herr, from Cantata BWV248
Christmas favourites:
White Christmas
Amazing Grace
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Mary’s Boy Child, Christmas Lullaby …and much more!
Join Britain’s leading baritone, Roderick Williams, for an unforgettable evening of festive music with the Bristol Ensemble. This glorious concert includes Christmas favourites alongside exquisite works by Corelli, Caccini, and Vivaldi, interwoven with seasonal readings to warm the heart!
The Bristol Ensemble brings their signature charm with a selection of their beloved Christmas medleys – offering a delightful mix of fun, flair, and virtuosity to complete this festive celebration.
Roderick Williams is renowned for his rich, velvet-toned baritone and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most sought-after singers. With a career spanning decades, he has captivated audiences from the world’s great opera houses to the BBC Proms, and most recently performed at the King’s Coronation in 2023. We are thrilled to welcome him to our Christmas concerts this year.
Tickets £12 / £17 / £27 / £32 (plus St George’s booking fees) available online at St George’s box office, by phone on 0117 929 4929, and over the counter at St George’s.

Henleaze Concert Society: Tchaikovsky Reflections
2026-01-24 19:30 - 21:30 | Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Bristol, BS9 4BT, United Kingdom
Tchaikovsky Excerpts from The Nutcracker Suite, arranged for strings
Tchaikovsky Andante cantabile from String Quartet No.1 Op.11
Arensky Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence
This richly expressive programme explores the emotional depth, lyricism, and legacy of one of Russia’s most beloved composers, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
We begin with highlights from The Nutcracker Suite, Tchaikovsky’s ballet filled with iconic melodies. These colourful excerpts capture the magic and charm that have made the score a seasonal favourite around the world.
Next is the serene and tender Andante cantabile from his String Quartet No. 1, a piece so moving it reportedly brought Leo Tolstoy to tears. With its simple, heartfelt theme, this work shows Tchaikovsky’s gift for emotional directness.
Russian composer Anton Arensky pays tribute to his mentor in the beautiful Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky, based on a melody from Tchaikovsky’s Legend. Each variation explores a different mood and texture, revealing both Arensky’s creativity and the enduring power of Tchaikovsky’s music.
We conclude with the passionate and expansive Souvenir de Florence, written during a stay in Italy but rooted in Russian intensity. Scored for string sextet, this vibrant work moves from fiery drama to lyrical beauty, combining Western elegance with Slavic soul.
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.

Paris by Night by Candlelight
2026-02-13 19:30 - 21:30 | The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath, BA1 1UF, United Kingdom
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Paris by Night, a romantic candlelit evening of music that captures the soul of the City of Light. From the smoky cafés of Edith Piaf to the refined elegance of Poulenc and the dreamlike soundscapes of Debussy, the Bristol Ensemble celebrates the timeless beauty of French music under the stars – the perfect way to share this special night!

Exultate Singers: St Matthew Passion
2026-02-28 19:00 - 22:10 | St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
Exultate Singers
Bristol Ensemble Baroque
Peter Davoren Evangelist / tenor
Frederick Long Christus / bass
Martha McLorinan alto
Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir Exultate Singers joins forces with the period-instrument orchestra Bristol Ensemble Baroque to perform one of the most profound and moving works ever written, J.S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion.
Composed in 1727 for Good Friday at St Thomas’s Church in Leipzig, the St Matthew Passion stands as one of the crowning achievements of Western music. It tells the story of Christ’s final days – his betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and burial – in music of drama, devotion and beauty that continues to resonate nearly three centuries later.
Bach’s music moves seamlessly between vivid storytelling and moments of deep reflection. The Evangelist narrates the unfolding events in expressive recitative, and heartfelt arias, chorales and monumental choruses invite the listener to contemplate universal themes of suffering, compassion and redemption.
The tenor soloist and Evangelist is the “superbly artistic” Peter Davoren, who sings with illustrious groups including the BBC Singers, Monteverdi Choir, Tenebrae, the Sixteen and Solomon’s Knot. Bass Frederick Long, a distinguished concert and opera singer known for his performances with acclaimed vocal ensemble I Fagiolini, brings expressive warmth and dignity to the role of Christus. They are joined by Bristol Ensemble Baroque performing on authentic period instruments, bringing clarity, colour and immediacy to Bach’s glorious score.
The magnificent acoustic of St George’s Bristol provides the perfect setting for this immersive and powerful musical experience. Whether you are encountering the work for the first time or returning to it as a cherished masterpiece, this promises to be an unforgettable evening of spiritual and emotional intensity, performed in the original German.
Tickets
Front 5 rows of central stalls and central gallery £30
Mid and rear central stalls £27
Side stalls and first row of side gallery £27
Second row of side gallery £22
Third row of side gallery £18
How to book
Book with Exultate Singers box office (no booking fee)
Book with St George’s box office – the venue’s 9% booking fee applies

Buy online at www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
Telephone 0117 929 4929 (open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 3pm)
Book in person at St George’s Bristol (open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 3pm, and in person 90 minutes before the start of an event)

Henleaze Concert Society: Mozart & Haydn
2026-03-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Bristol, BS9 4BT, United Kingdom
Mozart Serenade No. 6 in D major ‘Serenata notturna’, K. 239
Haydn Sinfonia Concertante in B flat major for violin, oboe, bassoon and cello
Haydn Serenade Op.3/5
Mozart Symphony No.40 in G minor K.550
Two of the Classical era’s most brilliant minds – Mozart and Haydn – come together in this elegant and spirited programme that blends charm, wit, and emotional depth.
We open with Mozart’s Serenata Notturna, a delightful serenade written for a rare combination of strings and timpani. Brimming with elegance and good humor, this charming work was composed for an outdoor evening performance, capturing the sparkle and grace of 18th-century Salzburg.
Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante is a dazzling showcase for four solo instruments – violin, oboe, bassoon, and cello. With its witty interplay and symphonic grandeur, the piece highlights Haydn’s mastery of form and his flair for creating dialogue between soloists and orchestra.
The concert also features Haydn’s beautiful Serenade – a lyrical movement which features graceful melody and a heartfelt simplicity.
We end with one of Mozart’s most profound and dramatic works: the Symphony No. 40 in G minor. With its restless energy, stormy harmonies, and emotional intensity, this symphony stands as a towering achievement, revealing Mozart’s genius at its most expressive and mature.
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.

Baroque ’n’ Roll
2026-03-10 19:30 - 21:30 | The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath, BA1 1UF, United Kingdom
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!

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.

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.
