Leamington Music to warm hearts in winter

The first concert of the 23-event programme takes place at St Mary’s church in Warwick where Dame Emma Kirkby and London Baroque will launch the series with their programme The English Muse on Tuesday October 4.

The Tuesday series continues with Joglaresa in Dancing Girls of Granada on November 1 and the Ex Cathedra Consort returns for a candle-lit Christmas concert on December 13.

Russian group the Atrium Quartet will launch the strings series at the Pump Room in Leamington on Friday October 7 and the same venue will also host the Royal Quartet, from Poland, on Friday November 11.

Other quartets in the series include the Czech Martinu Quartet and the Barbirolli Quartet.

Richard Phillips, Director of Leamington Music, said: “The return of Dame Emma Kirkby to open Leamington Music’s sixth season has created a lot of interest at the box office.

“Warwick has an international reputation as a centre for early music, just as Leamington does for chamber music and the dynamic young Russians in the Atrium Quartet should get the monthly series at the Royal Pump Rooms off to a flying start.

“In all, we have a really exciting season of 23 concerts for everyone to enjoy.”

The Tuesday series will continue with Joglaresa, directed by singer Belinda Sykes, I Flautisi, the London-based recorder quartet, will give a concert at Kingsley School on Thursday October 13 as part of their three-day residency.

Leamington Music Prize winners Welsh mezzo soprano Anna Jeffers and Chinese pianist Di Wu will showcase their talents at the Bridge House Theatre in Warwick on Wednesday November 23.

On Thursday December 8 The Mellstock Band will bring its programme All Men Rejoice to the Spa centre Studio to celebrate Christmas in Hardy’s Wessex.

The Music in the Round Sunday afternoon series will starts on January 15 with a performance by the Lawson Piano Trio.

They will be followed by the Doric String Quartet, Ensemble 360, the Ludwig String Trio and the Calefax Wind Quartet.

Family concerts will be included in this series.

Tickets are available from the Bridge House Theatre Box Office, the visitor information centre at the Pump Room, St Mary’s church gift shop and the Warwick tourist information office in Jury Street. Call 776438 or visit www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk