Welcome
St George’s Bristol is proud to be launching, in association with BBC Radio 3, the first Bristol Baroque Festival. It unwraps an abundance of great music and artistry that flourished during the Baroque era, bringing it into the light of the modern day in a way that underscores its zest and glorious originality. The musical genius of JS Bach is a particular focus this year, with two of his greatest devotional works book ending the festival, but there are plenty of other programmes to grab attention, from a dramatic Handel and the Rival Queens offering from the Early Opera Company to an exploration of Spain’s Golden Age with The Harp Consort – and even a children’s concert that journeys from Rome to the rain forests of South America in the company of a magic pearl necklace.
BBC Radio 3 has been at our side from the very start of our ventures into this era of music-making, and it’s a particular pleasure that they will be broadcasting Radio 3 Live in Concert from St George’s from Monday 25 to Friday 29 March as well as creating a number of interviews and spoken word events to illuminate the Baroque, as part of a wider BBC Radio 3 Baroque season. Radio 3 presenter Tom Service will be introducing all the live broadcast concerts and helping to send the St George’s sound out around the country – so all that remains is for you to take your seat and ensure you’re on board for this celebratory festival!
Suzanne Rolt Director
Programme
Friday 8 March
7.30pm La Nuova Musica St John Passion
Friday 15 March
7.30pm The Imperfect Pearl A Baroque Music Fairytale
Saturday 16 March
7.30pm Bristol Bach Choir B Minor Mass
Thursday 21 March
1pm Richard Tunnicliffe Bach Cello Suites I
Saturday 23 March
7.30pm Exultate Singers Splendours of Venice
Monday 25 March
12pm Baroque Exploratorium with Tom Service
6pm BBC Radio 3′s A Taste of the Baroque Alexandra Harris
7.30pm Radio 3 Live in Concert Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Tuesday 26 March
11.45am Behind the Scenes with BBC Radio 3
6pm BBC Radio 3′s A Taste of the Baroque Paul Farley
7.30pm Radio 3 Live in Concert Early Opera Company
Wednesday 27 March
1pm Richard Tunnicliffe Bach Cello Suites II
5.15pm Behind the Scenes of Baroque Spring with BBC Radio 3
6pm BBC Radio 3′s A Taste of the Baroque Ed Hollis
7.30pm Radio 3 Live in Concert Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord)
Thursday 28 March
11.45am Behind the Scenes with BBC Radio 3
6pm BBC Radio 3′s A Taste of the Baroque Chloe Aridjis
7.30pm Radio 3 Live in Concert The Harp Consort
Friday 29 March
6pm BBC Radio 3′s A Taste of the Baroque Tessa Hadley
7.30pm Radio 3 Live in Concert BBC Singers
Our special Bristol Baroque Festival brochure is available NOW, pick up a copy from the Box Office or take a look below…