Part of Christmas at The Glasshouse
Part of Royal Northern Sinfonia: Out and about
Thursday 27 November – Kendal & Alnwick
Friday 28 November – Cullercoats & Musselburgh
Saturday 29 November – Redcar & Darlington
Sunday 30 November – Sunderland & Bishop Auckland
Tuesday 2 December – Berwick & Hartlepool
Wednesday 3 December – Newcastle & Richmond
Thursday 4 December – Hexham & Carlisle
Radiant. Glittering. Candlelit magic.
Who’s on stage
The string players of Royal Northern Sinfonia, directed by Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska and special guest Eva Thorarinsdottir, in some of the region’s most beautiful churches and theatres.
What they’re playing
A selection of beautiful, atmospheric pieces carefully chosen to make you feel warm from the inside out on a cold winter’s night.
In concerts directed by Maria, Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau take centre stage while our Principal Viola Michael Gerrard takes the spotlight in Telemann’s Viola Concerto.
Concerts directed by Eva are a feast of French and English Baroque masterpieces by John Dowland, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Marin Marais, with a sprinkle of Italian flair from Antonio Vivaldi.
What you’ll hear in Alnwick, Musselburgh, Sunderland, Darlington, Berwick, Newcastle and Carlisle
Jean-Philippe Rameau La Danse from Les Fêtes d’Hébé
Jean-Marie Leclair Violin Concerto in A Minor
Giuseppe Torelli Christmas Concerto
Henry Purcell Prelude from The Fairy Queen
Henry Purcell Dance Of The Haymakers from The Fairy Queen
Arcangelo Corelli Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 10
Henry Purcell Chaconne from The Fairy Queen
Pietro Locatelli Christmas Concerto
Jean-Philippe Rameau Orage from Platée
Georg Philipp Telemann Viola Concerto
Henry Purcell Entry Dance from The Fairy Queen
George Frideric Handel Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 2
Jean-Philippe Rameau Prologue from Scene 5 of Nais
Maria Wloszczowska director/violin
Michael Gerrard viola
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What you’ll hear in Kendal, Cullercoats, Redcar, Richmond, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool and Hexham
Henry Purcell Rondo from Abdelazer
John Dowland The Earl of Essex Galiard
John Dowland Lachrimae Antiquae
Charles Avison Concerto Grosso No. 5
George Frideric Handel Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 5
Jean-Baptiste Lully March for the Turkish Ceremony from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Marin Marais Muzette
Jean-Philippe Rameau Entrance of Polyhymnia from Les Boréades
Jean-Philippe Rameau Orage from Platée
Marin Marais Rondeau Le Troilleur
Jean-Philippe Rameau Prologue from Dardanus
Antonio Vivaldi Concerto No. 8 from La stravaganza
Giuseppe Torelli Christmas Concerto
Antonio Vivaldi Sinfonia from L’Olimpiade
Eva Thorarinsdottir director/violin
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What’s happening in the music?
Alnwick, Musselburgh, Sunderland, Darlington, Berwick, Newcastle and Carlisle
This concert brings the Baroque world vividly to life – full of dance, drama and dazzling detail. You’ll hear graceful violin lines from Leclair and Corelli, rich festive textures in Torelli and Locatelli’s Christmas Concertos, and the playful precision of Telemann and Handel. Purcell’s music from The Fairy Queen runs through it like a thread – sometimes stately, sometimes rustic, always full of character. And Rameau keeps us on our toes, sweeping from elegant courtly dances to full-blown storms. It’s music that moves – physically, emotionally, and always with a bit of flair.
Kendal, Cullercoats, Redcar, Richmond, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool and Hexham
A rich mix of boldness, beauty and a bit of baroque swagger. These pieces travel from the mournful grace of Dowland’s Lachrimae Antiquae to the punchy playfulness of Lully’s March for the Turkish Ceremony. Along the way, we hear the courtly curves of Purcell and the fire-crackling drama of Rameau. There’s Handel at his most stirring, Vivaldi at his most vivid, and Marais weaving something altogether more intimate. It’s a chance to hear old music that still hits hard – played live, up close, and with bags of heart.
Take a listen
Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen plays a starring role in this year’s winter tour. Here’s Royal Northern Sinfonia and Maria Wloszczowska playing the Chaconne in Hexham Abbey a couple of years ago.
