
Programme 2022 - English Rhapsody
Our 2022 festival marks the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams and the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II performed in the historic churches of London's Square Mile. Click here for information on season tickets.
Tuesday 14 June, 7pm
Festival Evensong in the City
The festival opens with evensong at St Bartholomew the Great celebrating the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams.
Evensong in the City Choir
Sam Bardsley, director
Simon Hogan, organ
Thursday 16 June, 1pm
Piano Recital: Brigg Fair, Peter Grimes and Firebird
Outstanding pianist Thomas Kelly performs a ravishing programme including transcriptions of orchestral pieces by Delius, Britten and Stravinsky.
Thomas Kelly, piano
Saturday 18 June, 7:30pm
RVW150: Symphony No. 5
The Academy of St Mary-le-Bow, perform a programme of English music, including Vaughan Williams's glorious Symphony No. 5. and Elgar's Introduction and Allegro.
The Academy of St Mary-le-Bow
Charlotte Cox, bassoon
Alex Fryer, conductor
Wednesday 22 June, 1pm
Stars of the Yehudi Menuhin School Showcase
The third in a series of three lunchtime recitals showcasing some of world’s finest young talents, exploring repertoire from these shores and beyond. Concert 3: Ireland and Mendelssohn.
Musicians from The Yehudi Menuhin School
Friday 24 June, 7:30pm
Festival Finale
The English Chamber Orchestra performs an enchanting programme of English music for strings, including Vaughan Williams’s celebrated Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and Finzi's Clarinet Concerto with Emma Johnson as soloist.
Emma Johnson, Clarinet
English Chamber Orchestra
Stephanie Gonley, leader/director
Wednesday 15 June, 1pm
In Gloucestershire
Brother Tree Sound String Quartet perform works by Howells and Imogen Holst in the stunning surroundings of St Stephen Walbrook.
Brother Tree Sound, String Quartet
Friday 17 June, 1pm
Stars of the Yehudi Menuhin School Showcase
The first in a series of three lunchtime recitals showcasing some of the world’s finest young talents, exploring repertoire from these shores and beyond. Concert 1: Briget and Saint-Saëns.
Musicians from The Yehudi Menuhin School
Monday 20 June, 1pm
Stars of the Yehudi Menuhin School Showcase
The second in a series of three lunchtime recitals showcasing some of world’s finest young talents, exploring repertoire from these shores and beyond. Concert 2: Vaughan Williams and Beethoven.
Musicians from The Yehudi Menuhin School
Wednesday 22 June, 7pm
RVW150: The Lark Ascending and Piano Quintet
Principal players from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra join pianist Mark Bebbington for a programme of music by Ireland, Finzi and Vaughan Williams.
Mark Bebbington, piano
Players from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Wednesday 15 June, 7pm
Brilliant Brass
Principal brass players from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform an eclectic English programme featuring music by Purcell and Elgar.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet
Friday 17 June, 7:30pm
Essentially English
An evening of fabulous songs embracing Shakespeare sonnets, the English folk idiom and iconic songs by Lesley Bricusse, John Barry, Tony Hatch, and Lennon & McCartney.
Michael Dore, vocalist
Jacqueline Barron, vocalist
John G Smith, piano/md
Eleanor Grant, bass/vocals
Tuesday 21 June, 7:30pm
RVW150: G Minor Mass and Music for the Queen
Hilary Davan Wetton conducts a spectacular programme of choral music including Handel, Vaughan Williams, and Parry with the City of London Choir.
City of London Choir
Hilary Davan Wetton, conductor Richard Gowers, organ
Thursday 23 June, 7pm
English Song
Mezzo-soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons and pianist Lana Bode perform beautiful English songs by composers from Vaughan Williams to Madeline Dring
Marta Fontanals-Simmons, mezzo-soprano
Lana Bode, piano