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Bach’s passiontide masterpiece at Merton College, Oxford.

Inspired by a Viennese pub visited by many 19th-century composers for the folk performances it hosted, Britten Sinfonia and ZRI perform classical music re-imagined for orchestra and folk band.

The Jette Parker Artists shine a light on three women composers: Elizabeth Maconchy, Charlotte Bray and Elena Langer.

Sensuous music with a bright sheen from Britten and Copland.

Works by Britten and Thomas Larcher alongside John Adams' 'Shaker Loops' - a quintessential masterwork of American minimalism.

First heard in 1994, MacMillan’s intense and emotionally-direct Passiontide setting has deservedly become a modern classic.

An evening of obsession, abandonment and absolute fury – with occasional moments of calm. Tales from mythology are set to music from three centuries in this powerful programme.

Music from three centuries inspired by ancient Greek mythology, interspersed with brilliantly insightful and witty commentary from the acclaimed classicist, author, broadcaster and “reformed comedian” Natalie Haynes.

Britten Sinfonia presents an evening of thrilling music by one of the world’s most deservedly popular composers, John Adams, who will turn 80 in 2027, and a composer Adams has championed, Donnacha Dennehy, winner of a 2026 Grammy award.

Join us for a special showcase celebrating Collection Connects, a collaborative and inclusive project led by Britten Sinfonia in partnership with Nene Park Trust.

Open to anyone of any age, with no previous musical experience necessary, this series of workshops brings together adults from the community and young people (including students from Thetford Academy) to co-create an original piece of music inspired by the stories held within the library's walls.

Discover a monumental masterpiece filled with mystery, beauty and breathtaking scale.

Mozart’s duo concerto is one of his grandest, fusing emotional depth, a welter of ideas and the playful sparring of a pair of soloists.

Experience live classical music as you've never imagined it in Britten Sinfonia's spectacular, immersive and welcoming concert format.

Experience live classical music as you've never imagined it in Britten Sinfonia's spectacular, immersive and welcoming concert format.

Meurig is responsible for Britten Sinfonia's artistic, strategic and business planning.

Janis is the Managing Director of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.

Richard Plaskett is a Partner and Head of Investment Companies at Frostrow Capital LLP, a specialist investment companies firm.

Hannah is responsible for booking players for Britten Sinfonia’s concerts.

Sreeja is an Education Consultant and supports young education charities in their journey from a start up to a growth phase.

Emily brings over 20 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer in City of London law firms.

Chris leads on Britten Sinfonia’s Learning & Participation activity, working on projects in community settings, prisons, schools, hospitals, and with people living with dementia.

Elaine is responsible for the financial administration at Britten Sinfonia. Please contact Elaine for any invoice or payment queries.

Shoël leads the marketing and communications work of Britten Sinfonia, working with venues and partners to bring the orchestra's work to as many people as possible.

We are an outstanding collective of musicians who thrive on exceptional music-making, and delivering that to audiences far and wide – both on the concert platform and in the community.

Britten Sinfonia at Addenbrooke's

Violinist and Viola player Clara Biss is as happy playing chamber music on London’s most prestigious stages as she is touring the world with a symphony or chamber orchestra.

Kathy studied violin at the Royal Academy of Music, where she led the String Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra.

Born in the North East of England, Miranda gained a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music with Howard Davis.

Alexandra Caldon graduated in June 2008 with Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music where she completed her Postgraduate Diploma under Erich Gruenberg.

If you're under 35, you can join our family of supporters as a Young Friend for just £35 a year.

Marcus studied the violin at the Dartington College of Arts and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before being appointed a sub-principal violin with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Judith Stowe studied violin at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Becoming a Friend is an affordable way to get involved across the whole range of everything we do.

Choose a member of the orchestra to support from £1,000 per year.

Born in the Rhymney Valley, Rachel Byrt graduated from City University, London with a Bachelor of Science in Sound Engineering. She studied the viola at the Guildhall School of Music with Amanda Stirling, later specialising in baroque and classical period performance, under Michaela Comberti.

Caroline Dearnley studied at the Royal College of Music with Joan Dickson and subsequently with William Pleeth, winning every cello prize.

Joy is very grateful to her local music service for the opportunity to begin cello lessons.

Roger Linley was born in London and began playing the bass guitar at 13.

Emer McDonough is principal flute of Britten Sinfonia and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and is also the flute player for the Haffner Wind Ensemble.

Music for 0-5s and their parents

Sarah O’Flynn pursues a demanding and varied career as a performer and educationalist. She is a founding member of the chamber ensemble Chroma, and has been sub principal flute with Britten Sinfonia since 2006. She also freelances with numerous orchestras throughout the uk, performing and recording in concert halls across the world.

Peter Facer grew up in Hertfordshire, and then attended Girton College Cambridge, where he read music, graduating with a double first class degree.

Oliver Pashley is a young London-based clarinettist and founding member of contemporary quartet The Hermes Experiment.

Simon is Sub-Principal Bassoon of the Britten Sinfonia; and Co-Principal Bassoon of the Orchestra of English National Opera, where Simon has been a member since 1997.

Martin Owen is regarded as one of Europe’s leading horn players, appearing as soloist and chamber musician all around the world.

Britten Sinfonia viola player Bridget Carey writes about her day working with patients and nurses as part of our Music in Hospitals project.

Tom Rumsby studied horn at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Hugh Seenan, Jeff Bryant and Richard Bissill.

Appointed principal of the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2002, Lucy Wakeford is one of the most outstanding harpists of her generation.

Meet Daniel, a composer, sound-artist and performer whose music is influenced by improvisation, technology and eclecticism. He's one of our three Magnum Opus composers for 2023

Huw Watkins was born in Wales in 1976. He studied piano with Peter Lawson at Chetham’s School of Music and composition with Robin Holloway, Alexander Goehr and Julian Anderson at Cambridge and the Royal College of Music.

Britten Sinfonia Chief Executive and Artistic Director Meurig Bowen introduces our programme "Musical Everests: The Year 1953".

Dutch pianist Daria van den Bercken is a multiple prize winning artist. Daria is widely celebrated for her ‘musical affection and an immaculate virtuosity’ (Gramophone), as well as regarded ‘a model for musicians of the future’ (Jury Amsterdam Art Prize).

Stephen Layton is one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation. Often described as the finest exponent of choral music in the world today, his ground-breaking approach has had a profound influence on choral music over the last 30 years.

In 2012 pianist Pavel Kolesnikov became a sensation at the Honens International Piano Competition when he took home the world’s largest piano prize. The London-based pianist was born in Siberia into a family of scientists. He studied both the piano and violin for ten years, before concentrating solely on the piano. Following his Wigmore Hall debut in 2014, The Telegraph gave his recital a rare five-star review and called it “one of the most memorable of such occasions London has witnessed for a while”.

Jonathan was recently appointed Resident Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the London Mozart Players, effective from October 2022. He has swiftly made his mark as a conductor of “accomplished technique, innate musicianship, with a natural rapport with orchestras and a deep knowledge and understanding of the symphonic repertoire” (- Paavo Järvi).

Ahead of our BBC Proms appearance on 6 September, writer Jessica Duchen interviews Britten Sinfonia leader Thomas Gould about directing performances from the violin rather than having a conductor.

Following a historic performance together at Rome's Sistine Chapel, we talk to soprano Elizabeth Watts ahead of our May 2026 collaboration, Britten in America

Britten Sinfonia and Mahan Esfahani embark on an ambitious cycle of complete Bach keyboard concertos.

On a break while out on the on road, criss-crossing the East of England, Learning and Participation Director Chris Bell takes stock of the team’s work in November and December.

Britten Sinfonia showcases the works of composer Laurence Osborn, as part of a series of 'portrait concerts' at Wigmore Hall.

Elizabeth Watts performs with Britten Sinfonia in our season opening tour, as well as in a series of concerts and workshops as part of our Thetford Community Residency.

In February 2024, Selaocoe joins Britten Sinfonia to perform John Tavener’s intensely beautiful The Protecting Veil.

Meet Anibal, a Chilean composer based in London, whose multifaceted career spans concert music, music for media, and multidisciplinary projects. He is one of our Magnum Opus composers for 2024.

Britten Sinfonia's CEO and Artistic Director makes the case that his dark psychological portrait of Gesualdo is a masterpiece.

In 2024, Goldscheider premieres Huw Watkins’ Horn Concerto with Britten Sinfonia.

Ahead of our 11 May Renaissance Modern's concert, Meurig Bowen gives his thoughts on Werner Herzog's idiosyncratic "documentary", Gesualdo: Death for Four Voices

Guy Johnston and Britten Sinfonia tour Tavener's "The Protecting Veil" in February

Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter and composer Chris Thile is described by The Guardian as “that rare being: an all-round musician who can settle into any style, from bluegrass to classical.”

Throughout an international career starting in the late 1980’s, Tim Garland has become known as a unique polymath in the UK’s music scene.

Lisa O’Neill has quietly built a reputation for herself on the Irish and international scenes and now has a growing following with her unique folk sound, strong song-writing and distinctive voice.

Meet Alex, a composer and curator working across contemporary classical and electronic music. He is one of our Magnum Opus composers for 2024.

We work in partnership with schools and Music Education Hubs across the east of England to embed high quality performances and participatory opportunities as part of students' academic journey.

Experience the magic of live music with this interactive performance in your school

Suzie Collier is a conductor, violinist and educator, based in London, UK.

We are very excited to share our new production, Geoffrey Gets the Jitters, with families and in schools around the East of England.

Folk collaborations, reflections on nature and climate change, and a celebration of contemporary voices

Britten Sinfonia tour with Stevens & Pound and Robert MacFarlane in January 2026

Britten Sinfonia performs Bach's Christmas Oratorio with Polyphony & Steven Layton in December 2025

Britten Sinfonia and Tenebrae perform James MacMillan’s great Passion meditation, Seven Last Words from the Cross.

Aris is one of six selected Opus 1 composers for 2025

Sooji Seol is one of six Opus 1 composers selected for 2025

South-African born Zoë Beyers has established a reputation as one of the finest and most versatile violinists based in the UK, and performs worldwide as soloist, chamber musician, director and orchestral leader. She is the newly announced leader of Britten Sinfonia.

Inspired by the book written by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith and published by Templar. Music by Paul Rissmann and animation by Victor Craven. Presented by Jessie Grimes.

Owen first played with Britten Sinfonia over 20 years ago, enjoying the diverse programme and the fact that there are good gigs in East Anglia where he is from! When not playing Owen is either with his family, driving or surfing.

Ahead of our Britten in America tour visiting London, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich 16-20 May, Meurig Bowen explores the impact of the constant flow of creative people Benjamin Britten encountered during his 1939-42 stay in North America on the composer's superb works from this time.

Ahead of our Britten in America tour visiting London, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich 16-20 May, Meurig Bowen explores the impact of the constant flow of creative people Benjamin Britten encountered during his 1939-42 stay in North America on the composer's superb works from this time.

Arts Council England touring grant enables spectacular, immersive concerts in five cathedrals this autumn