Britten Sinfonia

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Britten Sinfonia

We're an orchestra with a difference. The results are thrilling!

Instead of being led by a principal conductor, our outstanding musicians take the key artistic decisions themselves - collaboratively and democratically.

21/07/2026

Seen and want to delve further into Greek mythology? Our concert tour is for you.

Charismatic mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston - Mezzo Soprano joins the orchestra in music from three centuries inspired by ancient Greek mythology, bringing the richly complex characters Phaedra, Medea and Ariadne to vivid life. Oh, and Odysseus makes a cameo appearance too!

The stories are tragic, but in the company of acclaimed classicist, author, broadcaster and “reformed comedian” Natalie Haynes: Stand Up Classicist, whose 12th series of "Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics" starts on BBC Radio 4 next week, there will be tears of laughter too...

Book early and get the best seats for just £25 (£12.50 for under 30s):
https://www.brittensinfonia.com/events/britten-sinfonia-ancient-greek-meze-with-special-guest-stand-up-classicist-natalie-haynes

18/06/2026

Blame it on the goddesses...
The divine giving voice to Phaedra's divine excuses for her behaviour in Britten's visceral late micro-opera.

It is wonderful to be back at the Aldeburgh Festival on a couple of sunshine and rainbow-filled days, giving performances with the magnificent .vd.heijden and , both of which have been broadcast live on .

You can listen to both performances on BBC Sounds via the links in our in bio.

16/06/2026

“Children who are sometimes reticent to join in, children who have yet to find their voice, children who are only just starting their musical journey – all were totally immersed in the lead up lessons and then on the performance day.”

We recently premiered a new schools’ concert, The Tale of the Whale, in 25 Peterborough primary schools and 8 in Fenland, before performing it with Gladstone Primary Academy Discovery Primary Academy Hampton Lakes primary William Law CE Primary School and Duke of Bedford Primary School at the city’s Peterborough Celebrates day.

Read teacher Rachel Moorhouse’s blog about the project here: https://www.brittensinfonia.com/stories/schools-project-reaches-33-schools-and-city-celebration-day

Based on author Karen Swann and illustrator Padmacandra’s picture book, the show follows a child and a humpback whale 🐋 on a journey across oceans polluted by plastic, with new music commissioned from Raph Clarkson Music and presented by Sheena Masson.

Thank you to Peterborough Music Hub - PMH Peterborough Cultural Alliance Nene Park Trust Arts Council England Orchestras Live for co-funding the project with us.

03/06/2026

Wonderful to perform James MacMillan's powerful new oratorio, Angels Unawares, last night at after giving the world premiere at Rome's Sistine Chapel with and .
Read Daniel Lewis's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in The Times

˖°📷༘ .allan.photos

18/05/2026

★★★★ - The Guardian. A wonderful start to our performances of Britten, Copland and Bowles at Kings Place on Saturday with soloists Huw Watkins, Elizabeth Watts and Oleg Shebeta-Dragan.

See us at The Apex Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday 19th or The Halls Norwich as part of Norfolk & Norwich Festivalest on Wednesday 20th!

23/04/2026

Between April 1939 and April 1942, Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears enjoyed personally and professionally formative years in North America. Much of the dazzling song cycle Les Illuminations – settings of proto-surrealist poetry by Arthur Rimbaud – was composed early in their stay, and the vigorous Young Apollo for piano and strings premiered in August 1939.

50 years since Britten's death, we perform works of his and his very dear friend and mentor, Copland.

London | 16 May
Bury St Edmunds | 19 May
Norwich | 20 May Norfolk & Norwich Festival

https://www.brittensinfonia.com/events/britten-america-with-elizabeth-watts

17/04/2026

is this the wildest it’s possible to play Rondo Alla Turca?! We’ll see if we can beat it tomorrow 🔥

🫶 We are having a ball on tour with the fantastic and

Last stop is tomorrow, Saffron Hall, Essex. Come along for an encore like no other

16/04/2026

SO much energy and fun in our first concert with and in Norwich last night!

🌀 "It was amazing. I wanted to get up and dance."
🌀 "It's fine going to hear a programme of symphonies and sonatas, but this was something completely special. It's why I follow Britten Sinfonia."

We've got two more stops on the tour - come and experience this Viennese folk/classical mash-up for yourself in London this Friday, or Saffron Hall on Saturday.

14/04/2026

3 new premieres from our Magnum Opus composers 🌅

Toby Anderson - LoveMaxxing

Amy Bryce - Sitting Still (& other failed experiments)

Jonathan Woolgar - Little Ritual

All premiered this Friday at London , 6pm. Tickets are completely free but you need to book.

These are the first pieces premiered as part of this year’s Magnum Opus scheme - come and support our wonderful composers!

🎫 Ticket link in bio

Address

Compass House, 80 Newmarket Road
Cambridge
CB58DZ

Telephone

441223300795

Website

http://www.brittensinfonia.com/

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