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Three new chamber concertos by composers whose careers are just taking off, performed by Britten Sinfonia and soloists Rakhi Singh (violin), Alexandra Achillea Pouta (mezzo soprano), and Imogen Whitehead (trumpet).

A giant of the jazz improv world, Tim Garland brings together his eclectically-minded trio and Britten Sinfonia for the most ambitious project of his stellar career, at the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Britten Sinfonia and Saffron Walden Choral Society perform a programme of 20th century British music.

Britten Sinfonia and the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, join together to perform Mozart's iconic Requiem.

A programme that cuts to the essence of Dmitri Shostakovich, who died 50 years ago in 2025, and Arvo Pärt, who will be 90. One of them a Soviet composer to the end, the other brought up in the USSR but an exile from Estonia in Berlin from 1980 to 2010.

You’re lying or sitting in a cathedral, looking up at the soaring arches and beautiful ceiling above.

Britten Sinfonia’s Principal Trumpet Imogen Whitehead is the soloist in Hummel’s beloved concerto.

Join us for a musical exploration of reinvention

The St Ceciliatide Festival presents the Stationers' annual Sunday concert, performed by a wind quintet from Britten Sinfonia.

Britten Sinfonia joins the renowned Choir of Westminster Abbey for a performance of Mozart's Mass in C minor.

Following Arts Council England's announcement that in 2023, Britten Sinfonia's regular public funding will be cut by 100%, we've launched the most urgent fundraising appeal in our history. Find out how you can help secure the orchestra's future.

Our aim is to enrich the lives of communities across the East of England. We are collaborative, creating new music with people and not for them, and we celebrate difference in all kinds of contexts.

Mark Jeffries is a lawyer by background and the former senior partner of the national law firm, Mills & Reeve LLP.

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

Our small office team keeps the cogs turning so our players can focus on bringing music to audiences in the East of England and beyond.

Annabel is responsible for delivering all aspects of Britten Sinfonia orchestral production in the UK, and abroad.

Judith ran the Spitalfields Festival in London from 1988 until 2007, and works as an external assessor of National Performing Companies for the Scottish Government.

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.

Fiona McCapra began her career recording for Chandos with the McCapra Quartet.

Described as an artist who “refuses to be defined by a single genre” (The Guardian), Thomas Gould is a violinist with wide-ranging musical interests and a flair for experimentation.

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.

Our Learning & Participation Producer reflects on a pre-Christmas trip to Addenbrooke's

Beatrix Lovejoy is a Canadian-born violinist who has been living and working in London since 1994.

Working across the East of England, we bring moments of joy to patients in hospital, focus and purpose to prison residents, and relief and hope to people living with life-limiting conditions.

For schools

An award-winning graduate of Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, Nicola enjoys a busy and successful freelance performing career.

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.

Our complete recordings

Join one of our membership schemes to support Britten Sinfonia and access priority booking and other benefits.

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.

Suzanne Loze’s early violin studies were with her grandfather, before going on to study with Erika Klemperer at the Guildhall School of Music.

Clare grew up in Letchworth, North Hertfordshire. It was after hearing a professional string quartet perform live at her primary school that she was inspired, aged 8, to begin studying the violin with the quartet’s leader, Anne Macnachten.

Thank you for thinking of leaving a gift to Britten Sinfonia in your will.

Hear about our upcoming events and activities.

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.

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

Meet Crystalla, a multi-genre composer, pianist, singer and conductor with Greek/Cypriot heritage, whose favourite snack is tea and toast. She's one of our Magnum Opus composers for 2023.

Stephen Williams was born in Wales and attended a vast comprehensive school where everyone had the chance to learn a musical instrument.

Benjamin Russell Is Principal Double Bass of the London Mozart Players and a member of the Britten Sinfonia, for whom he regularly plays as guest principal as well as with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and City of London Sinfonia.

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.

02/05/2023

Nicholas Daniel has long been acknowledged as one of the world’s great oboe players, and is one of Britain’s best known musicians.

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

Joy is a founding member of the Haffner Wind Ensemble, with whom she has broadcast and toured widely.

Saturday 18 November, 6.30pm

We sat down for a Q&A with soprano Elizabeth Watts ahead of her upcoming tour with Britten Sinfonia.

Sarah is an active freelance orchestral player working with a wide variety of orchestras nationwide.

Join East Anglia’s resident professional chamber orchestra for a day of strings, woodwind, brass and percussion!

Learning & Participation Director Chris Bell reflects on his first year at Britten Sinfonia and one year since the loss of regular funding from Arts Council England.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Meet Eden, one of our Magnum Opus composers for 2024. Often using limited musical materials, his dense and immersive sound-worlds attempt to draw the ear into the smallest details.

Jacqueline Shave received her formal training at the Royal Academy of Music but drew her particular performance inspiration and her love of chamber music from her time at the Britten Pears School in Snape.

Praised as an “eloquent trumpet soloist” (The Times), Matilda Lloyd captivates audiences with her artistry, communication, and musicality. Her “flawless sound and virtuosic technique” (Saarbrücker Zeitung) bring a unique flair to every performance.

Learning and Participation Coordinator Lauren Hill writes about our recent visits to 15 schools over five days

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

Experience a magical musical journey in your school hall, led by two Britten Sinfonia musicians

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”.

Please donate to help make this exciting recording project happen

Having regularly worked with Britten Sinfonia as Guest Principal Trumpet, Imogen Whitehead was appointed Principal Trumpet in August 2023.

Matthew is a contemporary classical composer and conductor.

Lucy is a violinist and composer currently studying at the Royal College of Music

Joe is a London-based Thai composer and horn player currently studying at King’s College London

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.

Learning and Participation Coordinator Faye Milbourn writes about our first CUH Sounds Residency at Addenbrookes Hospital.

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

Get ready for a magical, musical journey with presenter of 'Tiny Magic Orchestra', Charly Jolly!

Two years after an unwelcome phone call, Meurig Bowen celebrates the orchestra's achievements since then, typified by activity over the last few days.

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

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

“The instruments may be retro but the intent and delivery of this performance was anything but.”

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.