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Music in Durham

Previews

Personal previews about things I’m going to see, or things I’d like to see. For full event listings, please see the what’s on page.

End of term concerts

Durham University’s musical groups are gearing up for their end of term concerts, and as usual we’re spoilt for choice, with music ranging from much loved baroque masterpieces to the excitement of brand new works.

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Concert previews – Winter 2015

The listings are gradually coming in for the next few months, and based on what I have so far, this winter’s concerts are dominated by early music treats courtesy of Musicon and a particularly rich choice of organ recitals at Ushaw College, Hatfied College and Durham Cathedral. Durham’s local musicians have lots going on too, with music spanning 500 years from John Sheppard to John Dankworth and so far the students have told me about Mozart and Bach.

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Handel’s forgotten hit

A preview of English Touring Opera’s Ottone which comes to Durham in November, and in which I get to write about two of my passions in one go – Handel opera and Byzantine history.

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Fly me to the moon

English Touring Opera bring Haydn’s sci-fi comic opera “Life on the Moon” to the Gala in November – I’ve been finding out a bit more about it, and it looks as it it’s going to be lots of fun.

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Summer music in Durham

My round up of Durham’s summer concerts; end of year concerts by student ensembles, and concerts by local groups. From huge orchestral fireworks, to intimate chamber music and beautiful choral works, there’s plenty to choose from.

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ETO – King Priam

English Touring Opera bring their award winning production of Tippett’s King Priam to the Gala next week. Read my preview and watch ETO’s trailer here – then book your ticket, because this looks like something not to be missed.

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Messiah

Do you remember your first Messiah?

On Saturday I’ll be going to hear Durham County Youth Choir singing Messiah in Durham Cathedral. I expect quite a few of the younger members of the choir will be singing their first Messiah, and so that got me thinking about how exciting it is to sing it for the first time, and then each time after that too…

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