HIGHLIGHT 
The Sessions at Sessions House

Sessions House is one of Ely’s lesser known venues, but it throws open its doors to host a series of intimate lunchtime concerts across the duration of the Festival. See emerging classical musicians from esteemed institutions The Royal Academy of Music,Guildhall School of Music & Drama, The Royal College of Music, The Royal Welsh College of Music and of course, King’s Ely!

Monday 17th June

Duo Tanwen - Flute and Harp (Royal Academy of Music)

Chatteris born Bonnie Scott (harp) and Ruby Howells (flute) formed Duo Tanwen after more than a decade of friendship, when both were accepted to study at the Royal Academy of Music in 2020. Since then, they have performed in venues such as the Henry Wood Room and the Duke’s Hall. The duo covers a wide range of repertoire, and is particularly passionate about programming music from women composers and those from under-represented backgrounds. 

Wednesday 19th June

Joan Furió Vivas - Classical Guitar (Guildhall School of Music & Drama) 

Joan Furió Vivas has performed as a soloist across Europe and the US, in venues such as the Milton Court Concert Hall, the Eduard Toldrà Auditorium at Conservatori Municipal de Música de Barcelona, St. James Picadilly, Valencia’s Oceanografic or The Bitter End in New York City, in concert series such as Festival de Música Religiosa de Vic, Festival de Música de Rialp, Dijous Concert (CMMB), Barnes Music Festival, Strings @ Eight (GSMD) or for the British Spanish Society.

Recent highlights include his debut with orchestra, playing the Malcolm Arnold Guitar Concerto with the Silk Street Sinfonietta conducted by Antoine Veillerette in London. 

Joan holds a First Class Bachelor of Music from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he is

presently a scholar completing his Master’s with Robert Brightmore and Sean Shibe. He won the chamber and solo honorific prizes at Barcelona’s Conservatoire, where he studied with Joan Furió Navarro.

Friday 21st June 

Kapau Brass (Royal College of Music) 

KAPAU Brass is a brass trio (trumpet, French horn and trombone) based in London. Katie, Amadea and Pau met in 2019 whilst studying for their performance degrees at the Royal College of Music, eventually graduating with honours in 2023. They are currently studying a postgraduate course at the same institution while they work as freelance musicians for some of the best orchestras in the country, such as the LSO, Philharmonia Orchestra, RPO or BBC Symphony Orchestra. The trio was created as a result of their shared passion for live music making and the opportunity to show what the combined sounds of the three instruments can be like. Their repertoire is diverse and experimental, spanning from their own arrangements of popular tunes to Baroque forms and 20th century chromaticism.

Monday 24th June

King’s, Ely

A mix of solo and ensemble performances from the talented musical pupils at King's Ely. 

Wednesday 26th June

Duo Fisarco - Accordion & Violin

Duo Fisarco is a classical accordion and violin duo, comprising accordionist Ben de Souza and violinist Chloë Meade. Formed in 2017 while students at the Royal Academy of Music, the duo has recently returned to the performing circuit after a pandemic-enforced hiatus. Recent duo engagements include performances for the Friends of Newbury Spring Festival, Bach to Baby, Mini Classics, Salisbury Chamber Music Club, Clare Hall Cambridge, and The New Room Bristol. Ben and Chloë's respective careers also encompass solo, chamber and orchestral playing, as well as teaching, coaching, and conducting work.

Duo Fisarco's repertoire includes original and transcription works by composers including Schnittke, Elgar, Piazzolla, Hermosa, Koppel and Mozart. They also often intersperse programmes with solo pieces on both instruments.

Friday 28 June

Skadi Quartet (Royal Welsh College of Music)

Donations welcomed to support the performers (recommended donation £4)