It is a real pleasure to be back conducting and playing with The Oxford Sinfonia after my last concert with them in 2010. Having played and directed the Mozart Oboe Concerto on that occasion, it seems a natural development to play and lead Dvorak’s wonderful Serenade for Winds, Op 44 between Rossini’s Italian Girl in Algiers overture and Beethoven’s 7th Symphony. The concert will take place in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, High Street, Oxford on Saturday (16 July) at 7.30pm.

As you can see from its website (www.oxfordsinfonia.co.uk), this is a fine and established orchestra that makes a great contribution to music in Oxford. Their video from the Venice Biennale in 2015 is a good example of their work and vision, which combines adventurous music making with fund-raising for charities. I have enjoyed working with the orchestra very much indeed and look forward to an exciting concert!

Incidentally, my 2010 concert with The Oxford Sinfonia featured Louise Alder singing two arias from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (including Welche Wonne which corresponds to the last movement of the oboe concerto) and Ruhe Sanft from Zaide. It was thrilling to see and hear her starring as Ilia in Garsington Opera’s brilliant production of Idomeneo this month, in a fantastic cast and with exquisite playing from the Garsington Opera Orchestra.

 

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