International soloists on line-up for 2026-27 season of Ripon’s revered St Cecilia Orchestra
Ripon’s revered St Cecilia Orchestra has some great concerts coming up including appearances from two magnificent virtuoso soloists.
The orchestra, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, has revealed the line-up for its 2026-27 season, including appearances from international soloists Martin Roscoe (piano) and Chloë Hanslip (violin).
Running from October through to June at Ripon Cathedral and Holy Trinity Church, the four concerts showcase a wide variety of composers from Beethoven and Rachmaninov to Gershwin and Shostakovich.
The opening gala concert is an exhilarating programme featuring one of Britain’s most celebrated and best-loved pianists: Martin Roscoe.
A long standing friend and colleague of St Cecilia’s musical director, Xenophon Kelsey, Martin is returning to Ripon to play Gershwin’s lively and rhythmic piano concerto.
Rachmaninov’s ever-popular Symphony No 2 and Bernstein’s sparkling Candide Overture complete the programme.
In the New Year, exceptional violinist Chloë Hanslip will join St Cecilia Orchestra in Beethoven’s mighty violin concerto.
The programme commemorating 200 years since the composer's death culminates in his monumental Symphony No 3: Eroica.
In contrast, April will bring a concert of 20th Century orchestral works including Sibelius Finlandia and Shostakovich Symphony 10, as the orchestra is joined by former Young Musician of the Year brass finalist, trumpeter Will Thomas, in Arutiunian’s iconic trumpet concerto.
The final concert of the season will feature Ripon violinist Chloe Fletcher performing Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending at Holy Trinity church, as well as Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.
Tickets from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/st-cecilia
More information: www.st-cecilia.org.uk