MUSIC lovers in Nantwich can look forward to a summer’s quality entertainment in St Mary’s Parish Church for free.
The church’s Thursday summer lunchtime concert series starts again next week and will continue throughout the summer until the final performance on August 30.
As in previous years, there will be a variety of concerts featuring professional and amateur musicians, young and old, local and from further afield.
Organiser Tony Metcalfe said: ‘One highlight will be a performance by the Manchester Camerata Ensemble who will appear with support from the borough council on August 23.
‘There is a retiring collection to defer expenses and to contribute to the church’s music fund.‘If it’s anything like last year, there will be good audiences, so why not come along yourself to join them and make sure that the tradition of summer lunchtime concerts in Nantwich continues to be alive and kicking.’
The season will begin and end with a choir concert. On June 14, the church welcomes the University of Warwick Consort, including Ben Hamilton, St Mary’s organ scholar until last year, and on August 30 there will be a concert by the Nantwich Singers.
There will also be solo instrumentalists. On June 21, distinguished violinist Edward Davies makes the trip from Anglesey accompanied by his wife Helen.
Nantwich trumpeter Ian Raisbeck (July 9), cellist Ben Madden (August 9) and the flautist Helen Wilson, (July 26) a woodwind finalist in the last BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, also have slots.
Simon Russell will be giving his first organ recital since being appointed as St Mary’s organist last October (August 16), and there will be a welcome return for the mezzo-soprano Imogen Garner (August 2), who is currently touring with Scottish Opera.
There will be opportunities to hear young musicians from Malbank and Brine Leas schools and scholarship winners from the Chester/Lakewood Colorado Exchange Scheme.
Concerts begin at 12.30pm and last for 45 minutes every Thursday from June 14 to August 30.
