Past performers 2006-2021

Wishing all our supporters a Happy New Year, we look back at the growing list of illustrious performers we have been priviliged to host, while looking forward to good times ahead!

Adrian Bradbury | Adriano Graziani | Aiso Quartet | Alessandra Testai | Alex Metcalfe | Amanda Pitt | Ann Beilby | Anthony Zerpa-Falcon | Archaeus String Quartet | Archduke Trio | Barbirolli Quartet | Bérengère Mauduit | Bethany Horak-Hallett | Callum Smart | Cambridge Taverner Choir | Cantabile | Cellists of the RPO | Charles Wiffen | Chelys Viol Consort | Chris Hatt | Chris Parsons | Christopher Sayles | Clio Gould | Daniel Auchinloss | David Chatterton | David Campbell | Daniel Edgar | Daniel Grimwood | Daniel Tong | David Owen-Norris | David Maw | David Owen Norris | Decimus Consort | Diane Moore | Dominic Bowe | Dulcinea Quartet | Eboracum Baroque | Eleanor Alberga | Ellen Smith | Emma Halnan | English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble | Felicity Lott | Felix Buser | Fiona Brown | Florian Stortz | Follia | Frances Yonge | Gary Branch | Gerald Finley | Giles Davies | Gilfillan family | Greg Tassell | Guy Johnstone | Hugh Webb | Ibrahim Aziz | Jamie McVinnie | Jane Gomm | Jennifer Snapes | Jenny Vizinet | Jonathan Ayling | Jong-Gyung Park | Joseph Wolfe | Julian Broughton | Julius Drake | Karen Jones | Karina Lucas | Kate Andrews | Kate Semmens | Katharine Johns | Katie Stillman | Kokoschka Trio | Konevets Quartet | Ken Aiso | King Charles Singers | Lianna Jeffrey | Liz Partridge | London Bridge Ensemble | Marcus Andrews | Mark Chambers | Margaret Faultless | Marie-France Ouellet | Marie-Noelle Kendall | Martin Bloor | Martin Fogel | Masahiro Yamaguchi | Matchbox Opera | Merry Opera | Michael Bacon | Michael Collins | Michael Grant | Michael McHale | Miriam Cox | Mirriam Teppich | Nigel Clayton | Oliver Davies | Owen Rees | Paul Clark | Paul Jeffrey | Paul Guinery | Pentagon Ensemble | Peter Arnold | Peter Barker | Rachel Godsill | Rachel Stroud | Rachel Threlfall | Raphael Wallfisch | Richard Egarr | Richard Uttley | Robert Gibbs | Robin Jeffrey | Rory Carver | Roselyne Martel-Bonnal | Rose Trio | Royal Tunbridge Wells Male Voice Choir | Ruairi Bowen | Ruth Beedham | St Andrews University Madrigal Group | Sam Haywood | Sara Lois Cunningham | Sarah Stuart-Pennink | Sasha Grynyuk | Schubert Ensemble | Simon Lane | Sophia Lisovskaya | Steve Pierce | Steven Devine | Temenos Chamber Choir | Teresa Caudle | Tim Gill | Tim Lines | Tom Bowes | Tom Foster | Tom Lilburn | Trajecti Voices | Trevor Eliot Bowes | Trio Lavolta | Tristan Gurney | Twilight Ensemble | Unexpected Opera | William Bass | William Summers | Yeo Yat Soon | Yukiko Shinohara

Handel's Messiah: a repeat of an unforgettable evening

Saturday 4 December, 7:00pm

The standing ovation at the end of Handel's Messiah, when we performed it in the church under the direction of Steven Devine three years ago, remains one of the most electrifying moments we've experienced at Music at King Charles. And when Steven asked the players and singers to come and do it again, they all agreed immediately. 

Now, after the pandemic's interruption, it's back.

This is a small-scale performance, with about 14 players and 16 singers, perfectly suited to the size of the building. It's intimate and full of energy, with a narrative drive that's gripping and authentic. 

Please buy tickets early to avoid disappointment! Available from ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw

Michael McHale piano recital - change of time

We're thrilled to host a lunchtime recital by Wigmore Hall artist Michael McHale on Saturday 23 October.

Please note that the start time has changed to 12:40pm. Doors open 12:30.

Expected duration: one hour.

Ticket information.

Michael McHale is one of the most impressive rising-star talents in the music world. Whether he is performing at Wigmore Hall or at the BBC Proms or around the UK and Ireland or in Suntory Hall, Tokyo or across USA concert halls, Michael’s beautiful playing has a heart-warming quality that has touched his many worldwide admirers. His one hour recital will encompass music by Beethoven (Sonata in C minor op.13 “Pathetique”, Debussy (Estampes 11. La Soiree dans Grenade; Jardins sous la pluie), Field (Nocturne N0.10 in E minor; Nocturne No.5 in B flat), Chopin (Nocturne in E flat op.9 no.2), Liszt (Rigoletto “paraphrase de concert”). So, whether shopping, visiting or heading to lunch in RTW, do take in this one hour musical “tour de force” and head away with a spring in your step!

Chelys Viol Consort: music made for King Charles

The Chelys Consort

Saturday 16 October, 7pm

Come and hear music that was made for this venue, the 17th century church of King Charles the Martyr. The music is as exquisute and elegant as the architecture. And it's the kind of music that would have been very familiar to King Charles himself, as well as the people who frequented the walks to take the water in the early days of Tunbridge Wells.

Ticket information here

Ibrahim Aziz, Alison Kinder – treble viols
Kate Conway, Sam Stadlen – tenor viols
Harry Buckoke, Jenny Bullock – bass viols

Ibrahim writes: "This concert explores the repertory for a ‘chest of viols’, which was a term used in the 16th and 17th centuries in England to denote either a consort of six viols, or a cabinet specially made for them. Thomas Mace, in his Musick’s Monument (1676) wrote that “a good chest of viols” should contain “2 Basses, 2 Tenors, 2 Trebles, all truly proportionally suited”. Our programme tonight showcases the repertoire that might have been played in a 17th century English household fortunate enough to afford such a collection of instruments, players and music."

Ticket information here

Described by Gramophone as having released 'unquestionably the most beautiful recording of the Lachrimae', Chelys have garnered a reputation for their faithful yet fresh interpretations of the consort repertoire. They take their name from an ancient Greek word which referred to a bowed lyre, said to have been invented by the god Hermes. The word was borrowed by the English violist Christopher Simpson on the title page of his treatise 'The Division Viol' when he translated the work into Latin.

Fabulous Fables: Sunday 10 October 3:30pm

We're very excited to present an entertaining Sunday afternoon concert, with opera singer Bérengère Mauduit (mezzo-soprano) and Jenny Vizinet (piano).

Come and hear stories told in song, based on Aesop's fables, with music by Offenbach, Gounod, Lecocq, Viardot and Caplet. Recommended for families especially, but entertaining for all!

Expected duration: 50 minutes

Booking information

Born in France, Bérengère Mauduit has trained at the English National Opera (Opera Works Programme) and Marseilles Opera Studio. She went on to join the chorus at Glyndebourne Festival Opera for several seasons while developing an international solo career. Her main roles include Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte (Dorset Corset), Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (Avignon Opera and as cover for Welsh National Opera), Hänsel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel in Bordeaux, an apprentice in Wagner’s Die Meistersinger for Glyndebourne (Original 2011 production and 2015 revival), 3rd Lady in Co-Opera-Co’s Magic Flute, Sister Mathilde in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites (opéra de Nice), Mercédès (Carmen) and Nicklausse ( The Tales of Hoffmann) for Brasov Opera House, Romania. Mauduit trained as a teacher before embracing a musical profession and her passion for education has never gone away. In 2017 she trained in workshop leadership with the Royal Opera House and English National Opera and is currently engaged in research with King’s College, London, to try and develop a combined approach to languages and music in schools. She is an award winner of the Solti Foundation and Mario Lanza Trust. 

Jennifer Vizinet holds a BA Hons degree in music from the University of York as well as a post-graduate diploma in piano accompaniment from the Royal Academy of Music. She was awarded the Meaker Fellowship and a Masters of Performance with Distinction from The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is a staff accompanist at Guildhall School of Music and Dance and pianist for the Royal Academy of Dance.

Booking now open for Autumn recitals

We look forward to welcoming you to our Autumn concerts, organised in partnership with the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival.  

Joseph Wolfe

Tickets are now available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw

Thursday 16 September, 7pm – TIER 3: Joseph Wolfe (violin), Jonathan Ayling (cello), Daniel Grimwood (piano)
Beethoven Op.97, 'Archduke' Trio; Tchaikosky piano trio Op.50 
See the TIER 3 website for more information.

Saturday 9 October, 6pm – Organ recital by Fiona Brown
music from the 17th to the 20th century, including Bach, Franck, Mendelssohn and Messiaen. [Retiring collection only]

Bérengère Mauduit & Jenny Vizinet

Sunday 10 October, 3:30pm – Fabulous Fables: family afternoon concert
Bérengère Mauduit (mezzo-soprano) and Jenny Vizinet (piano) present a concert of French music on Aesop's fables, with music by Offenbach, Gounod, Lecocq, Viardot and Caplet. 

Saturday 16 October, 7pm – The Chelys viol consort
Consort Music for Six Viols: An exploration of 16th and 17th century repertory for viol consort from Tallis to Purcell.
Find out more about the Chelys here.

Further programme details will be added in due course. Advance booking is recommended.

Chelys Consort

Advance notice of concerts this autumn

We're excited by the prospect of hosting concerts this autumn, hopefully without too many restrictions on numbers and in a safe and happy environment!

Here's what we have planned so far. 

Thursday 16 September, 7pm – TIER 3: Joseph Wolfe (violin), Jonathan Ayling (cello), Daniel Grimwood (piano) 
Beethoven Op.97, 'Archduke' Trio; Tchaikosky piano trio Op.50

Saturday 9 October – Organ recital by Fiona Brown: music from the 17th to the 20th century, including Bach, Franck, Mendelssohn and Messiaen.

Sunday 10 October, 3:30pm – Fabulous Fables: family afternoon concert
Bérengère Mauduit (soprano) and Jenny Vizinet (piano) present a concert of French music on Aesop's fables, with music by Offenbach, Gounod, Lecocq, Viardot and Caplet.

Saturday 16 October, 7pm – The Chelys viol consort

More details will be posted soon.

Summer concerts

Latest...  The recital by pianist Sam Haywood on 30 June is now SOLD OUT.

Follow this link for booking information for all our concerts.

Coming up, as part of the TW Fringe Festival...

Thursday 15 July, 7pm
Celebrated piano duo Jong-Gyung Park and Anthony Zerpa-Falcon present an exciting programme of classical favourites: Holst: Planets Suite (selection), Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, Beethoven: Symphony No.5

Saturday 17 July, 7pm
An English Song Recital: Felix Kemp (baritone) and Mark Packwood (piano) Vaughan Williams Songs of Travel. With music by Ivor Gurney, Peter Warlock and more.

Booking information.

Covid restrictions
Regrettably, we can only make a limited number of seats available to allow for social distancing, and face coverings will need to be worn. There will be no interval or refreshments. Each performance will last approximately one hour. However, we do have live music!

Sam Haywood piano recital: 30 June

Wednesday 30 June 7pm, Sam Haywood (piano)

Book tickets here

Join Sam Haywood for a unique musical adventure, 'Old Friends and New', on which you'll encounter some of the most beloved piano works (by Schubert, Rachmaniniff, Beethoven and Chopin) alongside rare and beautiful miniatures by women composers. 

The pieces will be performed in pairs, carefully chosen to complement each other. The programme includes the World Premier of 'Rain', a passionate and compelling work by the Czech composer Jelena Pouliçková. 

Sam Haywood has performed to critical acclaim in many of the world’s major concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Philhamonie de Paris, Vienna Konzerthaus and Wigmore Hall. He embraces a wide spectrum of the piano repertoire and is equally at home as a soloist, chamber musician or with accompanying Lieder. Regular chamber music partners have included Joshua Bell and Steven Isserlis.