Past events - 2019 - 2020


'Music at Lunchtime' had planned events at the New Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings All were intended to be presented as part of Bromsgrove Festival 2020
Regrettably, as with many arts performances, all the events below were postponed, owing to the coronavirus pandemic

Original date 24 Jun 2020, but postponed to 2021	'Quirkish Delight' - Actor/singer and pianist Michael Lunts - Returning for his sixth time - always to full audiences - Michael serves up for your delectation a confection of deliciously witty comedy songs. The entertainment is timeless, quintessential musical cabaret, drawing on the very finest comedy songs in the English language, from both sides of the Atlantic, from Tom Lehrer to Noël Coward, Cole Porter to Flanders and Swann. To mark VE Day, Michael will include some of the comedy songs made famous by ENSA, the wartime entertainment troupe, who spent the war 'fighting for a laugh', while keeping up the spirits of a country fighting for its survival. Michael Lunts' website
Original date 1 Jul 2020, but postponed to 2021	'Hush!' - Papagena - We are privileged to be able to present the five world-class, stunning voices of Papagena. They have been live on BBC Radio 3 and guests on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour. They have performed to full audiences across the country and at The Three Choirs Festival in 2019. These five voices deserve a full audience again at Festive Classics, as they had such rapturous appreciation on the last two occasions. Even if you think this is not quite your style of music, you cannot avoid being in awe of the flawless perfection of their sound - without props, microphones, fuss or gimmicks. Papagena's website
Original date 8 Jul 2020, but postponed to 2022	'Mozart's Gran Partita' - The Orchestra of St John Chamber Ensemble - Mozart's Serenade No. 10 for winds in B♭ major, K.361/370a is popularly known as the Gran Partita, although that original misspelling was not in Mozart's handwriting. This wonderful serenade in seven movements has been called Mozart's most innovative instrumental work. It shows off an astonishing variety of tones and textures for its 13 players, contrasting styles against each other and constantly changing the musical effects in this largest of all the composer's wind masterpieces. It is no wonder that this is a favourite of Mozart enthusiasts, and is often performed with a contrabassoon instead of a double bass - as will happen on this occasion. The concert will even include the wind version of Mozart's Così fan tutte Overture, as an extra indulgence. Orchestra of St John's website
Original date 15 Jul 2020, but postponed to a future date	'A Touch of Brass' - Holborne Brass Ensemble - Members of this well-known Midlands brass group have performed with many notable orchestras such as the English Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Symphony Orchestra, the CBSO and other ensembles such as the Black Dyke, Foden's and Desford brass bands. Within just a few years of being formed - in 1985 - the ensemble was a finalist in the prestigious Royal Overseas League Competition for young professionals in London. Although classically-trained musicians, they play in a range of musical genres, including orchestral, theatre, brass band, big band and jazz. The group maintains its eclectic approach to performance and, whilst the music content of their performances is of the highest standard, the humorous aspect is never far away. They will be presenting a high-quality and entertaining programme in their own, inimitable style. Holborne Brass Ensemble's website