Monday 30 April 2007

En route

So, at last we are en route and our South American tour has begun. We have made it to Madrid! Every orchestral tour is a delicate balance between the comfort of the players and the financial realities of the arts world. So, a direct flight (which, eccentrically, is more expensive) from London to Sao Paulo is not possible. But there is a certain logic travelling via Madrid, an Iberian springboard from the Old World to the New.

The musicians are in good temper and eagerly anticipating the concerts.

This is, for me, my 16th concert tour to Brazil, but it is five years since I was last there - 'saudade' is the untranslatable word which describes the yearning for return. I look forward to keeping you up to date with the tour, with lots of artistic comment!

John Bickley

Wednesday 25 April 2007

South American tour video preview

See two of our players talking about the forthcoming tour.

Tuesday 24 April 2007

Almost there!

We're all getting very excited because the tour is only just around the corner! Come back soon for our first post from South America...

our website

Thursday 12 April 2007

Visit Britten Sinfonia website for tour details

Check out www.brittensinfonia.co.uk/tours/southamerica.html to find out more about the tour. This blogspot will grow day by day as we add on new materials relating to the tour, but do look at our site for all the background information as well.

Tuesday 10 April 2007

Britten Sinfonia (Juan Gonzalez 1)

This is Juan Gonzalez, first violin with Britten Sinfonia. Juan is originally from Venezuela and offers an interesting perspective on touring to South America with a British orchestra.

Britten Sinfonia (Jacqueline Shave 1)

This is Jacqueline Shave, the leader of Britten Sinfonia. Visit Britten Sinfonia's website to see what Jackie says about the trip to South America next month.

Tuesday 3 April 2007

South America Tour, 2-7 May 2007

Britten Sinfonia's first inter-continental tour takes us to three Latin American countries: Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina

Teaming music by South American and British composers with Bach and Stravinsky, the two touring programmes are a typical Britten Sinfonia mix of the old and new. Joanna MacGregor directs the orchestra from the piano in James MacMillan's whirlwind-like second piano concerto (which we premiered with Joanna in 2004) as well as her own arrangements of Egberto Gismonti pieces and Dowland 's heart-rending lute songs. We also play music by Argentinian-born, Jewish composer Osvaldo Golijov.