Programme to include:

Holst – St Paul’s Suite

Purcell – Trio of songs: If Music be the Food of Love, Ah! How Sweet & Music for a While

Vaughan Williams – Five Mystical Songs

Roderick Williams is one of the UK’s most sought-after baritones and is constantly in demand on the concert platform and in recital, encompassing repertoire from the baroque to world premieres.

Opera engagements have included major roles at leading opera houses worldwide including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera, Dutch National Opera, Dallas Opera, the Bregenz Festival and Oper Köln.

Celoniatus Ensemble
Harriet Mackenzie – violin/director

From the West End to Grand Opera, join us for an unforgettable performance of your favourite showstoppers featuring a West End superstar with appearances in Phantom and Les Mis, alongside award-winning singer Rachel Roper (MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year, Glyndbourne Jerwood Artist, Kathleen Ferrier Awards Finalist 2026). All this, with magical, sweeping string accompaniment from the internationally-renowned Celonatius Ensemble.

With two separate sittings to choose from – 2 one hour concerts at 6pm and 8pm – you can design your perfect evening. Hear hit numbers from “Phantom”, “Les Mis”, “The Sound of Music” and more!

From the West End to Grand Opera, join us for an unforgettable performance of your favourite showstoppers featuring a West End superstar with appearances in Phantom and Les Mis, alongside award-winning singer Rachel Roper (MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year, Glyndbourne Jerwood Artist, Kathleen Ferrier Awards Finalist 2026). All this, with magical, sweeping string accompaniment from the internationally-renowned Celonatius Ensemble.

With two separate sittings to choose from – 2 one hour concerts at 6pm and 8pm – you can design your perfect evening. Hear hit numbers from “Phantom”, “Les Mis”, “The Sound of Music” and more!

A Thousand Midwinters
Celoniatus Ensemble Harriet Mackenzie – soloist/director
Keele University Chapel A candlelit winter concert
As the nights draw in, join the Celoniatus Ensemble in the warmth of Keele University Chapel for A Thousand Midwinters a candlelit evening of seasonal music led by international violinist Harriet Mackenzie. The programme weaves together Baroque masterpieces, reimagined carols, and contemporary reflections on winter, performed by an ensemble praised for its “freshness and dynamicism… breath‑taking virtuosity, imagination and intelligence.”
Programme:
Corelli – Christmas Concerto I Vivace II Grave III Allegro IV Adagio – Allegro – Adagio V Vivace VI Pastorale ad libitum
Holst (arr. Harriet Mackenzie) – In the Bleak Midwinter
Bach – Double Concerto in D minor BWV 1043 I Vivace II Largo III Allegro
Interval
Coventry Carol, 16th‑century English carol (arr. Harriet Mackenzie)
French carols – Il est né; Noël Nouvelet
Piazzolla – Winter
Vivaldi – Winter
About Celoniatus
Founded by Harriet Mackenzie in 2016 and named after her 1730 Italian violin, the Celoniatus Ensemble brings together international prize‑winners, orchestral leaders and acclaimed chamber musicians. Their performances across the UK and Europe, including broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. have earned a reputation for bold programming, expressive playing and artistic excellence.