Bampton Classical Opera to host annual festive concert

The concert, in commemoration of the village's patron Saint Beornwald, will take place at St Mary's Church in Bampton on Saturday, December 7, at 7pm.

The programme of music is based around two works by Mozart and Poulenc for piano and wind.

They will be played by artistic director Jeremy Gray and the wind instruments of the orchestra of Bampton Classical.

Artistic director Jeremy Gray (Image: James Rose) The concert will feature Mozart’s Quintet in E flat major for piano and wind and Poulenc’s Trio for oboe, bassoon, and piano.

Mozart’s quintet was considered by the composer to be "the best thing I have written in my life".

Poulenc’s trio, his first major chamber work, is noted for its depth of feeling and youthful verve.

Kieron-Connor Valentine and André Bertoncini, winners of the 2023 Bampton Young Singers’ Competition, will perform songs and arias by the same composers.

Kieron-Connor Valentine (Image: Sisi Burn) The concert will also feature some contrasting light music, including Welsh songs, as well as arias from Mozart's Mitridate, re di Ponto and popular pieces like I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables and White Christmas by Irving Berlin.

The concert will have an interval, and the programme order may change.

Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for those under 18.