Hall Two, Kings Place

CarmenCo is Emily Andrews, flute and mezzo soprano and guitarists David Massey and Francisco Correa.



Formed in 2017, prizewinning trio CarmenCo have performed all over England, Scotland and Wales, honing their distinctive approach and performing their own arrangements of orchestral pieces, opera, folk and world music. They often perform from memory and incorporate movement, dance and storyline into their concerts, as well as varying instrumentation from solo guitar through to voice/flute and two guitars, making their concerts and shows as unique and colourful as the players in the trio.



A seamless amalgamation of classical music, theatre and comedy, CarmenCo’s “A Pocket Opera” is a performance of Spanish-inspired guitar chamber music presented as a play, with costumes, props and a storyline which roughly follows the
story of Bizet’s opera Carmen, but told from her point of view. Dare you consult the cards with her? What does she think of the men in her story? Did she foresee her gruesome ending? And does she like the opera Bizet wrote about her?


Old Seville is conjured by favourite numbers from Bizet’s popular opera Carmen combined with repertoire from Tarrega, Boccherini, Albeniz, Ravel, Garcia-Lorca and Falla, all skilfully arranged by the trio for all combinations of 2 guitars and flute or voice.



CarmenCo will have the audience in turn laughing out loud, and listening with absolute silence to the immersive and evocative music. It’s a brilliantly accessible and fun way to present classical music.



The three musicians perform entirely from memory, enabling them to act with each other, and to engage the audience members in the show, frequently walking amongst them and involving audience members in the dialogue. They even dance while playing, in a fully choreographed party scene which wows audiences.
 


‘A buffet of musical morsels, served with an infectious mixture of respectful reverence and impish send-up; an evening that will linger long in the memory. In short – unique.’
 Carlisle Music Society review, September 2024



‘A simply fantastic show: surprising, hilarious, and moving. Get a ticket at all costs – a great evening out’
Stephen Goss, composer, Royal Academy of Music professor



‘A playful and well-crafted performance with a depth of exceptional musical talent that audiences both respect and adore’ 
Ed O’Driscoll, Executive Director of AIRin G (the rural touring scheme in Gloucestershire)

Hall One, Kings Place

Biréli Lagrène is one of the greatest guitar virtuosos in any style of music. A prodigy of the instrument, he started out at as Gypsy guitar wizard.  Later he developed a highly distinctive and innovative style, drawing much praise for his fertile blend of swinging continental jazz, post-bop, fusion and rock.

He has collaborated with such legendary players as Stéphane Grappelli, Ginger Baker, Al di Meola, Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin and countless others. Given that roster of top collaborators one might mistakenly assume that Lagrène is quite advanced in years, but this is not the case; the fact is, he was drawn to the guitar as a child of four, and after auditioning at the intermission, was invited onstage with Grappelli for the second half – when he was only ten years old. When his Routes to Django: Live was issued in 1980, the 13-year-old jazz guitarist was immediately praised by critics as a protégé of Django Reinhardt. He had already won a prize in a festival at Strasbourg in 1978, and his appearance at a Gypsy festival was broadcast on television. He soon broadened his approach, exploring a wide variety of jazz from Wes Montgomery to Jimi Hendrix and got recording with some of modern jazz’s biggest names.

Renowned for his virtuosic performances and jazz improvisational skills, Biréli has produced numerous albums and toured the world, collaborating with exceptional musicians such as Jaco Pastorius, Jean Luc Ponty, Lenny White, Victor Bailey, Philip Catherine, Didier Lockwood, Larry Coryell and many others. He even replaced Eric Clapton during the temporary reformation of the legendary band Cream. Throughout the years, he has never ceased to impress the world with his unequalled virtuosity and astonishing rhythmic accuracy.

This is Biréli’s only performance in the UK, a unique opportunity you cannot miss!

‘One of the most remarkable guitar players on the planet.’ London Jazz News

Hall One, Kings Place

Ana Vidovic’s performances include recitals, concerto engagements and festival appearances in most of Europe’s cultural destinations and major concert venues in Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen; and many cities in Germany, London, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Salzburg, Vienna, Warsaw and Zagreb. Her tours have also taken her to Australia, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Spain. Equally impressive is her recording career which includes a new release by Octave Records, a live performance with works by Bach, Giuliani, Mangore, Scarlatti and Sor.

She has won an impressive number of prizes and international competitions including first prizes in the Albert Augustine International Competition in Bath, England, the Fernando Sor competition in Rome and the Francisco Tarrega competition in Spain. In Croatia, Ana has performed with the Symphony Orchestra of the Croatian Radio and Television, as well as having been featured in three television documentaries by the eminent Croatian film director Peter Krelja. Ana Vidovic started playing at age 5 and became the youngest student at age 13 to attend the National Musical Academy in Zagreb where she studied with Professor Istvan Romer. This led to her being invited to study with Manuel Barrueco at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory.

Hall Two, Kings Place

Vladislav Bláha was described by Musical Opinion as one of the very finest of Czech guitarists. He was the first guitarist from the Czech Republic to play at Carnegie Hall (NY) as well as the Royal Festival Hall at London’s Southbank Centre. He has performed in over 50 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. He is the winner of 4 major international guitar Competitions as well as the bronze medal at the Radio France Guitar Competition in Paris. New music is very important to him as is evidenced by no less than 30 composers from 17 different countries having dedicated work to him including Léo Brouwer, Jorge Morel, John Duarte, Francis Kleynjans and Nikita Koshkin. He has recorded 13 CDs and has played for radio and television in many countries. He is Professor of guitar at the Janacek Academy of Music Brno as well as at the Brno Conservatoire and in is the President of the Czech Classical Guitar Society and the International Guitar Festival Brno.

His partner in the Due Corde Brillanti is Tania Drobysh, an outstanding performer on mandolin, guitar and domra (a long-necked Belarusian, Russian, and Ukrainian folk string instrument). She was born in Prague in the Czech Republic and went on to study at the Minsk State College of Music Mikhail Glinka as well as the Belarusian State Academy of Music before returning to the Czech Republic where she formed a highly successful duo with Vladislav Bláha.

St Pancras Room, Kings Place

Gonçalo Maia Caetano is a classical guitarist from Pinhel, Portugal, currently finishing his Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music with professor Michael Lewin.



Gonçalo has won over 10 international competitions, the most important prize being The Prince’s Prize, from The Musician’s Company. Other important awards include scholarships for his studies from The Countess of Munster Musical Trust, The Craxton Memorial Trust, Help Musicians, The Musicians’ Company and the Royal Academy of Music.



Showing his versatility, in 2020 Gonçalo joined the Phemo Quartet as a Bass player and they have performed in well known venues such as the Vortex Jazz Club and Kings Place. Later this year, the quartet will release their first album Anti-Revelation.

Programme includes world premiere performances of new IGF commissioned work by two brilliant young composers: Laila Arafah and Ashkan Layegh.


The Fika Duo was formed in September 2023 by guitarist Zoë Meadowcroft and flautist Emma Lörstad in their first year at the Royal Academy of Music, where they both hold scholarships. Since their debut performance at the Academy, they have aimed to build a unique concert repertoire through new arrangements and collaborations with composers, including new works written by Zoë, as well as highlighting under-represented areas of the existing repertoire.

The name ‘Fika Duo’ comes from the Swedish tradition of ‘fika’, to take a break in one’s day to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and something sweet – Emma and Zoë’s secret weapon for long rehearsals.

St Pancras Room, Kings Place

Eva Victoria Schockmel (Luxembourg, 2001) earned her Bachelor’s Degree with highest distinction from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the class of Gabriel Bianco. She performs with ensembles like Duo Encordé and Pulsar Quartet, and has appeared as soloist i.a. with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. She recently won the 3rd Prize at the 14th Martinez Guitar Duo Competition in Iserlohn 2025, the 3rd Prize as well as the Audience Prize at the Mantovani International Guitar Festival 2025 and was a Finalist at the Aalborg Guitar Competition 2024. Passionate about guitar, percussion and arranging, Eva Victoria will pursue her Master studies as a Scholar at the Royal College of Music in London with Gary Ryan in September 2025.

Concert includes the world premiere of a new work by Cheryl Frances-Hoad as well as a performance of 2025 commission Afterform by Laila Arafah.

St Pancras Room, Kings Place

Praised as ‘such an amazing talent’, Duo Cantelina is a dynamic vocal and guitar duo comprising mezzo-soprano Sophie Clarke and classical guitarist Ravi Nathwani. They have just completed their masters at the Royal Northern College of Music and during their time at the RNCM they received First Place in the Bessie Cronshaw/Frost Brownson Song Cycle Competition. Cantelina perform in a selection of concerts all over the UK and last October they were invited to perform by the Consul of Spain for the National Day of Spain. Other performances include a recital for Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre and pre-concert and post-concert recitals for BBC Philharmonic and The Hallé, both at Bridgewater Hall and a recital at Westminster Music Library and Archives in the heart of London’s West End.

As individuals, Ravi and Sophie have both had continued success as soloists. Sophie was the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition Winner and has performed as a soloist in various concert halls including the Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St. George’s Hanover Square in London’s West End. Ravi has been the recipient of Help Musicians UK Postgraduate Awards and has been awarded the Julian Bream Career Development Award from the Royal Northern College of Music. During his time at the RNCM, Ravi was invited to play at the Wigmore Hall on two occasions, performing there in 2022 and 2024.

Programme includes the 2023 IGF commission ‘A Modern Woman in Work, Love, and Life, a song cycle for soprano and guitar’ by Lillis Harris.

The Rhossili Duo (comprising Gabriella Alberti and Cai Charles) is a vibrant guitar and flute pair exploring the passionate world of dance and tango music. They have had a busy year performing as Young Ensemble Artists for the Beaumaris, Budleigh and Fishguard Music Festivals. Their other performance highlights include Welsh Parliament, Draper’s Hall in London and Cwmdu Concert Society. Alongside recitals, they work with Wye Valley Music, providing outreach performances in primary schools and dementia care homes. As individuals, flutist Gabriella Alberti has freelanced with orchestras such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera and the British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Guitarist Cai Charles has performed internationally as part of the ‘Maestros de la Guitarra’ concert series in Spain and premiered the ‘Dos Dalias’ concerto by Gerardo Tamez in St David’s Hall, Cardiff.