Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour
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Radiant. Glittering. Candlelit magic.
Who’s on stage
The string players of Royal Northern Sinfonia, directed by Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska and special guest Eva Thorarinsdottir, in some of the region’s most beautiful churches and theatres.
What they’re playing
A selection of beautiful, atmospheric pieces carefully chosen to make you feel warm from the inside out on a cold winter’s night.
In concerts directed by Maria, Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau take centre stage while our Principal Viola Michael Gerrard takes the spotlight in Telemann’s Viola Concerto.
Concerts directed by Eva are a feast of French and English Baroque masterpieces by John Dowland, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Marin Marais, with a sprinkle of Italian flair from Antonio Vivaldi.
Need to know
Price: £21.50 – £26.50 (adults), £5 (children).
Timings: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets: All seating is unreserved. Online ticket sales will stop at 5pm the day before the concert. Any remaining tickets will be sold on the door but it’s best to book early to guarantee entry.
What you'll hear in Alnwick, Musselburgh, Sunderland, Berwick, Newcastle and Carlisle
Jean-Philippe Rameau La Danse from Les Fêtes d’Hébé
Jean-Marie Leclair Violin Concerto in A Minor
Giuseppe Torelli Christmas Concerto
Henry Purcell Prelude from The Fairy Queen
Henry Purcell Dance Of The Haymakers from The Fairy Queen
Arcangelo Corelli Concerto Grosso in C major, Op. 6 No. 10
Henry Purcell Chaconne from The Fairy Queen
Pietro Locatelli Christmas Concerto
Jean-Philippe Rameau Prologue from Scene 2 of Dardanus
Jean-Philippe Rameau Orage from Platée
Georg Philipp Telemann Viola Concerto
Henry Purcell Entry Dance from The Fairy Queen
George Frideric Handel Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 2
Jean-Philippe Rameau Prologue from Scene 5 of Nais
Maria Wloszczowska director/violin
Michael Gerrard viola
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What you'll hear in Kendal, Cullercoats, Redcar, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool and Hexham
Henry Purcell Rondo from Abdelzar
John Dowland The Earl of Essex Galiard
John Dowland Lachrimae Antiquae
Charles Avison Concerto Grosso No. 5
George Frideric Handel Concerto Grosso, Op. 6 No. 5
Jean-Baptiste Lully March for the Turkish Ceremony from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Marin Marais Musette
Jean-Philippe Rameau Entrance of Polyhymnia from Les Boréades
Jean-Philippe Rameau Orage from Platée
Marin Marais Rondeau le Troiller
Jean-Philippe Rameau Prologue from Dardanus
Antonio Vivaldi La stravaganza
Guiseppe Torelli Christmas Concerto
Antonio Vivaldi Sinfonia from L’Olimpiade
Eva Thorarinsdottir director/violin
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What's happening in the music?
This concert brings the Baroque world vividly to life – full of dance, drama and dazzling detail. You’ll hear graceful violin lines from Leclair and Corelli, rich festive textures in Torelli and Locatelli’s Christmas Concertos, and the playful precision of Telemann and Handel. Purcell’s music from The Fairy Queen runs through it like a thread – sometimes stately, sometimes rustic, always full of character. And Rameau keeps us on our toes, sweeping from elegant courtly dances to full-blown storms. It’s music that moves – physically, emotionally, and always with a bit of flair.
Take a listen
Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen plays a starring role in this year’s winter tour. Here’s Royal Northern Sinfonia and Maria Wloszczowska playing the Chaconne in Hexham Abbey a couple of years ago.
Tickets
Tuesday 2 December 2025
From: £5.00 - £20.00
Berwick Parish Church, Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 1DF
Wednesday 3 December 2025
From: £5.00 - £26.50
Newcastle Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1PF