photo by Nigel King
Nottingham’s celebrated classical music festival returns to the city centre 9–12 July, with concerts in the People’s Hall, The Park Tunnel, Nottingham Contemporary, Delilah Fine Foods, and more — with free and ticketed events for all.
The Nottingham Chamber Music Festival (NCMF) returns this summer for four days of world-class live music across some of the city’s most distinctive spaces. Running 9-12 July, NCMF26 brings an eclectic mix of chamber music concerts, family events, and one-of-a-kind musical experiences to the heart of Nottingham. Whether you’re a lifelong classical music enthusiast or simply curious, there is something here for all music-lovers.
The Nottingham Chamber Music Festival brings world-class musicians to Nottingham’s most extraordinary spaces — from medieval churches to Victorian buildings to contemporary art galleries. The festival is proudly accessible, proudly Nottingham, and actively welcomes those who are new to classical music with free and low-cost events running alongside ticketed concerts. NCMF is supported by partners including Nottingham Contemporary, St Mary’s in the Lace Market, St. Peter’s Church, Delilah Fine Foods, The People’s Hall, Nottingham Central Library, and the Nottingham Park Residents Association.
This year, NCMF welcomes two new venues as part of the Festival: Nottingham Central Library, who will host the opening Festival Talk on July 9th, and the historic People’s Hall on Heathcoat Street, who host a salon-style concert featuring violinist Darragh Morgan on July 11th.
Festival Highlights include:
Music & Wine: Aquilae Duo at Delilah Fine Foods, July 9
Delilah Fine Foods hosts an elegant opening night concert. Harpist Eleanor Turner and flautist Lisa Nelsen, together as the Aquilae Duo, take audiences on a journey titled Songs in an Evening Glow, spanning four centuries of music from Spanish baroque to Irish folk, alongside works by Mozart, Kate Bush, and Vaughan Williams. Tickets include wine and canapés service; places are limited.
The People’s Hall – Music for Violin, July 11
Described by The Strad as a “New Music wizard” violinist Darragh Morgan performs a salon-style concert at the Grade II* listed People’s Hall on Heathcoat Street. His programme Exploding Stars features music by Philip Glass, Telemann, Errollyn Wallen (Master of the King’s Music), and more. Audience members will receive an exclusive tour of this remarkable building, built in 1750 and recently brought back to life for the people of Nottingham.
Villiers Quartet & Marcus Farnsworth at St Mary’s in the Lace Market, July 10
The Villiers Quartet return to the magnificent St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market, this year joined by baritone and Southwell Music Festival founder Marcus Farnsworth. Their programme explores the enduring power of folk song, from Caroline Shaw’s intimate By & By (for voice and string quartet) to Beethoven’s symphonic “Razumovsky” String Quartet, Op. 59/1.
Tunnel Vision: Vivaldi Four Seasons, July 12
The festival closes in breathtaking fashion inside the Park Tunnel — a Grade II-listed Victorian passageway carved in 1855 beneath the Park Estate. Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons is performed in this atmospheric cavern by Festival musicians violinists Sophie Rosa, Darragh Morgan, and Jenny Sacha, alongside violist Rose Redgrave, cellist Tim Smedley, and harpsichordist Petra Hajduchova. Nature becomes part of the performance in what promises to be a memorable concert of the summer.
Family Concert: BabyGigs at St. Peter’s Church, July 11
The Festival’s annual Family Concert features the Market Harborough-based ensemble BabyGigs and their concert “The Great Shuffle Show!” In this entertaining concert for families and little ones, audience members have the special chance to determine the order of the concert, with an imaginative mixture of classical music, spell-binding puppetry, and storytelling for this exciting morning. Admission is FREE with donations going to the Music programme of St. Peter’s Church.
More Events Across the Festival weekend:
The full NCMF26 programme also includes an introductory Festival Talk: “So, what is chamber music, really?” on Thursday 9 July (5:00pm) — a perfect starting point for those new to classical music. And on Saturday 11 July, the NYMY Showcase at Nottingham Contemporary (1:30pm) shines a spotlight on the region’s brightest young musical talent. The festival also kicks off a little early with the NCMF Busk n’ Brew on Sunday 28 June (2:30pm), a free warm-up event at Blend at Nottingham Contemporary ahead of the main festival weekend.
Full programme, tickets, and venue information can be found at: www.nottchamberfest.com