We have been noticing and enjoying the explosion of autumn colour erupting in the trees around the Cotswolds where we (still) live and on our drive down to Wells, Somerset for this month’s recording sessions.Adrian & I are preparing to relocate home & the LS office to GL1 at the end of November. It’s all go here! The group gave wonderful performances in Chipping Campden and Liverpool earlier this month and are gearing up to perform for Oxford Chamber Music Society this Sunday – 3 November. Last few tickets here.

You may have heard Adrian talking about everything we’ve been up to over the past 30 years – or more specifically life since our 25th Anniversary Early Music Show – on Radio 3. The Early Music Show is available to listen again via BBC Sounds here

Yesterday, Adrian and the gang finished recording the second volume of works for our Vivaldi 8 series – which may or may not be released as 8+. The works on this album will complete book 2 of Vivaldi’s Amsterdam publication and be released in the work’s 300th Anniversary (next year). The sessions have gone really well & this album is now ‘in the can’!

Behind the scenes of the recording this week

Adrian has recorded a staggering 10 violin concertos in 5 days: an amazing feat and we are very proud of him.

What some of you may not realise, is that we actually worked one day longer this time and have begun recording music for a later release: Giro d’Italia. This album will take us on a tour of Italy through the music of Valentini (Rome), Facco (Palermo), Durante (Naples), Brescianello (Bologna), Gregori (Lucca), Gnocchi (Brescia) & Vivaldi (Venice).

The idea for this album came from an interview Adrian did for Italian Radio:24 shortly after Forza Azzurri! came out; the presenter asked if La Serenissima would be embarking on a “Giro d’Italia” (tour of Italy) for the programme and Adrian had to say that sadly, this wasn’t in the pipeline – but it would be a great name for an album! Anyway, a little while later… here we go!

Our next release ‘8’ – the first part of Vivaldi’s Opus 8 – will be released on February 14th 2025. Quite apt for the music Adrian is sure to say is his first love!

The cover is inspired by another big music name from Adrian’s home town – The Beatles album ‘1’. Go and have a look if you’re not sure what we’re talking about!

We are massively grateful to John Osborn CBE for championing our recordings so generously & also to the raft of track sponsors who have made this release possible.

SOS!

All the music we play was originally created through patronage. Today, LS is no different. We need our patrons to survive. At this point in the year, I feel I need to send up a flare and say loudly: we need your support.

Because of the ongoing financial strain on the UK & lack of Arts funding, the majority of the concerts we have played this year have cost more than the fees paid to LS and we have fixed overheads of c.£5,000 / month to keep running the organisation. Every recording we make is funded by donations: LS does not receive any recurrent funding public or private. We are powered by the generosity of our donors – for which we are HUGELY GRATEFUL.

If you’ve been thinking about donating, but haven’t quite got around to it – please consider doing it now. Every little helps an organisation of this size.

We need to raise the balance for Opus 8 Vol 2 & the majority of the recording costs for Giro d’Italia urgently. If you fancy sponsoring a track on either albums, please get in touch.

Donate £1,000 to sponsor a Track
Donate £2,500 to sponsor a whole Concerto

Anyone giving £100 or more towards our recording fund will be sent a special limited edition Vivaldi 8 poster, which you can elect to have signed or unsigned. These will be made to coincide with the release of Vivaldi 8 in February 2025.

The curious amongst you can hear Giro d’Italia at Wigmore Hall on 18 November. It’s not too late to book a ticket: here.

Patrons attending Wigmore Hall on 18 November:Camilla & La Serenissima trustees plan to host an open table in the bar at Wigmore Hall from 6.30pm and during the interval. We will be delighted to see any supporters who have time to join us. The bar area is tucked away, slightly apart from the restaurant so do keep looking if you can’t find us. Thanks to everyone who has told us they are attending – it’s very helpful to have an idea of numbers.

Finally, do listen to In Tune on 14 November after 6pm to hear Adrian interviewed ahead of Wigmore Hall. We are hoping to edit a track from our Giro d’Italia sessions to air exclusively on Radio 3 that day so don’t miss it!

Thank you for your support & keep listening
Camilla & Adrian