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A Good Company of Musick: Royal Northern Sinfonia with Ben Lunn
Wednesday 17 June
Quick summary
- Price
- £15
- Running time
- 7:30pm - 9pm. Includes 20 minute interval.
- Venue
-
- Arts Centre Washington
Additional information
Event description
What do an 18th-century musical celebrity, the astronomer who discovered Uranus, a Sunderland poet and a modern North East composer have in common? More than you might think.
Royal Northern Sinfonia, orchestra of The Glasshouse in Gateshead, and Sunderland-born composer Ben Lunn invite you on a lively musical adventure through the North East’s past and present, uncovering forgotten stories, local legends and brilliant music along the way.
Charles Avison was one of the biggest musical names in Georgian Newcastle. Organist at St Nicholas Cathedral, director of Newcastle Musical Society, and a brilliant composer too. Two of his sparkling concertos frame William Herschel’s ‘Sunderland’ Symphony – a rare chance to hear music by the man better known as the astronomer who discovered Uranus than as a composer. The sound of the 1700s, right in front of you in 2026.
After the interval is the premiere of Ben Lunn’s new work ANNA MARRA MISSA, inspired by the poetry of Sunderland writer William Martin (1925–2010). Full of warmth, character and affection for North East traditions, the piece celebrates the people and places that make our region unique. Acclaimed opera singer Rosalind Dobson joins Ben and the orchestra to bring it to life.
From stargazing scientists to contemporary voices, this concert is a joyful celebration of the North East’s creative spirit. Expect glorious strings, memorable melodies and plenty of surprises as past and present come together in music that’s full of heart, humour and local pride.
Charles Avison Concerto Grosso Op. 4 No. 1
William Herschel Symphony No. 8 ‘Sunderland’
Charles Avison Concerto Grosso Op. 4 No. 4
Interval
Ben Lunn ANNA MARRA MISSA
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Bradley Creswick director
Ben Lunn conductor
Rosalind Dobson soprano
ANNA MARRA MISSA is commissioned by Royal Northern Sinfonia, with support from the Royal Philharmonic Society.
About Ben Lunn
Having collaborated with musicians from across the world, this concert is set to be a love letter to his home city. Ben’s love of music started with brass bands, something that resonated during his work with Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band. In 2024, he was commissioned by Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall to compose Durham Diptych for the brass band and was performed at Redhills in October last year.
Founder of the Disabled Artists Network, Lunn is also a great advocate for others. His compositions thoughtfully explore the impact of disability and lived experience while he works to support other artists in their creative and professional work.
About Royal Northern Sinfonia
From their home at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Royal Northern Sinfonia share the joy and wonder of orchestral music with thousands of people across the North of England – and beyond – every year.
Founded in 1958, RNS has built a worldwide reputation for the North East through the quality of its music-making and the immediacy of the connections the musicians make with audiences.
The orchestra regularly flies the flag for the region at major festivals. They appear frequently at venues and festivals in Europe, including La Folle Journée in Nantes. In recent seasons they have toured to Vienna, Budapest, Istanbul and Tokyo.
RNS has worked with many international conductors and soloists including Christian Tetzlaff, Sir Roger Norrington, Paul McCreesh, Jess Gillam, Nicholas McGegan, Mahan Esfahani, Viktoria Mullova and Jessica Cottis, and also collaborated with leading popular voices such as Sting, Ben Folds, John Grant, Mercury Rev, Field Music and Maxïmo Park.
In order to engage with the widest possible range of artists and audience, in 2018 RNS founded its inclusive ensemble RNS Moves, and also increasingly programmes accessible and relaxed performances throughout the season.
This concert is part of Summit Week as Sunderland Music City host the Music Cities Network Summer Summit which sees international delegates from across Europe coming to our city.
