Christmas by Candlelight – 13 Dec
Christmas by Candlelight at Badminton House with The Bristol Ensemble
The Bristol Ensemble presents an evening of festive Christmas classics, celebrating the joy and warmth of the season through music. Step into the magic of Christmas as the historic Badminton House becomes the setting for an unforgettable evening of seasonal favourites. Illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, the acclaimed Bristol Ensemble will fill the air with melodies that capture the spirit of this most wonderful time of year.
Nestled in the heart of the South Gloucestershire countryside, Badminton House provides an exquisite backdrop for this intimate concert, with its grand architecture and storied heritage. Let the music of Christmas — from cherished traditional carols to much-loved festive masterpieces — surround you in an atmosphere of beauty and celebration.
Whether you are a lifelong devotee of Christmas music or simply looking to immerse yourself in the festive spirit, this evening promises to be a heart-warming celebration of music and tradition.
The event will be held in The North Hall of Badminton House, renowned for its exquisite plasterwork, the celebrated paintings by John Wootton, and its historical significance as the birthplace of the game of badminton.
Arrival 6.30pm. Music begins at 7pm. There will be a 30 minute refreshments interval. Performance will end at 9pm
The Bristol Ensemble – Orchestra for the West of England
CEO – Roger Huckle
Artistic Director – Simon Kodurand
Since its foundation in 1994, by violinist and CEO Roger Huckle, the Bristol Ensemble has been at the forefront of musical life in Bristol and the Southwest.
Versatility is one of Bristol Ensemble’s greatest attributes. BE is more than just a chamber orchestra, it is a collective of specialists that collaborate to provide the highest calibre of performance for a wide gamut of audiences.
From the music of the 17th century, performed on original instruments, through to contemporary composition and experimental music, the ensemble has a busy schedule of concerts at Bristol Beacon and St. George’s, in addition to its regular concert series in Henleaze, Nailsworth, and Bradford-on-Avon. Over the past quarter of a century BE has presented countless world-class performances and award-winning education projects, and has collaborated with many of the finest international performers. Notable partnerships have included Nicola Benedetti, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Freddy Kempf, Peter Donohoe, Andrei Gavrilov, Chloë Hanslip, Matthew Barley, Alan Schiller, Willard White, Emma Kirkby, James Bowman, Andy Shephard, Wayne Marshall, Leslie Garrett, Emma Johnson, Natalia Lomeiko and Gabriel Prokofiev.
Equally at home in the recording studio as well as the concert hall, Bristol Ensemble has had a long-standing relationship with the BBC Natural History Unit, providing numerous soundtracks such as the David Attenborough series Life in Cold Blood, along with countless commercial engagements. Recent recordings include music for award-winning productions such as Aardman Animations ‘Star Wars Vision’ (I Am Your Mother), Channel 4’s ‘Any Human Heart’, and the 2021 Aardman Animation film Robin Robin.
Bristol Ensemble is committed to its charitable work within Bristol and the wider community. It regularly works with local charities presenting fundraising concerts and events, and its Preludes team works tirelessly throughout the year in numerous schools across Bristol.
