Cellist comes home (From Stroud News and Journal)

Cellist comes home

Stroud-born cellist Christopher Allen, playing at St Laurence's Church Hall on Saturday, February 23 with the Vivaldi Camerata String Ensemble.

THE Vivaldi Camerata String Ensemble, formed last year by some of the finest chamber musicians and soloists in the country, is coming to Stroud this weekend to give a concert.

The Ensemble, many of whom are in demand as members of the Almira, Tippet and Caractacus quartets and numerous orchestras, will give a one-off concert in St Laurence's Parish Church this weekend.

The soloist in Haydn's Cello Concerto is Stroud-born cellist Christopher Allan, an ex-student of Wynstones School who later studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Since leaving, he has worked with some of the leading modern composers, including John Tavener, Errolyn Wallen and Django Bates of Loose Tubes.

Allan has performed across the United Kingdom, at the Sydney Opera House and in New York in October last year. "I'm really looking forward to coming back to my home town to perform as a soloist," he said.

The concert, which takes place this Saturday, February 23 at 7.30pm, features a varied programme of music, including Mozart's Divertimento in D, Rossini's String Sonata, Bach's Oboe/Violin Concerto in D minor and Holst's St Paul's Suite.

Tickets, which cost £10 or £7 concessions, are available from Moonflower, High Street, Stroud or on the door.