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JULY UPDATE
- Continuo Foundation
- Aug 6
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 7
IN THIS UPDATE:
IN MEMORIAM - SIR ROGER NORRINGTON
Sir Roger Norrington, esteemed conductor and Early Music pioneer, sadly passed away in July. A towering figure in classical music, he developed the field of historically-informed performance (HIP) practice and reshaped the way Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic music is interpreted.
In addition to his extensive musical accomplishments, Sir Roger served as a Patron of Continuo Foundation since its earliest days. Tina Vadaneaux, Founder and CEO of Continuo Foundation, commented on his support for Continuo's mission:
‘Sir Roger was a true visionary whose contributions to the world of classical music and Early Music are immeasurable. He revolutionised the way repertoire is explored, performed and understood, while inspiring countless musicians, students, and enthusiasts. He was our first Patron, and we were so privileged to have his support. We will remain deeply grateful for his mentorship, kindness, and unyielding passion for the art form.'
We warmly remember Sir Roger Norrington and his illustrious career in this exclusive interview for Continuo Connect by his friend Alastair Ross, first published in January 2024.
IMPACT - FEEDBACK AND FIGURES
In July, ten grantee ensembles presented a total of nineteen concerts in seventeen locations across the UK. The Musical & Amicable Society also completed recording sessions for their new album, Fiddlers Three: Music from Charles II’s ‘Private Musick’ to be released on Barn Cottage Records.
Continuo's Oxford Early Music Day in collaboration with the Oxford Festival of the Arts was a great success, with thrilling performances from Linarol Consort of Viols and Bellot Ensemble, and a fascinating talk from Sir Nicholas Kenyon. Thank you to everyone who attended!
It was very rewarding to read the feedback from Manchester Baroque following the completion of their Farewell Manchester project. The following extract highlights the importance of our grants for increasing Early Music performance and education opportunities in the region:
This grant plays a vital role in our continued efforts to document Manchester's cultural history, particularly its earliest concert series. It supports the growth of a historical performance scene in the city, addressing the current shortage of opportunities for both performers and audiences to engage with high-quality live historical music. Additionally, it strengthens our collaboration with Liverpool String Academy (Early Music As Education), helping to inspire the next generation of Historically Informed Performance Practice specialists in the Northwest.
Continuo Foundation's impact since inception:
£950,000 awarded to 110 ensembles
1,266 freelance musician beneficiaries
338,000 audience beneficiaries
32 new albums released
FUNDRAISING - 2025 GRANTS
A message from Tina Vadaneaux, Founder and CEO:
The submission period for Grant Round 10 applications closes tonight, and our expert Advisory Panel and Trustees can't wait to read the latest group of creative project proposals!
We have had great support over the past five years, and I would like to offer particular thanks to our two Principal Supporters and our other generous multi-year donors for providing the bedrock of our funding for 2025 - 2027. We are also hugely grateful to each and every person who has been donating to Continuo on an ongoing basis and providing this fundamental support.
My focus now, with your help, is to secure pledges amounting to a further £100,000 per year for three years, which would put us in a very strong position. Suggestions of those who may be interested to hear what I have to say about Continuo's plans are always welcome!
Continuo incurs no costs for fundraising, as I work on a pro bono basis and am delighted to do so. Securing these additional pledges in the near future would have the significant benefit of allowing me to focus my time on new initiatives that will further benefit musicians and help the early music scene to continue to grow and flourish.
If you would like to discuss how you can help us keep this positive impact going, please contact me at tina@continuofoundation.co.uk. There is more information on our Support Us page.
CONTINUO CONNECT
We are honoured to have fans like recorder player Sarah Jeffery - creator of YouTube sensation Team Recorder with over 216,000 subscribers - who has recommended Continuo Connect to her subscribers in this video. Click on the excerpt below to see why Sarah is so popular.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
with Emanuele Addis
Sardinia-born and London-based lutenist and composer Emanuele Addis has a repertoire spanning the Renaissance to contemporary classical and folk music. In 2023, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied historical performance with Elizabeth Kenny. At the Royal Academy, he took part in projects with the Academy of Ancient Music, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, toured France, and performed in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, conducted by Laurence Cummings. In 2022 he founded Londinium Consort, a period ensemble that explores both contemporary and Renaissance repertoire, and works closely in collaboration with composers to create new works for period instruments.
How has Continuo Foundation impacted your day-to-day life?
Securing a grant from Continuo Foundation made it possible for us to professionally record our very first album, 'Crossing Paths', a project that took two years to bring to life. It was such a meaningful step in our journey, and it really helped us take things to the next level.
What new doors have opened for you since becoming a grantee?
Becoming a grantee marked the beginning of a whole new chapter. Since then, we’ve been planning our first UK tour, and we’re hoping to play in around 20 cities! It’s been incredibly exciting to dream bigger and reach wider audiences.
What do you love about being a musician?
I absolutely love collaborating with all sorts of people. I’m constantly learning, not just by playing, but by listening to my colleagues, even when we’re just chatting about music. Those moments really push me to grow.
Where did you encounter the most receptive audience?
One of my most cherished memories was our debut at Wigmore Hall. The support from the local music community was overwhelming. People from all kinds of musical backgrounds came together to listen, and that enthusiasm meant the world to us.
No.1 listening recommendation?
Definitely Ottavio Dantone’s interpretation of Scarlatti’s Sonata K.213 in D minor. The way he ornaments the repeated sections is just gorgeous, playful, expressive, and totally inspiring.
More about Emanuele Addis is available in his Continuo Connect Interview.
JULY PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Music for Awhile - Living Passion
In July, Music for Awhile continued to develop their Living Passion project, with a performance of Bach's St John's Passion in Alton Priors, Marlborough. Led by violinist Margaret Faultless, tenor Nick Mulroy and musicologist Betina Varwig, this project brought together established professionals side-by-side with early-career performers, in an immersive, participatory, in-the-round performance of Bach's masterpiece. Drawing on research on embodied listening practices in Bach’s time, performers were free to move as they were moved by the music, and to communicate freely with each other and the audience, in order to fully embody the intensity of the musical drama. One audience member commented: 'The intimacy of the setting, the freedom with which performers moved and interacted with each other and with the audience, and for us to not only be involved in singing the chorales, which I believe was the case in Bach’s time, but invited to be “singing” in our heads, or even under our breath, all contributed to its effect and affect. Thank you all for a totally absorbing and glorious experience.'
Photo Credit: Nathan Giorgetti
Vache Baroque - Orphée: An Opera by Charpentier
Vache Baroque made their Buxton International Festival debut with a new production of Charpentier's La Descente d'Orphée aux Enfers. For this project, the support of Continuo Foundation enabled the extended rehearsal period required for this ambitious fully-staged revival, which featured beautiful costumes and two dancers alongside the singers and on-stage instrumentalists. Vache Baroque gave three performances, bringing to life Charpentier's ambiguous take on the fate of Orpheus and Eurydice, with soloists Gwilym Bowen (tenor) and Betty Makharinsky (soprano) as the ill-fated lovers. Photo credit: Genevieve Girling
Musical & Amicable Society - Fiddlers Three: Music from Charles II’s ‘Private Musick'
The Musical & Amicable Society performed and recorded their Fiddlers Three: Music from Charles II’s ‘Private Musick’ programme, with concerts at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire as part of the International Conference on Baroque Music (20 July) and in Culmstock as part of the Blackdowns Early Music Projects (17 July). The project explores the uniquely intricate and playful dynamics of works involving three equal treble parts. It presents music written during the 1660s - 1680s, bringing to life the mix of styles old and new, by English and continental violinist-composers at the Restoration court. The programme includes six world premiere recordings and features virtuosic violin writing by Baltzar, Matteis, Purcell, Jenkins and Finger. We look forward to the album being released on Barn Cottage Records next year.
Sarah Small - Good Again? A Cycling Concert Tour
Sarah Small completed her Good Again? cycling tour of over 4,300km and in July gave concerts in Liverpool, Bangor, Llanidloes, Bristol, Bath, Southampton, London and finally, back in Northampton, where she began the journey in May. The Continuo Connect team has been cheering Sarah on and helping her with publicity, concert promotion and documenting her journey.
Motivated by a desire to raise awareness of the environmental impact of air travel and to demonstrate the possibility of sustainable touring, Sarah also showed there are audiences even in the most remote locations. She performed in thirty-one locations across the UK and cycled between them with her viola da gamba.
OXFORD EARLY MUSIC DAY
Continuo's inaugural Early Music Day in collaboration with the Oxford Festival of the Arts was a great success. The concert by the Linarol Consort of Viols and countertenor William Purefoy, marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Orlando Gibbons and the Emerging Ensemble Showcase with Bellot Ensemble of the programme from their Continuo-supported debut album were enthusiastically received by the audience. The day concluded with an insightful and entertaining talk by Sir Nicholas Kenyon on the early music revival over the past century.
