Duo Lamorniana
2025-11-28 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/Paris) | St. Mary the Virgin Church, 93 Fore Street, St Marychurch,, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4PZ, United Kingdom
Ambrosian Strings are proud to host Duo Lamorniana at St Mary’s for an evening of intimate and profound chamber music.

Robert Schumann„Dichterliebe“, op. 48 (arr. Stegner)
Dmitri Shostakovich Sonata for viola and piano, op. 147
Johannes Brahms Sonata for viola and piano, op. 120 no 1, F minor

Experience the poetic passion of Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe Op.48 (arr. Stegner), the profound intensity of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Sonata for Viola and Piano Op.147, and the romantic depth of Johannes Brahms’ Sonata for Viola and Piano Op.120 No.1 in F minor.
Advance tickets: £15 (under 16s £5). £20 on the door. Doors open at 6:45pm. Refreshments available.
EARLY BIRD PRICES AVAILABLE ONLINE UNTIL 24th Nov.@12:00am
(Premium discount until 27th Nov@12:00)
For group bookings larger than 5 or enquiries, call 07886 201643 or visit ambrosianmusic.com.
Supported by Therapia and Castle Retreats.
Secure your seats now for this captivating viola and piano recital.

About Duo Lamorniana:
Ricarda Schmidt, viola, has worked with the principal orchestras inWeimar, Baden-Baden and Augsburg before joining the Meiningen Opera house as co-principal violist, a position that she held for almost 20 years. Here, she collaborated with such notable musicians as Kirill Petrenko and Elina Garanča.
After performing the gamut of operas and symphonies, Ricarda now has now dedicated herself to performing music for solo viola and chamber music with her partner Ute.
Ute Weickenmeier, piano, specialised in vocal accompaniment, and after graduation from the Hochschule für Musik “Franz Liszt in Weimar has gone on to work in the opera houses of Jena, Meiningen, Osnabrück , Halle and Nürnberg. Ute has also spent time as Assistant to the Board at her parent’s Architecture company in Munich.
She now lives in England and plays chamber music with Ricarda Schmidt.
With a history stretching back to the year 901, the ancient parish church of St Mary the Virgin, St Marychurch, Torquay, has stood through Saxon missionaries, Norman builders, Victorian renewal, and even wartime tragedy. Today, its rich heritage and remarkable acoustics provide the perfect backdrop for this special evening.
Fine wines, beers and soft drinks will be served before the concert and during the interval. We look forward to welcoming you to this delightful evening.
Ambrosian Strings cordially invites you to share in this occasion of culture, history, and musical artistry.
Please note: Wheelchair-accessible seating is available at this event. If you require accessible seating or have specific access needs, please let us know when booking your ticket so we can make the necessary arrangements. Companion seats are also available.
info@ambrosianmusic.com.

A Christmas Baroque Celebration
2025-12-12 19:30 - 22:30 (Europe/Paris) | St. Mary the Virgin Church, 93 Fore Street, St Marychurch,, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4PZ, United Kingdom
Ambrosian Strings:
A Christmas Baroque Celebration
Friday 12 December 2025 | 7:30pm (doors 6:45pm)
St Mary the Virgin Church, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4QY
Join the acclaimed Ambrosian Strings for a magical evening of baroque masterpieces in the historic and festive surroundings of St Mary the Virgin Church.
Programme highlights include:
– Handel – Messiah Overture
– Corelli – Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6 No. 8 (“Christmas Concerto”)
– Torelli – Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 8 No. 6
– Bach – Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
– Vivaldi – The Four Seasons (complete)
Delicious mince pies and artisanal mulled wine will be available.
Tickets from £20 in advance (until 09:00 12th Dec.) £25 on the door.
Premium seating in the front two rows (15 available): £25 in advance, £30 on the door.
Under 16s £5
A perfect way to begin your Christmas celebrations!

An Ambrosian Romance - Sorry, this concert has been CANCELLED
2026-02-06 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/Paris) | St. Mary the Virgin Church, 93 Fore Street, St Marychurch,, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4PZ, United Kingdom
Join the Ambrosian Strings and our wonderful pianist, Mariko Asakawa-North for “An Ambrosian Romance”, an enchanting evening of classical music celebrating the season of love.
The programme:
Elgar Salut d’amour
Elgar Romance
Elgar Chanson de Nuit.
Amy Beach Romance Op.23
Saint Seans Romance in D flat Op.37
Faure Après un Rêve
Robert Schumann Romance in f#major
Clara Schumann Romance Op.22 no.3
Fritz Kreisler Liebesfreud
Interval
Johannes Brahms Piano Trio No.1 in B
Date & Time: Friday, 6 February 2026, 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm)
Venue: St Mary the Virgin Church, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4QY
Tickets: Advance £20 Unreserved/£25 First 2 rows, reserved
On the door £25 Unreserved/£30 First 2 rows (if available)
Under 16s £5
Refreshments available (Our wine selection is very good!)
Group bookings and enquiries: 07886 201643
Generously supported by:
Therapia – www.therapiaonline.com
Castle Retreats. www.airbnb.co.uk/h/castle-annexe
Book now for a memorable musical escape!

A Spring Bouquet
2026-03-06 19:30 - 22:00 UTC | Devon
Join Ambrosian Strings to celebrate the beginning of spring and the beauty of renewal with us in this evocative program.
Antonio Vivaldi’s “Spring” from The Four Seasons
bursts with vivid birdsong, flowing streams, and joyful renewal.
Edvard Grieg’s Våren (The Last Spring) offers a tender, bittersweet reflection on nature’s awakening, rich with Nordic lyricism and emotional depth.
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ beloved The Lark Ascending soars with radiant violin melodies, painting an idyllic vision of the English countryside and the skylark’s effortless flight.
The evening culminates in
Franz Schubert’s sublime String Quintet in C major D. 956, one of the pinnacles of chamber music—profound, expansive, and profoundly moving, blending radiant lyricism with haunting intensity.

A selection of fine wines, beers and soft drinks will be available.
Doors open at 6:45pm

A Spring Bouquet in Modbury
2026-03-07 19:30 - 22:00 UTC | St George’s Church, Modbury, PL21 0QN, United Kingdom
WE’RE ON TOUR!
Ambrosian Strings are delighted to be able to perform in the beautiful acoustic of St George’s, Modbury.
Join us to celebrate the beginning of spring and the beauty of renewal with us in this evocative program.
Antonio Vivaldi’s “Spring” from The Four Seasons
bursts with vivid birdsong, flowing streams, and joyful renewal.
Edvard Grieg’s Våren (The Last Spring) offers a tender, bittersweet reflection on nature’s awakening, rich with Nordic lyricism and emotional depth.
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ beloved The Lark Ascending soars with radiant violin melodies, painting an idyllic vision of the English countryside and the skylark’s effortless flight.
The evening culminates in
Franz Schubert’s sublime String Quintet in C major D. 956, one of the pinnacles of chamber music—profound, expansive, and profoundly moving, blending radiant lyricism with haunting intensity.
A selection of fine wines, beers and soft drinks will be available.
Doors open at 6:45pm
Online sale offer ends 7th March at 09:00

Harriet Mackenzie and Iain Farrington
2026-03-21 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/Paris) | St. Mary the Virgin Church, 93 Fore Street, St Marychurch,, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4PZ, United Kingdom
Ambrosian Music brings together internationally acclaimed artists Harriet Mackenzie (violin) and Iain Farrington (piano) for a programme of pure masterpieces:

Arvo Pärt – Fratres
John Ireland – Sonata No. 1
John Eccles – Mad Lover’s Air
César Franck – Sonata

Harriet Mackenzie is an internationally renowned soloist and has performed across five continents. Recordings include concertos with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Nova and the English Symphony Orchestra. These have received international acclaim, including Five Star review in The Times (Richard Morrison), Editor’s Choice in Gramophone Magazine (Richard Whitehouse) and a nomination for ‘Recording of The Year’ in Music Web International.
Iain Farrington is one of the most accomplished and versatile musicians in the country. As a pianist, he is in very high demand and was even invited to play at the 2012 Olympics – alongside Rowan Atkinson!
As a composer, Iain has created original works for film and television including recent orchestral premieres like Street Party (2025), a new choral album with the BBC Singers, arrangements for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields .
Iain has collaborated with some of the most celebrated names in British music including Anna Lapwood concerts, and Abel Selaocoe, Jess Gillam, and has had his arrangements performed by well over 200 orchestras internationally, from UK to NZ and everywhere in between.
Saturday 21 March 2026 | 7:30pm (Doors 6:45pm) Advance tickets £20 | £25 on door | Under 16s £5 Refreshments available, including a selection of fine wines | Group bookings: 07886 201643 ambrosianmusic.com
Don’t miss this intimate, soul-stirring recital in Torquay’s beautiful historic church—secure your tickets today!
This concert is kindly sponsored by Therapia Shop.

The Bridge Quartet - "A Few of Our Favourite Things"
2026-04-24 18:30 - 21:30 (Europe/Paris) | St Mary the VIrgin Church, Church Road, St. Marychurch, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4QY, United Kingdom
The Bridge Quartet, one of Britain’s most established chamber groups comes to St Mary the Virgin, with a programme of timeless classics as well as some delightful, pieces they discovered over the course of their careers.
Renowned for their warm, communicative style and musical insight, the quartet brings together four outstanding musicians, who over the past three decades have fused to create a musical and technical unity that epitomises the joy of chamber music.
Their programme, “A Few of Our Favourite Things”, features a carefully chosen selection of string quartet favourites and folk-inspired gems:

Franz Schubert – Quartettsatz in C minor, D.703
Frank Bridge – Londonderry Air
Percy Grainger – Molly on the Shore
Charles Wood – Variations on Irish Folk Tunes
Antonín Dvořák – String Quartet in F major, Op.96 “American”

From the passionate urgency of Schubert’s Quartettsatz to the sunny, folk-infused energy of Dvořák’s beloved “American” Quartet, and with delightful lighter works by Bridge, Grainger, and Wood woven throughout, this evening promises a thoroughly enjoyable concert of melodic, heartfelt music.
Described by the Sunday Telegraph as “The superb Bridge Quartet”, this is a rare chance to hear one of Britain’s most engaging quartets in the intimate and beautiful setting of St Mary’s.
As always, a selection of fine wines, various beers and soft drinks will be available before the concert and during the interval.

Violin@TheMovies
2026-05-23 18:30 - 20:30 (Europe/Paris) | St Mary the VIrgin Church, Church Road, St. Marychurch, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4QY, United Kingdom
Experience the magic of cinema through the soulful voice of the violin in this unforgettable evening of film music.On Saturday 23 May 2026 at 6:30pm, Ambrosian Music presents Violin@TheMovies – a stunning programme of musical gems from some of the world’s most touching films, with the violin taking centre stage.
Joining Jonathan Storer on the stage will be the internationally acclaimed – and Torbay born pianist Natalie Burch. For those who aren’t yet familiar with Natalie’s musicianship, I can only urge you to come! You can read more about her here: Natalieburchpiano.com.
This programme features iconic music that was written (almost) exclusively for the violin, including:

Schindler’s List
Cinema Paradiso
Ladies in Lavender
Fiddler on the Roof
The Missionary
The Snowman (Korngold!)
Scent of a Woman

And more!
Doors open at 5:45pm.
A selection of fine wines and refreshments will be available.Tickets:
Advance: from £17 | £20 on the door | Under 16s: £5 This is a wonderful night of evocative, heart-warming music in the beautiful setting of St Mary the Virgin church, Torquay. Ideal for film lovers and classical music fans alike.
