Press Releases

This film is an up-front depiction of the intensity and amount of hard work and preparation that goes into not just making a CD, but also giving a performance of ease and grace and building an entire musical career. Celebrated conductor Richard Bonynge is frank about what it takes to be a bel canto singer – exceptional talent, study, and hard graft – while fellow Australian, soprano Elena Xanthoudakis, is clearly both undaunted and utterly captivated by the bel canto repertoire which allows her to indulge in both comedic and dramatic roles. The CD, released on the Signum Classics label in March 2014, includes arias by Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini and Verdi. 

Some BBT-funded projects take a while to complete… but BBT is there to the end! The last of Ogrintchouk’s three BBT-supported recordings with BIS is released on CD in April 2014. This is a family affair recital with his pianist father, Leonid Ogrintchouk, and features BrittenTemporal Variations, Hindemith Oboe Sonata and Antal Doráti Duo Concertante among other works. 

The final tranche of the Pavel Haas Quartet’s BBT award went towards commissioning a new work from Czech composer Jiri Gemrot. Quintet for Two Violins, Viola, Violincello and Marimba will be performed for the first time at the Philharmonie in Cologne, Germany on 15 May 2014 with percussionist Colin Currie (also a BBT Award winner).

Young guitarist Sean Shibe is on a mission to buy a guitar made by Spanish luthier Francisco Simplicio from the 1920s and ‘30s. Renowned for their golden tone and special affinity to the guitar music of the period, these instruments are akin to Stradivari in the violin world. To augment his remaining BBT Fellowship funds, he is giving a fundraising recital featuring works by Villa-Lobos, Agustín Barrios and Alberto Ginastera on 3 April hosted by the Vernon Ellis Foundation at 49 Queen’s Gate Terrace, London SW7 5PN.