The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) has partnered with Scotland’s award-winning Baroque ensemble, the Dunedin Consort, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary season with a year of concerts and collaborations.

The partnership will see the internationally acclaimed early music ensemble work side by side with students, and stage a trio of historically informed performances in the Stevenson Hall.

Dunedin Consort will present three major programmes at RCS: Bach’s Italy on 27 September, Sean Shibe: Scottish Lute in March and Cantatas & Concertos on 7 May, featuring countertenor Alexander Chance. The May performance will also showcase a side-by-side collaboration with RCS students.

Alongside public concerts, the partnership will enrich student learning through a series of workshops, masterclasses and clinics.

Professor Allan Neave, Deputy Director of Music and Head of Guitar and Harp at RCS, said: “RCS is delighted to partner with the Dunedin Consort, Scotland’s premier early music ensemble.

“This partnership is an excellent addition to the active relationships RCS has with the nation’s principal orchestras and ensembles.

“We very much look forward to working with such an inspirational and world-class ensemble of musicians and to the contribution this new partnership will make to our students’ learning experience.”

Dunedin Consort is one of the world’s leading Baroque ensembles, formed in 1995 and named after Din Eidyn, the ancient Celtic name for Edinburgh Castle.

Under the direction of John Butt, the ensemble’s ambition is to allow listeners to hear early music afresh, and to couple an inquisitive approach to historical performance with a commitment to commissioning and performing new music.

Andrew Trinick, Chief Executive of Dunedin Consort, said: “As we launch our exciting 30th anniversary season, what better way to celebrate this than to pass on our expertise and love of the music that we play, not only to schools and communities across Scotland, but also to the specialist students at the RCS, and continue to build the future for historic practice in Scotland. We are very grateful to the Cockaigne Fund for helping to make this wonderful collaboration possible.”

Book tickets at the RCS Box Office for Bach’s Italy, Sean Shibe: Scottish Lute and Cantatas & Concertos.

Image © Jen Owens