A Date with Shakespeare - and Queen Elizabeth I

We return to Bridgnorth for an upbeat summer's afternoon programme, joined by the well-known broadcaster Lesley Smith as Queen Elizabeth I. Songs with double bass and piano accompaniment will set the scene and Queen Elizabeth I will add her insights and opinions of theatre life, Shakespeare and his plays. The light hearted texts and jazzy elements in the music combine perfectly with her Majesty's reflections, to set you up for the weekend ahead.

Birmingham Bach Choir performs:

George Shearing: Songs and Sonnets

Vaughan Williams: Three Shakespeare Songs

Sven-Eric Johanson: Fancies I

Ward Swingle: It was a lover and his lass

Sven-Eric Johanson: Fancies II

Eric Wetherell: How like a winter & Shall I compare thee?

Herbert Murrill: O Mistress mine

George Shearing: Music to hear

Conductor: Paul Spicer

In the presence of

Queen Elizabeth I (Lesley Smith)

Double bass: Amy Coates

Piano: Andrew Woodhead

For more information about Birmingham Bach Choir, Lesley Smith and this concert see below and also visit: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com.

Lesley Smith is a medical historian holding an M.Phil in Tudor medicine; she is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and a Member of the Society of Medical Writers. A well known broadcaster (150 television appearances in the UK and abroad), she is a former Curator of Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire and is well known for her highly entertaining and informative costumed portrayals of historical characters, which she performs all across the UK.

The Birmingham Bach Choir is one of the country's leading large chamber choirs. Its recent performance in Birmingham in November 2025 (programme including Rutter's Requiem) received outstanding reviews:

".. ..This was a faultless performance of this work, full of light, shade, colour and texture. There were opportunities for every part of the choir to shine, the cello and oboe adding to the sublime harmonies which filled the gorgeous acoustic of Bournville Parish Church in its centenary year....

Overall, this was a lovely programme ...and navigated with seemingly effortless ease by the choir under the ever-expert direction of Paul Spicer. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again - Birmingham Bach Choir is an amateur ensemble who achieves a standard akin to any professional group....." (David Barton)

The historic church of St Mary Madalene, East Castle Street, Bridgnorth WV16 4AQ.

For more local information and information about public transport, car parking etc, see our website:

www.birmingham.bachchoir.com

This programme is not considered suitable for very young children/babies. For the comfort of all our audience children under 6 will not be admitted but from age 6, accompanied by an adult, children are welcome with a student ticket.

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