Perpetuo is a dynamic and versatile collective of musicians who perform a wide variety of traditional and contemporary chamber music in new settings, regularly taking music to venues including museums, cafes, found spaces and other unexpected locations. Through collaborations with everything from dancers to photographers to chefs, the ensemble seeks out audiences who have never engaged with classical chamber music.
Perpetuo was founded in 2013 by English Oboist, James Turnbull and has since appeared in numerous festivals such as Presteigne, St. Magnus (Orkney), Rye, Totally Thames and Little Venice. Perpetuo’s projects have been generously supported by organisations such as the Arts Council England and PRS Foundation in order to bring new music and exciting collaborations to a new audience. In recent years, Perpetuo has commissioned composers such as David Fennessy, Donald Grant, Alasdair Nicolson, Aidan O’Rourke and Ailie Robertson as well as working with composers such as Thomas Hewitt Jones, Cecilia McDowall and Roxanna Panufnik on their music.
Perpetuo have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 as well as broadcasting live streams on YouTube in collaboration with Dorico Notation software. Perpetuo has also recorded chamber music for Champs Hill Records and Naxos Music.
Perpetuo comprises active soloists and orchestral musicians who can be found performing in numerous orchestras and prestigious venues throughout the UK. The ensemble is proudly player-led, with artistic direction shaped by violinist Fenella Humphreys, oboist James Turnbull, and cellist Cara Berridge. Perpetuo is registered as a charitable organisation in the UK (Registered Charity Number 1163833). Perpetuo would like to thank the Arts Council England and PRS Foundation for funding their projects.
PERPETUO is made up of active soloists and orchestral musicians who can be found performing in numerous ensembles and prestigious venues throughout the UK. Perpetuo is flexible in size from duo up to eleven players who come together on a project-by-project basis. This flexible membership allows Perpetuo to adapt to a wide variety of repertoire and collaborations.
Below is a selection of the musicians who have appeared in concert with PERPETUO:
Violin
Fenella Humphreys, Anna-Liisa Bezrodny, Sophie Mather
Chris Rutland, Rachel Spencer
Viola
Andrew Berridge, Nicholas Bootiman, Meghan Cassidy
Joe Ichinose, Simon Tandree, Rosalind Ventris
Cello
Cara Berridge, James Barralet, Brian O’Kane, Gabriella Swallow
Double Bass
Deborah Pritchard
Flute
Emily Callaghan, Nicky Crowe, Lindsey Ellis, Bronte Hudnott, Holly Melia
Oboe
Nicola Barbagli, James Turnbull
Clarinet
Elizabeth Brown, Jessie Grimes, Kimon Parry, Sara Sarvamaa, John Slack
Bassoon
Sinead Frost, Éanna Monaghan, Joanna Stark, Andrew Watson
French Horn
David Horwich, Francesca Moore-Bridger, Emma Whitney
Trumpet
Simon Desbruslais
Piano
Libby Burgess