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Founded in 1986, Fretwork is widely regarded as the world's leading consort of viols. Over four decades, the ensemble has explored the core repertory of great English consort music — from Taverner to Purcell — making recordings against which others are judged. Their extensive discography includes landmark releases on Virgin Classics devoted to Byrd, Purcell, Lawes, Dowland and Gibbons, as well as celebrated recordings of J.S. Bach for Harmonia Mundi USA, among them The Art of Fugue and The Goldberg Variations.
Equally committed to contemporary music, Fretwork has commissioned over 40 new works from composers including George Benjamin, Michael Nyman, Gavin Bryars, Nico Muhly, Tan Dun, Thea Musgrave and Elvis Costello. Their ability to juxtapose old and new repertoire with creative vitality has become a hallmark of their programming.
The ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Edinburgh International Festival and toured extensively across North America, Europe and beyond. Collaborators have included Emma Kirkby, Iestyn Davies, Ian Bostridge, Michael Chance and The King's Singers. In 2022, committed to sustainable touring, they travelled across six European countries entirely by electric car.
Fretwork continues to inspire new generations through performances, recordings, workshops and viol tutorials.
Helen Charlston is a British mezzo-soprano celebrated for her exceptional artistry in opera, oratorio, and song. Gramophone Magazine has praised her for "incomparable beauty," noting her marvellous diction and rare ability to give life to a musical line.
On the operatic stage, Charlston has built an impressive portfolio of debuts at leading international venues. She made her debut at the Gran Teatre del Liceu as Sesto in Giulio Cesare, conducted by William Christie, and sang Dido at the Versailles Royal Opera in Purcell's Dido & Aeneas. She covered the title role in Charpentier's Médée at the Opéra national de Paris, and this season makes her debut at Dutch National Opera in the world premiere of Michel van der Aa's Theory of Flames.
An equally distinguished concert artist, Charlston has appeared regularly at the BBC Proms in works including Handel's Messiah and Mendelssohn's Elijah, and has performed with orchestras including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Warsaw Philharmonic. She is also a committed recitalist, appearing at venues including Wigmore Hall and the Oxford International Song Festival.
Versatile and widely sought after across Baroque, Classical, and contemporary repertoire, Helen Charlston is one of the most compelling voices of her generation.
More information: Fretwork and Helen Charleston
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