The ensemble Chalemie has made a speciality of performing music linked to the theatre. Building on the success of their first British tour of a re-constructed 18th-century pantomime, their appearances range from European festivals of early music and dance (York, Krakow, Bruges) to their own New Year Festival at the Purcell Room and live radio broadcasts (most recently BBC 4 and Radio 3’s 'Georgian Pleasures'). Their Oxford Easter course of early instrumental music, song, dance, commedia dell’arte and costume is now in its eighteenth year. Chalemie’s members have also been regularly engaged as specialist teachers in Europe (from France to Poland), Australia, Russia and Brazil.

 

The members of Chalemie have wide musical interests including historical research/writing, contemporary commissions, world music, leading gamelan workshops and solo harpsichord recitals. 

 

Chalemie’s members are:

Sara Stowe – soprano and harpsichord

Isabelle Carré – modern and period flutes and gamelan

Matthew Spring – plucked strings and hurdy-gurdy

Keith Fairbairn – percussion 

Barbara Segal – baroque dancer (programme involving dance)