The Classical Circuit

In Episode 60, Ella chats to pianist James Baillieu ahead of the 77th Aldeburgh Festival, which marks 50 years since the death of its founder, Benjamin Britten. In James' first year as Associate Director of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme (alongside Ryan Wigglesworth), he reflects on continuing Britten and Pears’ legacy of supporting young artists, through continuing existing traditions b...

In Episode 59, Ella chats to Polly Graham, Artistic Director of Longborough Festival Opera, about the festival’s fascinating history and unique place within the UK opera scene. Polly also discusses her unconventional route into the opera world, and reflects on how experiencing the instability of the industry in her work as a freelancer informs her role as an Artistic Director. -------------------...

In Episode 58, Ella chats to Steve Long, Managing Director of Signum Records. Steve reflects on steering the label through the changing landscape of recorded music and listening habits, from the rise and fall of CDs to the shift into streaming. He also discusses Signum’s enduring relationships with many of its artists, balancing artistic ambitions with commercial realities, and shares the one ques...

In Episode 57, Ella chats to mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston about her new album 'A Poet's Love', a project in which she explores her artistic identity beyond the baroque repertoire she’s so often associated with. Describing herself as 'a German Romantic at heart', Helen reflects on her long and ever-evolving relationship with Schumann’s Dichterliebe, and her approach to a work of which so many reco...

In Episode 56, Ella chats to pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason about her latest album 'Prokofiev': a project that not only represents her reaching a long-held goal, but is the product of taking time to figure out who she is as an artist, how she functions best and what she needs in order to facilitate that. Isata also reflects on the role her heritage has played in shaping her as a musician, representati...

In Episode 55, Ella chats with Michael Beek: writer, journalist, and Director of the London Soundtrack Festival. Michael has worked in and around film and TV music for more than twenty years, interviewing some of the industry’s most important composers, writing album sleeve notes for major labels and programme notes for the likes of the BBC Proms and the Royal Albert Hall. He was previously BBC Mu...

In Episode 54 of The Classical Circuit, Ella welcomes conductor Nicholas McGegan. As we approach spring, when he receives a Lifetime Achievement Award recognising 35 years transforming the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra into one of the world’s leading period ensembles, Nicholas reflects on his six-decade-long career, and discusses the differences found in audiences across the world, rethinking orc...

In Episode 53 of The Classical Circuit, Ella chats to violinist Lizzie Ball about her career shift away from constant touring, balancing a freelance musical life with being a single parent, and networking with integrity. Lizzie is also co-director of Ronnie Scott’s Classical – with the iconic jazz club's new venue Upstairs at Ronnie's opening on Friday 6th February, she tells us about the three di...

In Episode 52 of The Classical Circuit, Ella welcomes pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. Following last month's release of her 'Jane Austen's Piano' EP on Sony Classical, she discusses the story behind the project, performance anxiety, her thoughts on competitions, and the most fulfilling part of her career to date. ------------------- Jeneba Kanneh-Mason Jane Austen's Piano Instagram ------------------...

In Episode 51 of The Classical Circuit, Ella speaks to director, composer and writer Bill Barclay, Artistic Director of Concert Theatre Works. Bill talks about the inspiration and process behind his new production, Death of Gesualdo, in collaboration with The Gesualdo Six, which uses tableau-vivant and puppetry to superimpose the composer-prince's troubled pysche onto his darkest music. He also di...

In Episode 50 of The Classical Circuit, Ella welcomes Gaetan Le Divelec, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Vice President of Artistic Planning, about a collaborative artistic process, and the importance of getting to know his audience closely. Having previously spent two decades in artist management, Gaetan also talks about his experience of the transition from freelance musician to full-time offic...

In Episode 49 of The Classical Circuit, Ella is joined by Bob Riley, CEO of the Manchester Camerata. As he approaches his 20th anniversary in charge of the orchestra, he reflects on its transformation over the years, innovation versus originality, getting clear on what your values are as an organisation, and cultivating a good culture for the people within it.  ------------------- More on the...

In Episode 48 of The Classical Circuit, Ella talks to Fran Matthews, Director of Awards at the Ivors Academy. Ahead of the 2025 Ivors Classical Awards next week, Fran shares what it is about working so closely with songwriters and composers that has kept her at the Academy for twenty years, and the importance of celebrating contemporary classical music. ------------------- The Ivors Academy Ivors...

In Episode 47 of The Classical Circuit, Ella chats to Tom Herring, conductor and Artistic Director of SANSARA, about prioritising the wellbeing of the group, remaining true to its values, and his struggles with burnout. Ahead of SANSARA's performance at Britten Weekend at Snape Maltings this Friday, Tom also talked about their Traces of the White Rose project, engaging with political ideas in arti...

In Episode 46 of The Classical Circuit, Ella is joined by pianist Pallavi Mahidhara, host of The Conscious Artist podcast, for a candid conversation about their pathways into music, growing up as children of immigrants in western countries, and what eventually led them to podcasting. ------------------- Pallavi Mahidhara The Conscious Artist ------------------- Follow The Classical Circuit on Inst...

In Episode 45 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee talks to Sir James MacMillan, best known as one of today's most successful living composers (and also internationally active as a conductor). He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of The Cumnock Tryst, now an integral part of the small East Ayrshire town which is still finding its identity amidst the economic challenges of a post-coal la...

In Episode 44 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee talks to Sam McShane, Artistic Director of King’s Place in London, on the various factors that make up the picture of class and how they can affect accessibility to and experiences in the classical music industry. She also shared the highs of watching a performance that brought together different relationships she’d nurtured throughout her care...

In Episode 43 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee talks to pianist Jeffrey Biegel about his pathway into music, shaped by a significant hearing deficit until undergoing corrective surgery aged 3; the evolution of music; and the importance of ‘following your own yellow brick road’. ------------------- Jeffrey Biegel ------------------- Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram Did you enjoy thi...

In Episode 42 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee talks to pianist and writer Chris Lloyd, co-founder of the 1781 Collective, about his pathway into music, the evolution of his feelings towards the music industry over the years, closing Berlin’s biggest techno festival, and how a missed opportunity resulted in his resolve to never leave his fate in the hands of others. ------------------- Chri...

In Episode 41 of The Classical Circuit, composer Anna Clyne chats about her penchant for bringing different art forms together in her work; from painting, to dance, to electronics. She reflects on the importance of the creative community around her, all things Augmented Orchestra and its potential, writing 'Masquerade' to open the Last Night of the Proms, and how one email from fellow composer Ste...

In Episode 40 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee talks to percussionist Dominique Vleeshouwers (aka DOMNIQ) about his new album, A New Dawn, created in response to his experience of diagnosis, treatment and recovery from melanoma skin cancer. He discusses the mental and creative impact of being ill, using composing as a means to process his emotions, and creating a sense of balance between hi...

In Episode 39 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee chats to soprano Alison Buchanan, Artistic Director of Pegasus Opera. Alison shares the impact that joining the Glyndebourne chorus at sixteen had on her; the importance of mentoring and the transformative effects it can have on whose who need it most; and how she chooses to lead with real, practical action when it comes to encouraging diversit...

Recorded March 2025 In Episode 38 of The Classical Circuit, conductor Harry Christophers reflects on 25 years of The Sixteen's 'Choral Pilgrimage', this year's 'Angel of Peace' theme, and the power of sacred music in historic venues. He also shares a glimpse into his programming process, discusses the importance of nurturing future talent, and emphasises the important presence of community and con...

In Episode 37 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee talks to German baritone Benjamin Appl about collaborating with György Kurtág, and honouring his friend and mentor Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in his centenary year. He also discusses the vulnerability that comes with putting deeply personal projects out into the world, the future of art song, and having less chances to fail once out of 'rising st...

In Episode 36 of The Classical Circuit, host Ella Lee talks to Simon Wales, Chief Executive of Bristol Beacon, about the challenges of taking on a newly reopened venue. Having only stepped into the role in August 2024, Simon shares his observations of the appetite for classical music in Bristol so far, and his vision for the Beacon going forward. He also discusses keeping the talent pipeline front...