ORCHESTRA PRO ANIMA, directed from the violin by Michael Bochmann MBE

Soloists: Michael Bochmann and George Ewart

The Berkeley Castle Orchestral Christmas Concert 2026 will take place on Sunday 13 December at 6pm in the Castle’s Great Hall with a Reception in the lovely Long Drawing Room from 5pm with wine, mince pies and more...

Launched in 2002, this popular event has delighted audiences for well over 20 years. The magical atmosphere of this beautiful historic venue made seasonal with twinkling lights and Christmas trees is truly special. As usual, Orchestra Pro Anima, directed by Michael Bochmann, will play a mixed programme of music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. The first half opens with a most vibrant early work by Mozart; continues with one of Vivaldi’s most loved concertos, featuring engaging interplay between the two solo violins; and ends with a perennial seasonal favourite, Corelli’s ‘Christmas’ Concerto, with its alternation of fast and slow movements and allusion to the Italian shepherd pipers who would come down from the mountains to play at this time of year. The second half comprises Beethoven in his most lyrical vein; the young Mendelssohn at his most buoyant; Borodin, with his famous Nocturne, at his most deeply romantic; and a carol made famous by one of the Home Alone films. Leroy Anderson’s rollicking Sleigh Ride will end the evening.

Refreshments will be served in the interval and the event will end at approximately 8pm.

The programme:

Mozart Divertimento in D major K136

Vivaldi Concerto for Two Violins in A minor RV 522

Corelli Concerto Grosso in G minor Op 6 No 8 ‘Christmas Concerto’

Interval

Beethoven Romance No 2 in F major Op 50

Mendelssohn String Symphony No 10 in B minor

Borodin Nocturne

Leontovych Carol of the Bells

Anderson Sleigh Ride