The Art of Baroque: Masterclass & Concert
Presented by Christian Curnyn
Thursday 13 August
A Rare Insight into Baroque Music-Making
Join us for a delightful and inspiring few hours in the company of Christian Curnyn, widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading Baroque specialists, for a rare opportunity to observe a master at work. This open masterclass offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process as ideas take shape and young singers, selected from our repertory ensemble, develop and grow in real time.
Set in the beautiful St Mary’s Church, Wingfield, whose warm acoustic is perfectly suited to Baroque music, the day is designed to be relaxed and welcoming. You are free to observe the masterclass throughout, or dip in and out as you wish.
At lunchtime, take time to unwind: book a table at The Cowshed by Homewood or bring a picnic and enjoy the surroundings at your leisure. After lunch, return for a short, uplifting 45-minute concert, where the young singers will showcase what they have learned, accompanied by harpsichord virtuoso Oliver-John Ruthven (Baroque Double Bill, 2025).
This is a rare chance to witness Baroque performance practice up close, from exploration to transformation, all within a beautifully paced day.
Christian Curnyn
Christian Curnyn is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading conductors specialising in music of the Baroque repertoire.
Christian founded the Early Opera Company and with them has given notable performances throughout the UK and abroad, along with multiple award winning recordings for the Chandos label. Their recording of Semele was chosen as a Best Recording of 2008 by The Sunday Times, Editor’s Choice in Gramophone Magazine and awarded the 2008 Stanley Sadie Handel Prize. Other award-winning discs include Eccles’ The Judgement of Paris, (awarded a Diapason D’or), Handel’s Alceste (winner of the Opera award in the BBC Music Magazine Awards 2013) and Acis & Galatea (winner of the Opera award of the 2019 BBC Music Magazine Awards). Recent highlights with EOC include Handel’s Florriadante as part of the London Handel Festival, Maurice Greene’s Jephtha and Handel’s Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno at the Buxton International Festival.
“Find anything exciting happening in period opera in the UK and Curnyn will
be involved, whether it’s conducting at the Wanamaker or ENO, recording Handel or directing his own projects.”
The Spectator
Date & Times:
Thursday 13 August
10:00am Gardens open
10:30am - 12:50pm Masterclasses (drop in / out)
12:50pm - 2:00pm Restaurant / Picnicking
2:15pm Concert starts
3:00pm Approximate end
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Church Farm, Wingfield, (A366 Wingfield Road), BA14 9LE
Click here for full venue details along with transport options.
Wet weather
Our purpose-built theatre is fully covered and performances go ahead whatever the weather.
Accessibility
Our auditorium is accessible for wheelchairs. If you, or any member of your party require particular seating or have access needs, please inform Bath Box Office when booking your tickets to ensure we reserve the correct seating area for you.n text goes here
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By car
There will be free parking available onsite. Please consider sharing lifts with friends and family where possible.
The parking will be managed by our team of stewards and crew.
Please note, that you will be parking on a field so the ground will be uneven. If you, or any of your party are bringing a wheelchair, require accessible parking or have any mobility issues, please inform the box-office at the time of booking.
By taxi
A variety of taxi services are available in Trowbridge and Uber also operates in the area.
We recommend pre-booking your taxi with your preferred company as it can be busy during our event season.
If leaving by taxi, we suggest using the estimated end time on the specific event page as a guide for pick up time. Please note, performance run times are approximate times only.
By train
The nearest train station to Church Farm is Trowbridge. There are regular trains to Trowbridge from London (change at Swindon or Westbury), Bristol and Bath. Please visit www.gwr.com for train timetables and services.
For the onward journey to Church Farm, there are a variety of taxi services available in Trowbridge (see details above) and it is approximately a five minute drive to the venue from the train station.
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The Cowshed by Homewood
Tables can be pre-booked at our restaurant, The Cowshed by Homewood. Guests with a restaurant table booking will also gain access to the Taittinger Champagne Bar.
Picnics
Guests are also welcome to bring tables and chairs or rugs to picnic within the grounds of Church Farm.
A covered picnic area, The Picnic Canopy, will be also available to book on a first come, first served basis. Please note, there are limited sheltered areas if the weather is wet.
A pop-up bar serving a selection of drinks including specially created cocktails for the season alongside wine, beer and soft drinks will also be available in the garden at all events.
Tickets*
£39.00
*All orders subject to a £1.50 processing feeChildren aged 12+ are welcome & under 18’s go free (limited availability, please enquire at Bath Box Office)
No dogs are permitted, except for assistance dogs
Please note, the seating in St Mary’s Church is on pews and seating is unreserved for this event.
Or call Bath Box Office on: 01225 463 362
THE COWSHED BY HOMEWOOD
Following its successful debut in 2025, The Cowshed by Homewood makes its return to If Opera for a second year, bringing an immersive dining experience back to Church Farm.
This season, the experience remains rooted in a celebration of Mediterranean-inspired, fire-cooked cuisine. Guests are invited to journey through a menu that celebrates Somerset’s finest produce, with locally sourced meats expertly flame-seared on the Somerset grill. Complementing these bold flavours are vibrant, fresh small plates harvested from our very own No-Dig Kitchen Garden, all paired with a signature wine selection curated by our esteemed partners.
Book your table and enjoy a delicious menu of locally sourced produce.