The Carolean Ensemble

Tune your ears to early music airs, as the Carolean Ensemble weave violin and wind instruments into the cello continuo and harpsichord. A feast of the Baroque.

As its name implies, the Carolean Ensemble was formed in the King’s Coronation year by Caroline Hawkins.

They play predominately Baroque music by such composers as Bach, Telemann, Handel, Quantz and Oswald and meet on a monthly basis here in Oundle.

The current members of the group are Ann Speyer, Sue Healey,  Ros Wilmot, Doug Northwood and Charles Cornford.  They use a combination of violin, flute and recorder instruments with a ‘cello continuo and harpsichord/spinet.

Currently they play at modern concert pitch on mostly modern instruments, though otherwise still aim to produce an authentic sound

NEWS UPDATE: We are delighted renowned, local opera singer Maureen Braithwaite will be joining the performance with the Caroleans on Thursday 2nd July in the Laxton Long Room, 2pm.

Maureen Brathwaite – Soprano

Born in London to Barbadian parents, Maureen studied at the Guildhall School and in Florence, before embarking on an international career as an opera, oratorio and concert soloist. She has performed at opera houses and concert halls in Paris, Lyon, Geneva and Germany – as well as, closer to home, at ENO, WNO, Birmingham Opera and in Scotland.

Maureen's repertoire ranges from the Requiems of Mozart, Brahms and Verdi, to Villa Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras and Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (Glyndebourne); from Despina (Così fan tutte) to Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni). She is a ’Soloiste de Radio France’.

Maureen is a mentor for SingersResound and the Pegasus Opera Mentoring Programme.