West Road Concert Hall, 11 Mar 2026
An Academy of Ancient Music production
There will be a free pre-concert talk at 6.30pm.
Elegance, exuberance, and one remarkable woman: Academy of Ancient Music travels to Georgian London and the lost world of musical innovator Elisabetta da Gambarini.
Think you knew 18th century London? Prepare to think again, as Bojan Čičić and Academy of Ancient Music plunge into the colourful world of Elisabetta da Gambarini – composer, virtuoso, entrepreneur, and the first woman ever to publish music in England. This was the era of Handel and Hogarth – a riot of theatre, music and commerce – so things are about to get lively.
Naturally, there’s music by Handel and his rival Geminiani – both of whom knew and worked with Elisabetta da Gambarini. But that’s not even half the story, as AAM plays the music of the immigrants, artists and adventurers who shaped British taste, and showcases (after nearly three centuries) the creative genius of a woman who helped define a culture, and an age.
Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) is an orchestra with a worldwide reputation for excellence in baroque and classical music. Using historically-informed techniques, period-specific instruments and original sources, we bring music vividly to life in committed, vibrant performances.
One of Cambridge’s premier music venues and is part of Cambridge University
11 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DP
01223 335 184 / wrch@mus.cam.ac.uk