Free Friday Recitals Continue into 2025

Following the success of the Free Friday Lunchtime Recitals held throughout 2024, St Mary’s Church is thrilled to announce the continuation of the programme in 2025. Over 1,000 people attended the 12 free recitals in 2024 and were treated to high quality classical performances by early career professionals. The series showcased a diverse repertoire, from the early classicism of Quantz, to contemporary music by Caroline Lizotte, including performances by pianists, guitarists, cellists, saxophonists, and harpists.

The concerts will take place on the third Friday of every month at St Mary’s Church, Upper Street at 1.15pm. The concerts are free and you do not need a ticket. Free hot drinks and cake served from 12.45pm.

The 2025 series will begin on Friday 17 January and will feature an exciting lineup of talented musicians.

Friday 17 January: Tom Jesty and Vanessa White will present an entertaining programme of virtuoso miniatures alongside Dvořák’s playful Sonatine on the piano violin. These are contrasted with the more intense Sérénade Mélancholique by Tchaikovsky.

Friday 21 February: Singer Sophie Davis

Friday 21 March: Singer Alaric Green

Tom Jesty, Director of Music at St Mary’s said: “We are delighted to be able to offer another wonderful programme of free classical music to the Islington community at St Mary's in 2025.

"We showcased some incredibly talented artists last year and are thrilled to be welcoming back some of them, including David Bevan and the London Piano Duo, back to St Mary's in 2025.

“It's great to be able to give early career professionals paid opportunities to perform for a large and appreciative audience, and for our local community to hear the talent coming out of music colleges in the UK and abroad."

The Free Friday lunchtime Recitals at St Mary's have been made possible by the legacy gift of Denise Antenen and generous donations from members of St Mary's congregation.

Find out more at www.stmaryislington.org/events