19 - 28 September 2025
Roman River Festival (25th anniversary)
Bringing world-class chamber music to churches and historic spaces across coastal Essex.
February 2025 Programme announcement
March On sale to Patrons
April On sale to Friends
May General Sale
"Incredible, eclectic, and relaxed. Just perfect. And you can even drink your drink in the pew!"
Festival 2024
Bach to Baby Family Concert: Fiesta!
Layer Marney Tower, near Colchester
The wonderful Bach to Baby return to Layer Marney Tower with a concert aimed towards the little ones. Tickets include admission to this stunning Tudor gatehouse (and its sheep, goats and café!).
The Madrigal Reimagined
St Mary's Church, Wivenhoe
The Monteverdi String Band explore the 16th and 17th century madrigal, and reimagine it for the modern day. Includes a special appearance by Ben Vonberg-Clark and the Wivenhoe Youth Choir in one of the madrigals.
Ariel Lanyi Piano Recital
All Saints Church, Fordham
Schubert, Bartók, and Reger, played by rising star Ariel Lanyi.
The Solem Quartet
St Andrew's Church, Fingringhoe
The incredible Solem Quartet make their debut at the Roman River Festival, playing Debussy and Lili and Nadia Boulanger.
Huw Watkins, Sijie Chen and Orlando Jopling
St. James the Great, East Hill, Colchester
Piano trios by Ravel, Bonis, and pianist-composer Huw Watkins himself.
Space and Nature: The Hermes Experiment
Firstsite, Colchester
The Hermes Experiment lead us on an immersive journey through genres, eras, and styles from Cécile Chaminade to Errollyn Wallen and Caroline Shaw.
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and Rachmaninov 2nd Symphony
St Peter ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall
A Classic FM Rising Star 2023, sensational young violinist Hana Chang debuts at the Roman River Festival. Orlando Jopling conducts the Wild Arts Ensemble.
Notes in the Sky: Ant Roberts and Orlando Jopling
Jumbo Water Tower, Balkerne Gate, Colchester
Sunday 29 September, 10.45am | 12.15pm | 1.45pm
Director of Colchester Arts Centre, Ant Roberts, revisits some of his most popular lockdown poetry, with music from Roman River’s own Orlando Jopling. Performed inside Colchester's iconic Grade II* listed water tower.
Masterclass at The Old Library, Colchester
The Old Library, Colchester
Violinist Sijie Chen returns to The Old Library in Colchester to deliver our first free Masterclass workshop of 2024.
Catching Voices: Faith, Nature and Love
St Peter ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall
The finale of the Roman River Festival 2024 - glorious five voice ensemble Catching Voices perform music by Britten, Vaughan Williams, Judith Weir and more.
last year's festival
Wivenhoe Youth Choir Perform Jonathan Dove
Tom Morris OBE and the Sacconi Quartet: Beethoven in the Dark
Wivenhoe Youth Choir Perform Jonathan Dove
Tuesday 26 September, 6pm
St Mary's Church, Wivenhoe
Bartók and Shostakovich Piano Quintets
Tom Morris OBE and the Sacconi Quartet: Beethoven in the Dark
Wivenhoe Youth Choir Perform Jonathan Dove
Tuesday 26 September, 7.30pm
St Mary's Church, Wivenhoe
Tom Morris OBE and the Sacconi Quartet: Beethoven in the Dark
Tom Morris OBE and the Sacconi Quartet: Beethoven in the Dark
Tom Morris OBE and the Sacconi Quartet: Beethoven in the Dark
Wednesday 27 September, 7.30pm
Colchester Arts Centre
Ben Goldscheider and Alex Groves, Horn and Electronics
Cello and Piano Recital with Rainer Crosett and Daniel King Smith
Tom Morris OBE and the Sacconi Quartet: Beethoven in the Dark
Wednesday 27 September, 9.30pm
Colchester Arts Centre
Cello and Piano Recital with Rainer Crosett and Daniel King Smith
Cello and Piano Recital with Rainer Crosett and Daniel King Smith
Cello and Piano Recital with Rainer Crosett and Daniel King Smith
Thursday 28 September, 7.30pm
All Saints Church, Fordham
A Tale of Two Cities: Lunchtime Concert at Tymperleys
Cello and Piano Recital with Rainer Crosett and Daniel King Smith
Cello and Piano Recital with Rainer Crosett and Daniel King Smith
Friday 29 September, 12.30pm
Tymperleys, Colchester
An A Capella Concert with Apollo5
From Beach to Boyd: A Celebration of Women Composers
An A Capella Concert with Apollo5
Friday 29 September, 7.30pm
St Mary the Virgin, Wissington
Open Masterclass with Sijie Chen
From Beach to Boyd: A Celebration of Women Composers
An A Capella Concert with Apollo5
Saturday 30 September, 11am
The Old Library, Colchester
From Beach to Boyd: A Celebration of Women Composers
From Beach to Boyd: A Celebration of Women Composers
From Beach to Boyd: A Celebration of Women Composers
Saturday 30 September, 7.30pm
St Andrew's Church, Fingringhoe
Bach to Baby Family Concert
Bach to Baby Family Concert
From Beach to Boyd: A Celebration of Women Composers
Sunday 1 October, 11am - 12pm
The Barn, Layer Marney Tower
Mozart's Gran Partita
Bach to Baby Family Concert
Mozart's Gran Partita
Sunday 1 October, 7.30pm
St Peter ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall
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