Unmeasured Chamber Concerts 2026
A monthly chamber series of internationally acclaimed musicians, curated by period-instrument specialists Matthew Wadsworth (lute) and Kate Bennett Wadsworth (cello/viol). Concerts are an hour long and take place in the beautiful acoustics of the Octagon Chapel, designed in 1753 by Thomas Ivory, on the first Friday of the month.
Bach Obligato Sonatas
Friday 5 June 2026 at 7pm
We are delighted to welcome violist John Crockatt and harpsichordist Tom Foster as our special guest duo for a programme of J.S. Bach’s obligato sonatas reimagined for the viola, a favourite instrument of Bach’s.
Programme:
Sonata in D BWV 1028 (originally for viola da gamba and harpsichord)
Sonata in G BWV 1027 (originally for viola da gamba and harpsichord)
Sonata in C BWV 529 (originally for organ)
Tickets:
General admission £20.00 (+ £1.68 booking fee) Your ticket includes a glass of wine.
Under 18s FREE (Your ticket includes a glass of apple juice).
Come With Us £80.00 (+ £6.72 booking fee) Admits 5. Come in a group of 5 and pay for only 4 tickets (you still get the free drink)
Buy tickets in advance here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/unmeasured
Octagon Concert Series: Music Sans Frontières
Sunday 7 June at 3pm
Music Sans Frontières presents an afternoon of uplifting music in support of MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES / DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Telemann Concerto for 2 French Horns and Strings TWV 52:D2
Vivaldi Concerto in D minor for 2 Oboes and Strings RV 535
JC Bach Sinfonia in D Op.3 no.1 Strings, 2 horns and 2 Oboes
Tickets available on the door £8 (£7 concessions)
Lebedek in Concert
Friday 12 June at 7pm
‘Lively and vivacious,’ Lebedek draw on diverse cultural heritage to offer a unique sound of pan-European music.
The members of Lebedek have Ukrainian, Macedonian, Polish, Jewish and English roots. We draw on this diverse heritage to create our unique blend of music. ‘Lebedek’ is a Yiddish word meaning ‘lively and vivacious’… we hope you find us so.
Doors open at 18:30, concert begins at 19:00. Refreshments provided.
Tickets are £16 and available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lebedek-in-concert-tickets-1988929060360
Paul Cross Memorial Concert
Norfolk & Norwich Novi Sad Association
Saturday 13 June at 7pm
A Flute-Piano Celebration
Romance, sonatas and sonatines by Bon Di Venezia, Dutilleux, Saint-Saens and Libermann plus a Serbian “Sing for the Flute” (Pesma za flautu) by Ljubica Maric.
Iain Clarke, piano
Leila Hooton, flute
Tickets £20 adult, £17 members, £5 children available from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paul-cross-memorial-concert-2026-tickets-1985675484828
Tickets also available on the door
A musical Illiad
Thursday 18 June at 7pm
Award-winning storyteller Clare Goodall and historical musician Lizzie Gutteridge (aulos, lyre) combine forces to bring you an epic tale of love, tragedy and loss in an energetic and punchy adaptation, where the characters come to life, even if that life then ends brutally in bloodshed…
“A unique, powerful and compelling piece of time travel.”
Tickets £15/£10, under 18s free https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-musical-illiad-tickets-1987518563526
Norwich History Festival
Tuesday 14 to Friday 24 July
An exciting programme of 34 talks, 30 walks and other events across the city, all with the theme of ‘why history matters’.
Events at The Octagon Chapel
Tuesday 14 July 5pm – Regina: A New History of Women in Power – Kate Williams
Wednesday 15 July 5pm – History’s Most Epic Fibs and Fails with Athena Kugblenu
Wednesday 15 July 6.30pm – Boudicca’s Daughter with Elodie Harper
Thursday 16 July 5pm – What did the Romans do for Norfolk? with William Bowden
Thursday 16 July 7pm – Historic Footpaths with Nicholas Crane
Friday 17 July 1pm – Bloody, Brilliant Tudors with Elizabeth Goff
Friday 17 July 3pm – This Little World – In conversation with Nandini Das
Friday 17 July 8pm – Why Silent Cinema Should Be Remembered with Neil Brand
Saturday 18 July 7pm & 9.30pm – The Voice Project: Diving Dream
Monday 20 July 1pm – Why History Matters Debate
Friday 24 July 2pm – Two Englishmen Abroad: John Dowland and Thomas Simpson with Peter Holman
More information and tickets available from: https://norwichhistoryfestival.co.uk/
Dowland 400 Festival
Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 July
This four day Festival aims to celebrate all things Dowland. It will include amazing concerts and masterclasses by some of the world’s leading lutenists, lectures and talks about Dowland’s life, and so much more – even a chance for a lesson with a leading player, or to have a first go on a lute.
For more details and tickets https://www.dowland400.co.uk/programme-of-events
Sing the chapels with Brendan Taaffe & John Harrison
Saturday 15 August 10am – 5pm (Sunday event at Walpole Old Chapel, Suffolk)
Brendan & John will be teaching their own compositions and arrangements in a variety of styles inspired by the ‘American Vernacular’ (gospel, bluegrass, Appalachian and shape note songs) and beyond, in glorious 3- and 4-part harmony. The songs will be accessible even to inexperienced singers, and everything will be taught by ear. Click ‘WATCH VIDEO’ to see Brendan & John singing one of Brendan’s compositions with the Bright Wings chorus. See Brendan’s and John’s YouTube channels for many more examples of their songs and arrangements.
Tickets: £45 for the day workshop available here: https://snappytickets.co.uk/event/sing-the-chapels-with-brendan-and-john/
Octagon Unitarian Chapel 