Top Pianist Opens New Season At Sunderland Pianoforte Society

Award-winning pianist Ashley Fripp will raise the curtain on Sunderland Pianoforte Society’s new season next month.

Hosting a performance from the musician, who has won prizes at more than a dozen national and international competitions, is a befitting start for the group which this year celebrated its 70th anniversary.

It will kick off an eight-month season which will see a host of talented pianists perform on the group’s Model D Steinway Grand at their base in the Pottery Room at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens.

Recitals are open to members of the public and the society actively encourages people to come along and hear pianists at the top of their game live.

This year’s birthday celebrations were a proud milestone for society members who have emerged from loss of funding and changes of location to keep the society going.

The society was founded in 1943 and is the only organisation promoting purely professional classical music in the city.

The admission fee is £12 per recital, free for accompanied children under 16 or £6 concessions. The price of a full subscription (six recitals a season) is £55. Visitors can pay on the door.

All recitals begin at 7.15pm.