Concert season back for Circle

After 18 months away from regular concert performances, Horsham Music Circle is back and ready to celebrate its 80th season of concerts.

Society chairman Jill Elsworthy said: “The problems for the performing arts over this time are well documented but we now look forward to seeing audiences once more and being inspired by our musicians as they return to the platform.

“The Music Circle will maintainacautiousapproach this autumn for everyone’s safety with regard to space, cleaning and ventilation.

“Shorter concerts without intervals have been introduced by promoters in recent months so we will be presenting two one-hour hour concerts at 4.30pm repeated at 7pm with a reduced audience capacity.

“This allows everyone to keep an appropriate distance and not sit too close to other attendees. We also recommend the continued use of face masks unless exempt. We hope these measures will give confidence and help towards a comfortable return to live performances.

“Audienceattendancewill be limited to between 40-50 per concert dependent on householdbookingnumbers. Please book in advance (no tickets on sale at the door) by phone 01403 252602; email horshammusiccircle@gmail. com; or at wegottickets.com/ HorshamMusicCircle.”

“We open the season with adoublebilloveroneweekend featuring two contrasting quartets. On Saturday, September 18 we hear the postponedBeethovenconcert by the Sharpenhurst Quartet. It is also a celebration for the composer’s250thanniversary with a programme including two of his string quartet masterworks, Op 59 No.1 Rasumovsky and the 3rd Movement of Op.135 No.16. The concerts will be held in St John’s Church, BroadbridgeHeath.”