In the latest episode, OAE Co-Principal Cello Louise Buchberger joins Netty for tea. Tuning in from her home in Frankfurt, Louise talks about more travels between her projects with the OAE and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Find out what makes gut strings ‘crunchy peanut butter’ like and whether cellists really do have the best seats in the house! Having been with the OAE for over 10 years, Louise reflects on her time before joining and how her experience with the then newly founded group, Spira Mirabilis, influenced her approach to rehearsals and understanding the score. She also shares he ..read more

Conductor, composer and arranger John Wilson joins Netty for tea in the latest episode. They delve into themes that are close to the heart of the OAE. John also recalls some interesting memories including his revelational trips to HMV, and his (nervous) first encounter with the OAE…  John Wilson, who joined us in the summer as conductor for our Princess Ida production, shares his journey into the world of music. There are compelling conversations about his skilful ability to piece back together scores that were destroyed, experiences of orchestrating a film and the intersection of discip ..read more

 The first Tea with Netty episode of 2024 features a Viola combo with Principal Violist Max Mandel joining fellow Violist Netty for tea and chats. They dive deep into a range of topics, including quirky ensemble names, a story on a quick costume change, Max's top five composers, and more!  Max tells his story of coming from Toronto and what inspired him to join the OAE. He also shares a significant pivotal moment when he transitioned to playing the viola, which may surprise some, and other riveting insights into the transformation, vision and practices within the Classical music wor ..read more

In the latest episode, we bring you a Christmas treat of not just one but two Cuttings in a sibling special with Guy Cutting (tenor) and Hugh Cutting (countertenor). They touch base in Netty’s lair (hotel room) during the Christmas Oratorio tour with Masaaki Suzuki. There are talks of chaotic travelling, funny audience encounters, an unusual request for a Sony Ericsson charger and many more amusing stories. Captivating brothers Guy and Hugh Cutting, who grew up together and are now touring together share their learnings of the voice, family inspirations and the transition from choral to solo ..read more

In this episode, OAE Principal Oboe Katharina Spreckelsen joins Netty for tea and chats. She recalls her first encounters with the oboe at a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, where she discovered the joy of Bach's chorales in the Christmas Oratorio and the energetic oboe parts. You can catch her performing and experience the same musical delights in our upcoming concerts with Masaaki Suzuki. Also, find out how to fit three cellos, violas, flutes, and a family in one car. Katharina traces her roots back to Germany to studying and launching her career as a baroque oboist in the UK. She reminisces on ..read more

In the latest Tea with Netty episode, countertenor extraordinaire Michael Chance gives us a rundown of his experience as a singer and teacher with his bustling life at The Grange Festival and other music ventures. He tells fun stories including singing in the air to Superman and other questionable costumes, that are sure to bring plenty of giggles! Michael and Netty take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing on their earliest musical memories together. Michael shares fascinating insights and approaches to language in opera and admiration for the late James Bowman. He also shares amus ..read more

Joining Netty in the latest episode is Claire Holden, who has been an OAE violinist for over 20 years and is also an academic researcher who has led two major Arts and Humanities Research Council projects, as well as being a teacher and consultant on performance practices in the 19th Century.  Claire Holden takes us on a captivating journey as she recounts her experiences of growing up playing the violin, attending music college and becoming an academic researcher. Claire shares enlightening insights from her research on various subjects, such as orchestral practices, the different sound ..read more

Joining Netty in the latest episode is Václav Luks, who is currently conducting Handel's Semele with the OAE at Glyndebourne. We travel back in time with Václav to an era when libraries and photocopy machines were the norm. He shares his passion for mountaineering, survival instincts, and taking a leap of faith in the Baroque world. Conductor, director, harpsichordist, horn player and musicologist Václav Luks shares how his love for nature and focus on emotion and intuition have shaped his musicianship. He reflects on his experience with the OAE and emphasises the significance of establishing ..read more

OAE's Principal Timpanist Adrian Bending joins Netty for tea and talks about the approaches to playing the timpani to some of his ear-bending revelations and everything in-between.  Adrian Bending rewinds back to an unexpected occurrence in his early life to the start of his musical journey and chats with Netty about the development of the Timpani along with many intriguing stories. Tea with Netty is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s podcast hosted by viola player Annette Isserlis (Netty). Over a cuppa (or something a little stronger…), Netty chats with a variety of conductors ..read more

"He's so fizzy. He's like a champagne bottle that's been all shook up". In this episode, viola player Annette Isserlis talks to conductor Maxim Emelyanychev about his meteoric career, his approach to performing historically informed music for 21st Century ears and his favourite things to eat, amongst other topics ..read more