The Classical Circuit

In Episode 62 of The Classical Circuit, Ella chats to Benjamin Woodroffe, Ambassador Programme Director at Classeek, who comes brimming with practical advice for young artists navigating the classical music industry. They discuss career development, communication, social media, self-management, resilience, and much more...

Dates for the next round of applications for the Classeek Ambassador Programme:

Opening: December 1st at 11 A.M. CET

Closing: March 17th at 11 A.M. CET

Apply at classeek.com/ambassador-program#ap-open-info-section

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Classeek Ambassador Programme

Classeek Ambassdor Programme Artists 2026-27

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Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 61, Ella chats to Barnaby Smith, countertenor and Artistic Director of VOCES8, one of the world's leading vocal ensembles. He reflects on their journey of more than 20 years: dream venues and projects, group dynamics, how he programmes for concerts vs digital content, and rebuilding his voice after losing it. He also discusses their new album 'Shall We Gather' in collaboration with Ringmasters, and what success might look like for the next two decades...

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Voces8 and Ringmasters: Shall We Gather

Voces8

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

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Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 60, Ella chats to pianist James Baillieu ahead of the 77th Aldeburgh Festival, which marks 50 years since the death of its founder, Benjamin Britten. In James' first year as Associate Director of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme (alongside Ryan Wigglesworth), he reflects on continuing Britten and Pears’ legacy of supporting young artists, through continuing existing traditions but also introducing new elements in order to tailor the programme to the music world of today. He talks about hearing Lise Davidsen sing for the first time, having a small number of long-term musical partnerships, and his most embarrassing concert moment...

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James Baillieu

Aldeburgh Festival 2026

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

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Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 59, Ella chats to Polly Graham, Artistic Director of Longborough Festival Opera, about the festival’s fascinating history and unique place within the UK opera scene. Polly also discusses her unconventional route into the opera world, and reflects on how experiencing the instability of the industry in her work as a freelancer informs her role as an Artistic Director.

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Longborough Festival Opera

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

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Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 58, Ella chats to Steve Long, Managing Director of Signum Records. Steve reflects on steering the label through the changing landscape of recorded music and listening habits, from the rise and fall of CDs to the shift into streaming. He also discusses Signum’s enduring relationships with many of its artists, balancing artistic ambitions with commercial realities, and shares the one question *not* to ask when pitching a recording project…

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Signum Records

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

--------------------

Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 57, Ella chats to mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston about her new album 'A Poet's Love', a project in which she explores her artistic identity beyond the baroque repertoire she’s so often associated with. Describing herself as 'a German Romantic at heart', Helen reflects on her long and ever-evolving relationship with Schumann’s Dichterliebe, and her approach to a work of which so many recordings already exist. She also discusses the operatic side of her career and the characters she feels most drawn to, and the realities of navigating illness as a freelance singer.

A Poet's Love is released this Friday 8th May on BIS.

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Helen Charlston

A Poet's Love

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

--------------------

Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 56, Ella chats to pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason about her latest album 'Prokofiev': a project that not only represents her reaching a long-held goal, but is the product of taking time to figure out who she is as an artist, how she functions best and what she needs in order to facilitate that. Isata also reflects on the role her heritage has played in shaping her as a musician, representation in the industry, and how the stillness of the pandemic set her on the path to rediscovering her artistic voice.

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Isata Kanneh-Mason: Prokofiev

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

--------------------

Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 55, Ella chats with Michael Beek: writer, journalist, and Director of the London Soundtrack Festival. Michael has worked in and around film and TV music for more than twenty years, interviewing some of the industry’s most important composers, writing album sleeve notes for major labels and programme notes for the likes of the BBC Proms and the Royal Albert Hall. He was previously BBC Music Magazine's Reviews Editor and Editor of musicfromthemovies.com. Ahead of his first London Soundtrack Festival - now in its second year - he talks about 'accidentally' building a career from his greatest passion, meeting and interviewing John Williams, the flourishing of film music concerts, and mistakes that still make him cringe many years later...

The London Soundtrack Festival is the capital’s very first festival dedicated to celebrating the music of film, TV and games. Running from 9-12 April, this year's festival takes place in the city's biggest cultural venues - the Barbican, Cadogan Hall, Central Hall Westminster - with a fantastic line-up of talent including David Arnold, Rachel Portman, John Lunn and Julian Nott.

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London Soundtrack Festival 2026

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

--------------------

Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 54 of The Classical Circuit, Ella welcomes conductor Nicholas McGegan. As we approach spring, when he receives a Lifetime Achievement Award recognising 35 years transforming the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra into one of the world’s leading period ensembles, Nicholas reflects on his six-decade-long career, and discusses the differences found in audiences across the world, rethinking orchestral hierarchies, and leading with joy.

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Nicholas McGegan

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

--------------------

Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

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The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 53 of The Classical Circuit, Ella chats to violinist Lizzie Ball about her career shift away from constant touring, balancing a freelance musical life with being a single parent, and networking with integrity. Lizzie is also co-director of Ronnie Scott’s Classical – with the iconic jazz club's new venue Upstairs at Ronnie's opening on Friday 6th February, she tells us about the three different strands on offer at the weekly classical night, and why the experience will feel special - for audiences and performers alike.

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Lizzie Ball

Ronnie Scott's Classical

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Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*

No offence taken if not.

--------------------

Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins

Performed by Daniel Lebhardt

--------------------

The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.