Cruises

May 2008 - Burgundy and Provence, France
In May 2008 the MV Princesse de Provence will embark on a cruise, sailing on the Rhône and Saône rivers of France. This is the first French river cruise that the English Chamber Orchestra has presented, and will include the best French cuisine, a specially selected wine list, and daily engagement with musicians and their rehearsals, concerts and accompanying lectures.

The English Chamber Orchestra will be joined by their Principal Conductor, Ralf Gothóni, and conductor/oboist François LeLeux. Other special guests include the violinists Sergej Krylov (pictured) and Elina Välälä, cellist Arto Noras, pianist Martin Roscoe, soprano Valérie Gabail, accordionist James Crabb, and guitarist Xuefei Yang. Musicologist Stephen Johnson will keep the passengers fully informed about the music they will be hearing.

The May 2008 French River Cruise has now SOLD OUT - returns only. Visit the Music Cruise website for more details.

September 2008 - Istanbul to Athens
The annual Mediterranean Music Cruise takes place between 6-13 September 2008. The MSY Wind Star will set sail from Istanbul, taking in Kusadasi, Rhodes, Kas and Naxos on its way to Athens.

The English Chamber Orchestra is delighted to welcome back conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy (pictured) for this year's cruise. Violinist Nikolaj Znaider will also direct the orchestra during performances. Violist Yuri Bashmet, pianists Piotr Anderszewski and Leon McCawley, soprano Elizabeth Watts, violinist So-Ock Kim and young clarinetist Anna Hashimoto complete the line-up of star guests. Humphrey Burton will reprise his role as resident musicologist.

A small number of tickets are still available - visit the Music Cruise website for more details.