Birdsong at Breakfast – Sheffield Chamber Music Festival (Samuel Worth Chapel)

A serene morning concert inspired by birdsong and nature

As the morning light filters through the trees of Sheffield General Cemetery, Ensemble 360 invites audiences to pause, listen and immerse themselves in Birdsong at Breakfast — a much-loved tradition of the Sheffield Chamber Music Festival.

Set within the intimate surroundings of Samuel Worth Chapel, this gentle early-morning concert blends live flute and piano music with the natural sounds of birdsong continuing outside, creating a uniquely calm and reflective start to the day.

Music inspired by birds across three centuries

The programme explores how composers across history have responded to the songs of birds, from Baroque elegance to 20th-century colour and complexity.

Programme includes:

• Olivier Messiaen – Le Rouge-gorge, L’alouette Calandrelle, Le Merle Noir, Le Loriot

• François Couperin – Le rossignol en amour

• Jean-Philippe Rameau – Le Rappel des Oiseaux

• Georg Philipp Telemann – Fantasias No.2 & No.7

• Camille Saint-Saëns (arr. Richter) – Volière

• Antonio Vivaldi – Cantabile from Il Gardellino

• Bohuslav Martinů – Flute Sonata No.1 (excerpt)

From nightingales and larks to blackbirds and orioles, the music mirrors the living soundscape beyond the chapel walls.

Post-concert bird walk

Following the concert, ticket-holders are invited to join a guided Bird Walk led by Tom McKinney of BBC Radio 3.

Starting at Samuel Worth Chapel, the walk explores Sheffield General Cemetery to spot and celebrate the real-life avian musicians of the morning.

Strictly limited to ticket-holders for the Birdsong concerts.

Why this event is special

• A peaceful breakfast-time concert in a unique setting

• Music and nature woven together seamlessly

• Intimate, reflective and deeply atmospheric

• A cherished Sheffield Chamber Music Festival experience

Booking offers

Part of Music in the Round Sheffield:

• Save 20% when booking 10 or more concerts in one transaction

• Save 10% when booking 5 or more concerts in one transaction

🎟 Tickets & full details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/birdsong-at-breakfast