About the Venue
Upper Chapel is one of Sheffield’s most historic and distinctive venues, combining over 300 years of heritage with a thriving programme of cultural events. Located on Norfolk Street in the city centre, Upper Chapel is a Grade II-listed Unitarian chapel and the first non-conformist place of worship built in Sheffield, completed in 1700. Today, it is widely recognised not only as a place of worship, but also as an atmospheric and much-loved venue for concerts, talks, film screenings and festivals.
Architecturally striking and rich in character, the chapel features a rebuilt 19th-century interior, raised roof, and notable stained glass windows, including works by Victorian artist Henry Holiday. The building has a long tradition of progressive thought and civic engagement, rooted in the city’s history of religious dissent. Alongside regular services, Upper Chapel regularly hosts cultural events including Music in the Round concerts and screenings linked to Sheffield Doc/Fest, making it a unique crossover venue for arts, culture and heritage in Sheffield.
Key details
Completed: 1700
Type: Unitarian chapel & events venue
Listing: Grade II
Affiliation: General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
Materials: Brick
Location: Sheffield City Centre
Intimate, historic and full of character, Upper Chapel offers a unique setting for live music, cultural events and community gatherings, making it a standout venue on Sheffield’s events calendar.
Upcoming Events
Ensemble 360 brings a beautifully shaped programme to Upper Chapel, opening and closing with Czech-inspired lyricism and placing a striking contemporary work at its heart.
This concert celebrates the expressive possibilities of piano and strings, culminating in Antonín Dvořák’s much-loved Piano Quintet No.2 — one of the great chamber music finales, brimming with warmth, dance-like rhythms, and folk-inflected joy.
The programme
Josef Suk – Piano Trio
A lyrical, late-Romantic work that sets the tone with warmth and melodic generosity.
Lili Boulanger – D’un matin de printemps
A ravishing, fleeting portrait of spring, full of lightness and colour.
Michael Zev Gordon – Piano Quintet ‘Kintsugi’
A delicate and enchanting work, co-commissioned by Music in the Round Sheffield and Presteigne Festival. Inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, the piece reflects on fragility, resilience and beauty.
Antonín Dvořák – Piano Quintet No.2
A joyful conclusion to the evening, weaving Czech folk influence with lyrical sweep and irresistible energy.
Why this concert stands out
This thoughtfully curated programme moves from Romantic lyricism to contemporary reflection, before finishing with one of chamber music’s most uplifting masterpieces — all performed by one of Sheffield’s most admired ensembles in the intimate acoustic of Upper Chapel.
Booking offers
This concert forms part of the Music in the Round Sheffield series:
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/dvořák-piano-quintet
One of the rising stars of the European chamber music scene makes its Sheffield debut as the Fibonacci Quartetperforms a richly contrasting programme at Upper Chapel.
With a glittering array of international prizes and accolades already to their name, the Fibonacci Quartet has rapidly established itself as a bold, intelligent and expressive ensemble — and this concert brings together three cornerstone works of the string quartet repertoire.
The programme
Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quartet Op.18 No.1
Beethoven’s first published quartet is expansive and inventive, moving effortlessly between lyricism, drama and wry humour — a confident statement from a composer redefining the genre.
Béla Bartók – String Quartet No.5
Dazzling with rhythmic vitality and folk-inflected energy, this work showcases Bartók’s unmistakable voice, full of drive, colour and structural brilliance.
Robert Schumann – String Quartet No.3 in A
The evening concludes with Schumann’s warm, romantic quartet — lyrical, generous and richly expressive, bringing the programme to a sumptuous close.
Why this concert stands out
This is a rare chance to hear three sharply contrasting masterpieces in one evening — classical, modernist and romantic — performed by a quartet widely tipped as one to watch on the international stage.
Set within the intimate acoustic of Upper Chapel, this promises an absorbing and rewarding live music experience for both seasoned concertgoers and curious newcomers.
Booking offers
This concert forms part of the Music in the Round Sheffield series:
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/beethoven-bartok-schumann