Now in its 13th year, Hellensmusic is an international music festival that takes place every May at Hellens Manor, St Bartholomew’s Church, and The Walwyn Arms in Much Marcle, Herefordshire. Founded by virtuoso British pianist Christian Blackshaw, and Adam Munthe (Chair of the family trust that runs Hellens Manor), the Festival includes four days of chamber music concerts alongside free-to-observe masterclasses from Wednesday to Sunday. 

The Festival is led by passionate Artistic Directors Maya Iwabuchi (violinist and leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra) and Matthew Hunt (Principal clarinetist of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen). To present a four-day programme of concerts, esteemed colleagues from around the world have been invited to join them: Bruno Dellepelaire (principal cellist of the Berliner Philharmoniker), Adrien Boisseau (internationally acclaimed soloist and former member of the renowned Quatuor Ébène), Julien Quentin (pianist), Michael Cox (principal flute of the BBC Symphony Orchestra) and Charlotte Scott (violin). 

The Festival opens in St. Bartholomew’s Church on Thursday 7 May with a programme dedicated to musical modes of travel, imagined wanderings, and evocations of transportation. Highlights of the festival include Vaughan Williams’ treasured The Lark Ascending on Thursday 7 May and the performance of the famous Schubert Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 (‘The Trout Quintet’) in The Great Barn at Hellens on Sunday 10 May. The much-awaited 'concert at the pub', one of the festival’s most popular nights, returns to Much Marcle’s Walwyn Arms on Friday 8 May. This high-spirited programme features '300 Years of Greatest Hits', performed by world-class musicians Julien Quentin, Adrien Boisseau, Michael Cox, and Matthew Hunt.

Beyond the main concert programme, Hellensmusic invites advanced international students to join its distinguished line-up of musicians to live, learn, and work together for seven days within the historic walls of Hellens Manor. Audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere, from observing free daytime masterclasses throughout the week to enjoying communal suppers alongside the artists over the weekend. These shared moments lead into the evening concerts, when students are joined by their world-class tutors in intimate chamber ensembles and a few special solo performances.

Tickets are now on sale at hellensmusic.com