Classical trio hit the stage

A CLASSICAL trio are set to take Grimsby by storm as they bring an alternative, intimate style to the genre.

Trio Melzi are the critically-acclaimed group, made up of pianist Sarah Beth Briggs, with exceptional string players Richard Howarth and Jonathan Price.

The Grimsby Concert Society is presenting the trio, which was established in 1999 to satisfy the demand for high-quality piano chamber music and to complement its members' many musical activities.

They gave their debut performance at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, in June 2000 and their first appearances on BBC2 and Radio3 were as part of the 2001 BBC Music Live festival.

Their highly-successful concerts at music clubs and festivals throughout the UK have been enthusiastically received by press and concert promoters alike.

Sarah Beth Briggs became well known to British audiences as a result of her success at the age of 11 in the BBC Young Musician Of The Year, where she was one of the youngest finalists in the competition's history.

She has performed with many of Britain's major orchestras, and at most of its most prestigious venues, as well as giving numerous concerts in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy and the USA.

Richard Howarth was appointed leader of Manchester Camerata in 1989, a position which includes solo and directing work.

His interest in chamber music led in 1990 to the formation of Camerata Ensemble, which offers all combinations of instrumental chamber works and performs regularly at venues throughout the North West region including the Royal Northern College of Music.

Jonathan Price has devoted most of his career to playing chamber music and has broadcast most of the piano quartet repertoire for the BBC with the Matisse Piano Quartet, and works with the counter tenor James Bowman in the Legrand Ensemble, which plays music from the 18th century to the present day, including many new commissions.

Trio Melzi are at Grimsby Central Hall, Duncombe Street, on Thursday, December 3 at 7.30pm.

A licensed bar and refreshments will be available and tickets cost £12 (£2 for full-time students/registered jobseekers) available from Caxton Theatre Ticket Office, Grimsby Central Library. Call (01472) 346251.