Michael Morpurgo poems meet Vivaldi in Penzance this December

Four seasons, four string players, one double bass and a storyteller whose books have sold 35 million copies. That’s the line-up heading to a Penzance church a few weeks before Christmas.

On Saturday 5 December, Concerts Penzance welcomes author Sir Michael Morpurgo and the Brodsky Quartet for a special pre-Christmas afternoon concert at St Mary’s Church in Penzance, starting at 3pm.

Poems woven through the Four Seasons

The programme centres on the quartet’s own arrangement of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, written for string quartet and double bass. In between the movements, Sir Michael will read poems he has created himself.

The concert closes with Beethoven’s Razumovsky Quartet No. 1.

Mince pies and a chance to meet the author

An extended interval comes with refreshments and mince pies. It is also the moment young audience members can meet Sir Michael and his wife, Clare Morpurgo.

Sir Michael will be signing copies of his latest book, Down Burrow Lane. It tells the story of how the couple set up their charity, Farms For City Children, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Donations for the tea will go straight to the charity.

The opening of Penzance Beethoven 200 Festival

The afternoon also opens the Penzance Beethoven 200 Festival, which celebrates the composer’s two-century legacy.

130 books and counting

Michael Morpurgo has written 130 books, many of them for children. Several have been made into major films for cinema and TV, or adapted for the stage. His books have sold 35 million copies around the world and won major awards, and the author has received many honours.

For readers and listeners, though, the draw is the worlds he builds with his storytelling.

📷The Brodsky Quartet

Who are the Brodsky Quartet?

Since forming in 1972, the Brodsky Quartet have played more than 3,500 concerts on major stages around the world and released over 70 recordings.

Curiosity has taken the group in a number of artistic directions over the years, keeping them prominent on the international chamber music scene. Their work has picked up numerous awards worldwide, and their educational work lets them pass on experience to the next generation of players.

About Concerts Penzance

Between 2007 and 2020, Concerts Penzance presented more than 50 concerts and lectures under the banner Classical Music for All, bringing international-quality live classical music into the centre of Penzance.

A good number of the musicians and groups who played the series while still relatively unknown are now internationally recognised performers. The series restarted in 2025 under the management of MusicAbility Foundation.

Tickets

Ticket details for the Brodsky Quartet with Michael Morpurgo are available on the Minack Theatre booking page.

📷Sir Michael Morpurgo