Viola

Alfonso Leal del Ojo

When, where and what did you play the first time with the English Concert?

It was a BBC Prom directed by Andrew Manze back in 2003 (right out of college!)

What has been your most memorable TEC concert and why?

Handel’s Orlando at the Barbican was pretty special. There is an obbligato viola duet with Orlando (who was sang by Iestyn Davies) and it just felt right!

What’s one of your favourite pieces of music and why?

It will have to be St Anne’s Organ Prelude by Bach BWV 552. There is something truly majestic about the piece. It gets me every time. Or Wotan’s farewell in Wagner’s Walkure… Or Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (all of it!)… Sorry I’ve given more than one.

Is there anything about you that would surprise people?

I am one of 7 kids! I have a twin brother and no-one in my family has any sense of pitch. Singing happy birthday with my folks sounds like an atonal deconstructed composition.

Films & Videos

Purcell – Rondeau from The Indian Queen with Kristian Bezuidenhout

Purcell – Rondeau from The Indian Queen with Kristian Bezuidenhout

Alfonso Leal del Ojo · Jonny Byers · Kristian Bezuidenhout · Nadja Zwiener · Tuomo Suni

Press & Blog

Season’s Greetings! Watch Hugh Cutting perform ‘Wer sich dem Himmel übergeben’ – Erlebach

Season’s Greetings! Watch Hugh Cutting perform ‘Wer sich dem Himmel übergeben’ – Erlebach

With very best wishes for the festive season and a happy New Year, on behalf of The English Concert.

January 2025 archive pick: Alfonso Leal del Ojo

January 2025 archive pick: Alfonso Leal del Ojo

This month's pick has been selected by TEC CEO and viola player, Alfonso Leal del Ojo

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