Collegium Concert: Dr Leech Leads Rare Works in Penarth 2026

Key Points

• Cardiff University School of Music presents a concert by the University “Collegium,” conducted by award-winning conductor Dr Peter Leech.
• Event takes place on Friday, April 24th, at 7pm at St Augustine’s, Penarth.
• Programme features music from the 17th and 18th centuries, including choir, orchestra, and keyboard performances.
• Repertoire highlights works by female composers: an overture to the opera La Sofonisba by Maria Teresa Agnesi (18th century) and a motet O quam dulce for voices, soloists, and strings by 17th-century nun composer Maria Xaveria Peruchona.
• Concert includes concertos: harpsichord concerto by John Stanley, Leonardo Leo’s Sinfonia concertante for solo cello and orchestra, and a concerto for two flutes and strings by Graupner.
• Additional pieces feature sacred choral works by Carlotta Ferrari, part-songs by Frank Bridge and David Dubery, and solo piano music by Melanie Bonis performed by Ana Beatriz Ferreira.
• Several pieces mark first Welsh modern performances.
• Tickets cost £10 on the door; free for students.

Penarth, Wales (Cardiff Daily) April 14, 2026 – Cardiff University School of Music will host a concert featuring the University “Collegium” under the direction of acclaimed conductor Dr Peter Leech at St Augustine’s Church on Friday, April 24th at 7pm.

What Repertoire Will the Cardiff University Collegium Perform at St Augustine’s?

The programme centres on music from the 17th and 18th centuries, blending choir, orchestra, and keyboard elements. As detailed in the official announcement from Cardiff University School of Music, the concert will open with an eighteenth-century overture to the opera La Sofonisba by Maria Teresa Agnesi. This will be followed by the motet O quam dulce for voices, soloists, and strings, composed by the seventeenth-century nun Maria Xaveria Peruchona.

A showcase of concertos forms a key segment. These include a harpsichord concerto by John Stanley, Leonardo Leo’s Sinfonia concertante for solo cello and orchestra, and a concerto for two flutes and strings by Graupner. The event will also present sacred choral works by Carlotta Ferrari, part-songs by Frank Bridge and David Dubery, and solo piano music by Melanie Bonis, performed by Ana Beatriz Ferreira.

Several works in the repertoire represent first Welsh modern performances, underscoring the event’s role in reviving lesser-known historical pieces.

Who Is Conducting the Cardiff University Collegium Concert?

Dr Peter Leech, an award-winning conductor, will lead the University “Collegium.” Cardiff University’s announcement describes him as steering the ensemble through this diverse selection of Baroque and early Classical compositions.

Where and When Is the Cardiff University Collegium Performing?

The concert occurs at St Augustine’s, Penarth, a venue known for hosting musical events in the Vale of Glamorgan. The precise timing is 7pm on Friday, April 24th. This location provides an intimate setting for the choir, orchestra, and keyboard performances.

How Much Do Tickets Cost for the Penarth Concert?

Tickets are available for £10 on the door, with free entry for students. This pricing structure, as stated in the Cardiff University School of Music release, aims to make the event accessible to a broad audience, particularly those in education.

Why Focus on 17th- and 18th-Century Music and Female Composers?

The selection emphasises historical depth, particularly works by female composers like Maria Teresa Agnesi, Maria Xaveria Peruchona, and Carlotta Ferrari. These pieces, alongside those by John Stanley, Leonardo Leo, Graupner, Frank Bridge, David Dubery, and Melanie Bonis, highlight a mix of operatic overtures, motets, concertos, sacred chorals, part-songs, and solo piano. The inclusion of first Welsh modern performances adds a layer of regional significance.

The event serves as a showcase for the University “Collegium,” demonstrating the school’s commitment to performing rare repertoire. No additional statements from performers or organisers beyond the core announcement have been reported across sources.

Background of the Development

The University “Collegium” operates as part of Cardiff University School of Music, an ensemble dedicated to exploring early music traditions. Dr Peter Leech, recognised for awards in conducting, has a history of directing performances that revive obscure works, often featuring underrepresented composers. St Augustine’s, Penarth, has hosted similar cultural events, providing acoustics suited to choral and orchestral music. This concert builds on Cardiff University’s tradition of student-led performances that blend historical authenticity with modern interpretation, with the April 24th date aligning with the academic calendar to engage both campus and local communities.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Music Students and Local Audiences

This concert offers music students free access to professional-level performances of rare repertoire, providing exposure to 17th- and 18th-century techniques and female composers’ contributions. Local audiences in Penarth and surrounding areas gain an affordable opportunity (£10 entry) to experience first Welsh modern performances, potentially increasing attendance at future events and fostering greater appreciation for historical music within the community. The event may encourage student participation in similar ensembles, while drawing regional interest that supports venues like St Augustine’s through ticket sales and cultural engagement.