Almost ten years since her last appearance in Aldborough, the famed clarinettist Emma Johnson MBE is making a much-anticipated return with her star-studded trio.

Described by The Times as ‘Britain's favourite clarinettist’, Emma Johnson is one of the few clarinet players to have made a career as a soloist.

Since winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year at the age of 17, she has gone on to become one of the UK's biggest selling classical artists and has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras.

She’s joined by pianist Andrew West and cellist Thomas Carroll, performing works by Beethoven, Brahms and Shostakovich.

Andrew West has developed partnerships with many of the country's leading singers and instrumentalists and has made solo tours of South Africa, South America and the USA. He received the inaugural Gerald Moore Award for accompanists.

Thomas Carroll enjoys a distinguished and varied career as a cellist and, more recently, as a conductor. He has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, and BBC National Orchestra of Wales and is also a member of Trio Apache – regulars on BBC Radio 3.

Set within the intimate and atmospheric surroundings of St Andrew’s Church, the concert promises a rare opportunity to experience world-class musicianship up close in the heart of rural North Yorkshire.

Robert Ogden, Festival Director, said: “We’re proud to bring the kind of world-leading acts normally seen on cosmopolitan stages to our village church. Nothing beats the truly uplifting and transformative experience this level of artistry offers.”

Following the performance, audiences are invited to continue the evening at the festival’s popular late-night venue, The Shed, with live entertainment, food and drinks.

Now in its 32nd year, the Northern Aldborough Festival puts the North Yorkshire village at the epicentre of classical music for ten days, from 18 to 27 June, 2026.

This year’s line-up features The Orchestra of Opera North, pianist Lucy Parham with the actor Joanna David, Wild Arts opera company performing Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, pianist Sarah Beth Briggs, the Clark Tracey quartet and more. The festival also includes the much-anticipated annual hunt for the UK’s best vocal talent with the live semi-final and grand-final of its New Voices Singing Competition.

With limited seating available for this intimate performance, early booking is strongly advised.

Emma Johnson Trio, 19 June 2026, 7.30pm, St Andrew’s Church, Aldborough: https://aldboroughfestival.co.uk