The Portrait Players is an all-female ensemble whose ‘wonderfully woven’ programmes are inspired by historical characters. Featuring Claire Ward (soprano), Kristiina Watt (theorbo/lute) Miriam Nohl (cello/viola da gamba) and Emilia Agajew (harp), the group was founded in January 2023 and quickly established a busy concert schedule across the UK.
Engagements for the 2025-2026 season include collaborations with Dame Emma Kirkby at Clare Hall, Cambridge and Barts Great Hall in London, appearances at the London International Handel Festival, High Barnet Chamber Music Festival and York Early Music Christmas Festival, as well as the world premiere of the Louise Labé Song Project.
The ensemble made its debut at St. Martin-in-the-fields in autumn 2023 in a recital hosted by City Music Foundation. Further concerts include Buxton International Music Festival (where it was named a highlight of the festival) St. George’s Bristol, Peak Music Society, Brighton Early Music Festival, Amersham Festival, MUSICON, Surrey Hills International Music Festival, St. Pancras Clock Tower, Northumbria University, Barts’ Great Hall in the City of London, New College Oxford, The Workshop Series Lewes, University College Oxford, and collaborations with Opera Prelude in London and Henley.
Since its genesis, the group has been supported by a number of emerging ensemble programmes, including the Stoller Hall Emerging Artist Programme (2024/2025), Making Music/Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artist Scheme (2024/2025) BREMF Live! (2023/2024) Live Music Now (2023-2025) and the RCM/NCEM/BBC Radio 3 New Generation Baroque Ensemble Development Day.
Graduates of the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music, the individual members of The Portrait Players each lead busy freelance lives and work with many of Europe’s leading orchestras and ensembles including The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Academy of Ancient Music, La Nuova Musica, The English Concert and The Monteverdi Choir.
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