James Bramley
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As a soloist and accompanist, in ensembles and as a continuo player, I perform throughout the UK and abroad on the lute, theorbo and baroque guitar. I enjoy working with many renowned artists and ensembles including Dame Emma Kirkby and Dowland Works, Rachel Podger, the Netherlands Bach Society and English Touring Opera. Later this year I will also be performing with the Academy of Ancient Music at the Live from London Spring festival. I have also given concerts and recitals for The Lute Society, the London Handel Festival, Brecon Baroque Festival, Brighton Early Music Festival, and Dartington International Festival, as well as appearing on BBC radio and television.

I spend much of my time in the vast seventeenth-century repertoire for lute and voice, and along with soprano Emily Owen formed the duo Melismata to share this passion. As well as performing for Brighton Early Music Festival as BREMF Live young artists, we also work with Live Music Now to bring music-making to audiences that otherwise might not be able to experience it. This involves a range of participatory performances, workshops and residencies with care homes and special schools, and together we have also recently completed LMN’s SEND Inspire Level 1 training. You can read more about my work with LMN in an interview here. I also teach both privately and at Faraday School in London.

I was born in London and enjoyed a very musical education as a scholar at Bristol Cathedral Choir School, where I studied violin, piano, and percussion, and also sang in various choirs. I played in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and went on to read languages and history at King’s College London and the London School of Economics. Not long after, I was drawn to the lute and its important but obscure history in a wide range of repertoires. I began taking lessons with Manuel Minguillón in London, and had frequent masterclasses with Paul O’Dette around Europe. I then completed my postgraduate studies with William Carter and David Miller at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where I was supported by a scholarship from the Guildhall School Trust.

The instruments I spend most of my time playing are a theorbo by Klaus Jacobsen, an 8-course renaissance lute by Martin Haycock, and a 13-course baroque lute by both these makers. When I am not enjoying these, in normal times I can be found at South London Swimming Club, singing at St John The Divine Kennington, or looking after my dog Fred - a Greek hound rescued a few years ago.

Please contact me for my latest biography.


​Press reviews


‘Brilliantly responsive’
Latest

‘Superb ... music of joyful sweetness and haunting sadness.’
Plays To See

‘Musically outstanding ... superlative.’
Latest

‘Full of discreet virtuosity and lovely timbres’
Planet Hugill

‘Refined and careful progressions ... exposing the modulations in a fresh, honest way.’
​Gscene

‘A source of constant delight throughout the evening ... the clarity of the theorbo shone through.’
Early Music Today

‘Sharp and lively accompaniment ... a joy to watch.’
Everything Theatre​​