CarmenCo
We join Carmen in her boudoir, as she tells her own story in words and music. Dare you consult the cards with her? What does she think of the men in her story? Did she foresee her gruesome ending?
Wonderful musicianship, spellbinding storytelling, entertaining and very funny. A magnificent evening!
★★★★★
CarmenCo is an ensemble comprising Emily Andrews, flautist/mezzo; David Massey & Francisco Correa, guitars.
Formed in 2017, prizewinning trio CarmenCo have performed all over England, Scotland and Wales, honing their distinctive approach and performing their own arrangements of orchestral pieces, opera, folk and world music. They often perform from memory and incorporate movement, dance and storyline into their concerts, as well as varying instrumentation from solo guitar through to voice/flute and two guitars,
making their concerts and shows as unique and colourful as the players in the trio.
CarmenCo pride themselves on their originality - finding new, unique and entertaining ways to present classical music - as well as their portability - not needing a piano means they can tour to remote and rural villages and perform in venues where traditional opera or chamber music does not reach, thus engaging new and very appreciative audiences all over the country. They are currently touring A Pocket Opera - a
comedic concert presented as a play, with costumes, props and a storyline roughly following Bizets Carmen, but told from her point of view. The rave reception this Pocket Opera is receiving has inspired them to start work on their next show, which will be ready for 2026 - watch this space!
CarmenCo grew out of the Andrews Massey flute and guitar duo (Emily and David) when they added extra guitarist Francisco (himself an internationally-acclaimed soloist and chamber musician), enabling richer textures to accompany singing, and adding more variety of
instrumentation. The Andrews Massey Duo was formed in 2009, and has won the Tunnell Trust Award 2012-2013; were Royal Overseas League Competition semi-finalists 3 times, have appeared at Wigmore Hall, St Martin in the Fields, Kings Place and in Germany, Italy and Sweden. They
have made 3 CDs.
Never ones to stand still, CarmenCo continues to expand their concert repertoire, and their latest concert additions include an ambitious arrangement of Elgar's song cycle Sea Pictures (the two guitars take on the entire orchestra's parts and it sounds fantastic), and Mozart's virtuosic and playful flute quartet in D-major (the two guitars share the violin, viola and cello parts with
dexterity).
Bouts of intimacy, creativity and comedy... nearly all the best Spanish tunes I can think of. T he Latest magazine
"An unusual, highly entertaining evening... The three first-rate musicians rose to the challenge of acting and dancing as well as musical performance... Superb range of musical colour and artistry throughout the programme" Ayrshire Post
"What an outstanding performance by the extraordinarily talented and delightful CarmenCo ensemble. It was a magnificent evening ending with rapturous applause" Concert organiser, Arts in The Langfords
"The feedback from your concert has been huge, universally everybody loved it. The number of times I have been stopped in the street this week to compliment the performance is countless." Concert organiser, Portesham for ArtsReach Dorset
"The musicianship was wonderful, I love Emily's beautiful voice and the story telling was spellbinding. What I had absolutely not expected was that it would be so entertaining as well as dramatic and touching - I laughed out loud when I was listening. A lot!" Concert organiser, Frome
Concerts Group
There certainly was a "buzz" as people left having thoroughly enjoyed the evening! Margaret McIntosh, artistic director of Ayr Music Club, Dec 2023
-
Dates & Booking
Nov. 07, 2025 7:30pm
Book now -
Ticket Info
Standard - From £9.00 - £18.00
© 2025 Event information from Data Thistle.
The information included in the What's On Data has been supplied to VisitAberdeenshire by Data Thistle and is subject to changes. Readers are advised to check with the venue or event organiser before relying in any way on the details published here. VisitAberdeenshire and Data Thistle are unable to accept responsibility for any loss or liability arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in these listings.