Period-instrument
Orchestra
Old Street Band is a dynamic period-instrument orchestra known for its theatrical flair, collaborative spirit, and strong affinity for dramatic music. Founded in 2005 by Music Director Jonathan Peter Kenny, the orchestra enjoyed a long-standing partnership as Associate Orchestra with English Touring Opera, performing to wide acclaim in repertoire ranging from Monteverdi, Purcell, and Handel to Gluck, Mozart, and Rossini.
The ensemble brings together a vibrant mix of established and emerging musicians, united by a commitment to historically informed performance that feels alive, physical, and emotionally direct. While its core repertoire spans Monteverdi to Mozart, Old Street Band has expanded in recent years into later works by Donizetti and Rossini. In 2023, the orchestra gave the first period-instrument performance since the 1825 premiere of Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims.
A defining strand of the orchestra’s work has been its large-scale dramatisations of Bach’s Passions. Presented in churches, concert halls, and theatres throughout the UK, and created in collaboration with over 30 local choirs of diverse ability and background, these projects were praised for their artistic power and social reach.
Now independent, Old Street Band is pursuing ambitious, artist-led projects across live and digital formats. The orchestra presents both well-known and unfamiliar masterpieces in direct, unpretentious and imaginative ways.
Forthcoming projects – featuring music by Ferrandini, Handel, and Buxtehude – mark the beginning of a collaboration with Rebecca van Beeck, performance designer and visual artist.
Meet our Conductor
Jonathan Peter Kenny is a Liverpool-born conductor and Baroque specialist who made his operatic debut at twelve with Scottish Opera. Trained at the University of Exeter and Guildhall School of Music, he enjoyed a successful international singing career, including premieres for Michael Nyman, Thomas Ades and Roxanna Panufnik. He has worked with many of the world’s leading conductors, orchestras and ensembles and his recorded work includes Matthäus-Passion (Miller/Goodwin), Agrippina (Gardiner) and Cantatas Buxtehude (van Immerseel).
In 2005 Jonathan began his parallel career as a conductor in a slate quarry on Valentia Island, staging Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with visual artist, Dorothy Cross
Since then, he has built a reputation for imaginative, theatrically alive performances, conducting a wide range of operas and large-scale works by Handel, Bach, Gluck and Mozart, as well as contemporary collaborations for major concert halls and festivals. Recent highlights include leading the first performance on period instruments of Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims (ETO), and his performing edition of Tamerlano, heard in Dublin, London, Melbourne, Lisbon and Prague.
Jonathan is a Baroque specialist at the Royal College of Music's Opera Studio, where he works closely with emerging singers and musicians.
The Players
Old Street Band brings together period-instrument players and classical singers, combining experience with a spirit of curiosity and collaboration.
The ensemble prepares and performs in a non-hierarchical fashion, with rotating leadership including Naomi Burrell, Jean Paterson, George Clifford, Guy Button, and Eleanor Corr.
Continuo players have included Joseph McHardy, Satoko Doi-Luck, Gavin Kibble, Jorgen Skogmo, Toby Carr, Jadran Duncumb, Carina Cosgrave, and Judith Evans, alongside wind players Leo Duarte, James Eastaway, Katy Bircher, and Philip Turbett.
Core Team
Jonathan Peter Kenny
Conductor & Founder
Rebecca Moffatt
Producer
Rebecca van Beeck
Creative Associate