Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 20/10/2025I’m not saying that taking a replacement bus when there are no trains from Birmingham to Solihull is *slow*, but I just listened to the whole of Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil and I’m still not home…. 111
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 10/09/2025If the US and Israel are destroying foreign targets with impunity, it’s hardly surprising that Russia feels it can drop missiles on Poland. What a mess. 011
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 07/09/2025⭐️ Hear from @stephenmaddock.bsky.social at the start of the new academic year! Featuring: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social's new students, National Student Survey results, an uplift in ticket sales, and a big thanks RBC's loyal audiences for supporting our students ⭐️ 🔗 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 022
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 05/09/2025“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.” Donald Trump, at his second inauguration. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTrump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of WarThe US president has sought to refocus the department on 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 05/09/2025“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.” Donald Trump, at his second inauguration. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTrump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of WarThe US president has sought to refocus the department on 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 23/08/2025How glorious to see & hear Judith Weir’s gorgeous 2000 song cycle woman.life.song transformed into a chamber opera by Birmingham Opera. Great staging, singing, playing & conducting (Alpesh Chauhan), with lots of past & present musicians from @royalbirmcons.bsky.social & @thecbso.bsky.social involved 032
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 22/08/2025This is excellent news. The fall in A Level Music remains a concern, but a second material increase in GCSE music numbers is a cause for celebration. Young people still want to make music and compose IF their school gives them that opportunity! 011
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 16/08/2025Well at least Putin was wearing a suit and said thank you. Otherwise Trump might have given him a hard time. 041
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 12/08/2025I know proper cricket fans think #TheHundred is beneath you, but it’s a great way to spend summer eves when you’ve gone back to work in Aug & you can watch an actual game on LIVE TV in knowledge that you won’t have missed all the best bits while you were at work. GO PHOENIX!! 011
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 07/08/2025I think if I lived here I might not get round to composing any more masterpieces either. 042
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 28/07/2025So in the last 6 weeks the world has lost Brian Wilson, Alfred Brendel, Ozzy Osbourne, Roger Norrington, Cleo Laine & Tom Lehrer. That’s a smart - and very eclectic - addition to the heavenly choir. Good luck to the existing members and whoever has to give the audition feedback. 2306
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 23/07/2025England supersub Michelle Agyemang has taken her piano with her to Switzerland and plays it to relax every day. 🎹+⚽️=✅ www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...bbc.co.ukEuro 2025: England forward Michelle Agyemang's journey from ball girl to Euro 2025England forward Michelle Agyemang was a ball girl four years ago at Wembley. Now she is making an impact for the Lionesses at Euro 2025. 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 25/06/2025Definitely not a sequel. More of a Northern English Folk Pastoral Coming of Age Brexit parable - with zombies. Very unusual, superb direction and cinematography, plus some highly apposite but unexpected Wagner. And Alfie Williams is sensationally good. www.imdb.com/title/tt1054...imdb.com28 Years Later (2025) ⭐ 7.2 | Horror, Thriller1h 55m | R 040
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 25/06/2025☀️🎶 @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Principal, @stephenmaddock.bsky.social, reflects on the last term and his highlights from the past season - follow the link below to read his entire message from last Friday! 🎶☀️ 📖 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 032
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 26/05/2025Serendipity Festival Day 4: 28 years after it was founded by the genius Joe Broughton, the @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Folk Ensemble finally took to the stage at Symphony Hall! 012
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 25/05/2025Serendipity Birmingham Day 3: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social Banda Brasileira entertaining a large audience in the JBPS @bmusicltd.bsky.social Symphony Hall. Portuguese music (as heard in Friday’s Fados) travelled to Goa & Brazil & now we’re uniting the traditions! 012
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 24/05/2025Standing ovation for Sempre Fado at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social last night, a brilliant opening to Serendipity Festival Birmingham. Lots more events between now and Monday! 012
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Serendipity Arts Festival Birmingham Day 1: the exhibitions are up @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and looking stunning! Events today at 1100, 1500 & 1900 @mybcu.bsky.social 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 19/05/2025Delighted to appear on BBCWM this evening to talk about the amazing Serendipity Birmingham Festival taking place this weekend at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social and @bmusicltd.bsky.social Full details: Serendipityartsfestival.com/birmingham And www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 043
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 13/05/2025🎶🤩 Principal @stephenmaddock.bsky.social wishes our students the best of luck during the assessment period, encourages everyone to enjoy the Serendipity Festival at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and Symphony Hall, and reflects on his 2 years (& 1 week) RBC anniversary! 🤩🎶 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 022
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 11/05/2025Today’s the day, RBQ fans! New series kicks off with the Midlands taking on Northern Ireland in BBC Radio 4 @ 1630. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...bbc.co.ukBBC Radio 4 - Round Britain Quiz, Programme 1 - The Midlands v Northern IrelandThe contest of lateral thinking and cryptic connections, chaired by Kirsty Lang. 1/12 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 10/05/2025Congratulations to all at WNO for a magnificent Peter Grimes tonight at Birmingham Hippodrome. Chorus, Orchestra were tremendous and the splendidly detailed performances from a great cast (with terrible 80s hair) were spellbinding. Full house too. #WNOGrimes 151
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 08/05/2025“A Pope from Chicago? Yes, I’m available. And here are my conditions” 031
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 26/04/2025One of the best films about music I’ve ever seen. With more than a whiff of Peaky Blinders about it. And Vampires. Totally brilliant! www.imdb.com/title/tt3119...imdb.comSinners (2025) ⭐ 8.2 | Action, Drama, Horror2h 17m | R 041
Reposted by Stephen MaddockHippolyta Loudbasket (she/her) @loudbasket.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Still bitter about the time a guy in work said he was going on holiday and I asked where he was going and he said, “Santander,” and I said, “So it’s a bank holiday?” and he didn’t laugh. 1245754
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 14/04/2025🎶🤩 Principal @stephenmaddock.bsky.social updates on upcoming performances at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social, increased event attendance, and the Serendipity Arts Festival, which will be hosted at RBC and Symphony Hall over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend! 🤩🎶 Read more here: www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 162
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 11/04/2025Finally got round to watching #Conclave. What a brilliantly-made movie - and very faithful to Robert Harris’s book. Fiennes & Tucci both extraordinary, and the music & sound design are superbly atmospheric. Loved it. 051
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 09/04/2025Looking forward to reading all the articles by commentators who told us last week why Trump’s tariffs were strategic genius now telling us why removing them after 5 days is ALSO the work of a genius. 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 28/03/2025What a joy to start the afternoon at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a recital by the great Roderick Williams (& Andrew West) who gave us a gorgeous tour of Victorian (and later) orientalism ending with songs by Harry T Burleigh, the composer who introduced Dvorak to African-American music. 031
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 24/03/2025Pleased to be one of several hundred signatories to this important letter. Music education should be a right! edsheeranfoundation.com/protect-grow...edsheeranfoundation.comProtect & Grow Music Education: A letter to the Prime MinisterAs an industry, we bring in £7.6 billion into the UK economy, yet the next generation is not there to take the reins. 031
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 22/03/2025The last @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Yr3 Acting production of the year: a mesmerising, musically rich version of Pam Gems’ Piaf with brilliant ensemble cast. Great movement & singing, and at its centre an astonishing performance by Bella Gabor as Piaf. Great arrangements by Daniel Blanco Albert too! 032
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 21/03/2025Big congrats to the @BirmCons @MyBCU actors who recreated 1936 Ireland in Brian Friel’s bittersweet Dancing at Lughnasa. A superb evening. NB to @Apple: I’m sure there ARE people Dancing at Lufthansa tonight now that Heathrow is reopening, but your autocorrect read my mind incorrectly. 031
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 20/03/2025Apparently today is World Sparrow Day. So it’s exactly the right time to wish all the best to the cast of @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social production of Piaf, which opens tonight! Really looking forward to seeing this on Saturday.bcu.ac.ukPiaf by Pam GemsPiaf by Pam Gems details the tragic story of the legendary French singer Édith Gassion - known as ‘Piaf’, the ‘sparrow’ or ‘little bird’ in French. Famous for the songs La Vie en Rose and Non, je ne r... 032
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 18/03/2025An encouraging announcement today from the Department for Education. Lots of detail (including about any ££) to follow - but a good start. www.gov.uk/government/n...gov.ukYoung people to benefit from creative education boostNew package announced to support young people to access high-quality arts education and enrichment activities as well as AI and tech opportunities. 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 18/03/2025@bbcradio4.bsky.social Re the Polar Music Prize: you just announced that there are three winners: Queen, Herbie Hancock & Barbara Hannigan. You then talked about, and played music by, the first two, but ignored Barbara Hannigan. Why? #r4today 141
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 17/03/2025✨🤩 Hear from @royalbirmcons.bsky.social's Principal, @stephenmaddock.bsky.social, as he reflects on the movers and shakers from the classical music world who were recently welcomed to RBC for the @royalphilsoc.bsky.social Awards! 🤩✨ You can read Stephen's message here: www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 022
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 11/03/2025Hello @bristolbeacon.bsky.social! Well this is nice! My first visit since CBSO & Mirga gave the final orchestral concert in the Colston Hall in 2018. 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 10/03/2025Happy Monday everyone! www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...bbc.co.ukICC Champions Trophy 2025: Glenn Phillips produces a stunning catch to dismiss Shubman GillGlenn Phillips produces yet another 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 08/03/2025Two tremendous casts, one magnificent comic opera: Britten’s Albert Herring looking and sounding absolutely brilliant last night & today with both casts of @royalbirmcons.bsky.social singers (and the superb orchestra) on top form. And all 4 performances sold out, too! @mybcu.bsky.social 172
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 07/03/2025What a great evening we had last night hosting the @royalphilsoc.bsky.social Awards at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social So many brilliant winners and nominees, and a great Birmingham showing all round. There’s a special programme tonight on BBC Radio 3.royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk2025 RPS Awards winners announced 074
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 06/03/2025Very much looking forward to welcoming hundreds of movers & shakers from the classical music scene to @royalbirmcons.bsky.social tonight for the @royalphilsoc.bsky.social Awards, only the 2nd time they’ve been held outside London. Good luck to all nominees! @mybcu.bsky.socialroyalphilharmonicsociety.org.ukRoyal Philharmonic Society Awards 2025 063
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 04/03/2025Definitely my favourite website this week. www.tickcounter.com/countdown/16...tickcounter.comTime Until Trump Leaves OfficeCountdown timer showing how much time left until Saturday, January 20, 2029 12:00:00 PM in timezone New York, America (UTC-05:00) 011
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 01/03/2025www.tickcounter.com/countdown/16...tickcounter.comTime Until Trump Leaves OfficeCountdown timer showing how much time left until Saturday, January 20, 2029 12:00:00 PM in timezone New York, America (UTC-05:00) 011
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 23/02/2025RBQ 2025: the Midlands team’s battle to defend our title begins this afternoon with two matches against Northern Ireland. I will be sworn to secrecy either way until the broadcasts….. @bbcradio4.bsky.social 131
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 22/02/2025So the reviews & word of mouth were right: Festen @royaloperahouse.bsky.social is sensationally effective and moving. I can’t remember a new opera in my decades of going that has been quite such a hit both with critics and the public. Bravi tutti especially Allan Clayton & Ed Gardner + Orchestra 141
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 20/02/2025Fantastic French concert this evening by @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Symphony Orchestra & Karen Ní Bhroin. A Berlioz UK premiere (sic!), Satie, Mel Bonis, La Valse & Ravel Left Hand played magnificently by RBC’s Georgian star pianist Salomé Chitaia. Tomorrow: Boulez’s Sur incises! @mybcu.bsky.social 082
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 19/02/2025✨🎶 Updates at the mid-point of the academic year from @royalbirmcons.bsky.social's Principal, @stephenmaddock.bsky.social! 🎶✨ You can read Stephen's message here: www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 062
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 18/02/2025Very disappointed to discover this. I spent all day queuing up at Heartlands A & E waiting to meet Christian Bale. www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/elon-mu...thelondoneconomic.comElon Musk reposts image of 'Birmingham hospital' but it's actually a Batman sceneElon Musk reposted the image claiming to show 'migrants storming a hospital', but it appears to actually be from The Dark Knight Rises. 011
