Performing & Visual Arts
The Big House Arts Festival - full festival ticket
Join us for the inaugural weekend of the festival and attend all three performances at a discounted price!
Launching in 2026 in the Cathedral’s Chapter House, the festival brings together leading musicians and artists for a carefully curated programme of concerts, exhibitions and masterclasses set within one of England’s most remarkable buildings.
The Chapter House is a historic space that has welcomed music and creativity for centuries. Its soaring architecture and rich history create a breathtaking backdrop, while the festival itself endeavours to bring warmth, intimacy and connection.
Whether you’re a lifelong music lover, an art enthusiast or simply curious, The Big House Arts Festival invites you to explore, come together and be inspired.
This full festival ticket gets you access to all three evenings at the festival and includes the following concerts:
10th April 2026, 7pm
The Chapter House, Lincoln Cathedral
The Big House Arts Festival presents The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls: Songs & Poems for Life featuring Olivia Warbuton, Eliza Butterworth, Samrat Majumder and Johan Barnoin.
Join us in person for an unforgettable opening evening of Chamber Music for the inaugural Big House Arts Festival 2026.
In the beautiful surroundings of Lincoln Cathedral's Chapter House, four award winning artists come together for an intimate evening of song, poetry and solo music inspired by Shakespeare’s vision of the seven ages of human life.
Tracing a journey from first beginnings to final endings, the programme reflects on innocence and desire, ambition and wisdom, love and loss - capturing the beauty, absurdity, and fragility of being human.
Johan Barnoin - Piano
11th April 2026, 7pm
The Chapter House, Lincoln Cathedral
Join rising star of the UK jazz scene, clarinet player and vocalist Giulia Marro, as she performs music from her debut album with Tom Ward.
Join us for an evening of Jazz & Aperitivo on Saturday 11th April, as part of our inaugural festival weekend in Lincoln.
Rising star of the UK jazz scene, clarinet player and vocalist Giulia Marro released her debut album ‘A Portrait of Giulia’ in March 2025.
Having studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Conservatoire of the Hague, Giulia’s playing is steeped in tradition whilst remaining fresh and current due to her emotive improvisations. Whilst she is inspired mainly by the swing and bebop eras, Giulia’s original music has reflections of folk and blues music.
Tom Ward is a virtuosic piano player making waves on the UK jazz scene with recent performance highlights including the Royal Albert Hall, the Ladbroke Hall and many more.
Tom and Giulia have played together in various settings but have always loved playing duo. This long-standing duo draw on a strong shared history of playing together, resulting in tight interaction, expressive phrasing, and an unmistakable sense of connection. During this gig you can expect music from Giulia’s debut album alongside songs from the jazz canon that have become favourites between the duo.
Photo credit - James Christos
12th April 2026, 6pm
The Chapter House, Lincoln Cathedral
The Big House Arts Festival presents: Solem Quartet
Praised for their “immaculate precision and spirit” (The Strad) and “cultured tone” (The Arts Desk), the Solem Quartet has established itself as one of the most innovative and adventurous quartets of its generation. We are delighted to welcome them to close the festival, where they will present a programme including Antonín Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 13 in G major, Op. 106.
Set within the historic beauty of Lincoln Cathedral's 13th‑century Chapter House, this concert invites audiences to hear familiar works anew and discover the vibrant possibilities of the modern string quartet.
