Red Priest

For the baroque composer, see Antonio Vivaldi.

Red Priest is a British Baroque instrumental group that was formed in 1997 by Piers Adams.^[1] Currently it is composed of four performers: Adams on recorder, Adam Summerhayes on violin, Angela East on cello and David Wright on harpsichord. The group is named after the red-haired Italian priest and Baroque composer, Antonio Vivaldi.^[2]

Red Priest
Red Priest performing in 2015
Background information
Years active	1997-present
Members	Piers Adams Adam Summerhayes Angela East David Wright
Past members	Julia Bishop, Howard Beach
Website	redpriest.bandzoogle.com

The quartet plays in a flamboyant, theatrical and virtuosic style making use of props, costumes, dramatic lighting and other effects.^[3] The pieces they perform are generally their own arrangements, though based very closely on the original music by Vivaldi, Bach, et al.^[4]

In addition to touring all over the world, Red Priest are a frequent guest on BBC Radio 3's In Tune programme. They have released several albums, including a contemporary take on Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Discography

• Priest On The Run - 1998
• Nightmare In Venice - 2002
• The 4 Seasons - 2003
• Pirates Of The Baroque - 2008
• Johann, I'm Only Dancing - 2009
• Handel In The Wind - 2014
• The Baroque Bohemians - 2017

Previous members

• Julia Bishop – violinist
• Howard Beach - harpsichordist
• Julian Rhodes - harpsichordist