Tea with Netty

In the latest episode, OAE Projects team members Sophie Adams and Ed Ault join Netty for a cuppa and a chat backstage at the Royal Festival Hall. They discuss life on the farm - surprisingly not so dissimilar to running an orchestra - harpsichords on the roof, airport mishaps, filming fun, unexpected duties, and more. There are plenty of laughs in this one!
Sophie reflects on her upbringing on a dairy farm, drawing unexpected parallels between moving cattle and herding musicians during concert days and tours. Ed takes us inside his deeply musical household, where his passion for classical music began at an early age as an orchestral percussionist. He recalls his first project with the OAE at the height of the pandemic, sharing what it was like when the world suddenly went digital.
Together, Sophie and Ed share quirky insider stories, unexpected moments, and favourite memories from their time at the OAE. They also recount amusing interactions with students at their home base at Acland Burghley School, reflecting on the growth and development of the Dreamchasing Young Producers. Get a glimpse behind the scenes of what it takes to bring a performance to life and on the road.
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Tea with Netty is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s podcast hosted by viola player Annette Isserlis (Netty). Over a cuppa (or something a little stronger…), Netty chats with a variety of conductors, players and other guests as she ‘spills the tea’ on the side of classical music you don’t normally hear.
Available as Apple podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, TuneIn+Alexa

In this lively episode, conductor Adam Fischer sits down with Netty for a tea and chat during their rehearsal break of our Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 concert. Adam reflects on the moment he first heard Haydn's symphony at six years old, which ignited his passion for conducting. He also shares his deep enthusiasm for Haydn’s music and why he champions the composer. There’s a lot of laughter as they connect over sibling dynamics and musical experiences.
Adam shares his journey from choral singing to becoming a stage conductor in opera. He talks about reacting to music in real time and emphasises the importance of how symphonies tell stories, just as operas do. He recounts his various musical and linguistic studies in Hungary and Austria, along with fascinating family anecdotes that have shaped his current profession. 
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Tea with Netty is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s podcast hosted by viola player Annette Isserlis (Netty). Over a cuppa (or something a little stronger…), Netty chats with a variety of conductors, players and other guests as she ‘spills the tea’ on the side of classical music you don’t normally hear.
Available as Apple podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, TuneIn+Alexa

In the first episode of 2026, OAE leader Margaret Faultless joins Netty for tea in our home at Acland Burghley School. Maggie reflects on her first OAE performance with Sir Simon Rattle in 1987 and her love for Haydn and Bach’s music. They also discuss her experience as leader of the Breaking Bach tour, the OAE’s dance production that connects a new generation of street dancers with the rhythmic complexities of Bach’s music.
Maggie passionately engages in education as the leader of the OAE's Ann and Peter Law Experience Scheme and in her roles as Head of Early Music at the Royal Academy of music and Director of Performance at Cambridge University. She shares her experiences working with young people and reflects on the remarkable continuity of Bach's music in the 21st century. Additionally, she reflects on her decade with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra performing Bach cantatas, and discusses the essence of being a professional musician as well as her learnings at the OAE.
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Tea with Netty is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s podcast hosted by viola player Annette Isserlis (Netty). Over a cuppa (or something a little stronger…), Netty chats with a variety of conductors, players and other guests as she ‘spills the tea’ on the side of classical music you don’t normally hear.
Available as Apple podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, TuneIn+Alexa

In the final episode of the year, OAE Life President Sir Martin Smith joins Netty for tea. As one of the vital forces behind the OAE's journey, Martin recounts the story of the orchestra's beginnings, sharing his earliest memories and reviewing how the OAE has evolved over the years. Together, they celebrate the profound impact the orchestra has made on the music scene and communities today.
Martin, the former chairman of the Board, has been instrumental in providing substantial support to the OAE and rallying new supporters. He shares his passion for music, in particularly conducting and fondly recalls the moment he first conducted the OAE during a special occasion. Martin's life is filled with intriguing anecdotes, including a serendipitous encounter with his wife, Lady Elise Smith OBE, on the other side of the globe.
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Tea with Netty is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s podcast hosted by viola player Annette Isserlis (Netty). Over a cuppa (or something a little stronger…), Netty chats with a variety of conductors, players and other guests as she ‘spills the tea’ on the side of classical music you don’t normally hear.
Available as Apple podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, TuneIn+Alexa

In this episode, tenor Hugo Hymas welcomes Netty into his cosy cottage for a tea and chat. They explore how he adapts his voice when collaborating with others, the routines that help him prepare for a performance, and the vocal hero who inspires him.
Former Rising Star of the Enlightenment, Hugo reflects on his lively upbringing in Cambridge, where childhood pantomimes fuelled his love for the stage. He talks about his recent virtuosic tenor appearance with the OAE in Handel's Solomon and shares his creative pursuits beyond singing, such as conducting. 
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Tea with Netty is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s podcast hosted by viola player Annette Isserlis (Netty). Over a cuppa (or something a little stronger…), Netty chats with a variety of conductors, players and other guests as she ‘spills the tea’ on the side of classical music you don’t normally hear.
Available as Apple podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, TuneIn+Alexa