Sublime string quartets from two classical greats to be performed in county where one of them lived

Violinists David Le Page and Cathy Leech, viola player Lisanne Melchior and cellist Clare O’Connell, from CHROMA chamber ensemble, will perform the great works.

They will bring Haydn’s late quartet Op 77 no. 1, a selection of Dvorak’s evocative Cypresses and his famous American Quartet to life.

CHROMA spokesman Clare O’Connell said: “We have a very loyal core audience now, but we are always working to expand it.

“These concerts are not generally helped financially in any way by funding bodies – they are self supporting.

“The concerts are always relaxed friendly and informal, with lots of chatting about the music or storytelling.

“Crucially the space has a bar so our audience can enjoy a drink while being transported off to Bohemia – or in this concert’s case America.”

Haydn himself has a connection to the Hertfordshire area. He lived in Hertingfordbury, near Hertford in the east of the county, from August to September 1791 at the home of the banker Nathaniel Brassey.

He wrote his famous Symphony No 94 – The Surprise – during his stay at the property, which unlike any of his other UK residences still stands today.

To buy tickets to the Berkhamsted concert, costing from £10 to £15, call Clare on 01442 862953.

You can also buy them with cash or a cheque from Luminous and Vogue in the town’s Lower Kings Road.