Tea with Netty

Development Director Harry Hickmore joins Netty backstage at the 2026/27 Season Opener at Queen Elizabeth Hall to talk fundraising, music and community.
Harry reflects on the experiences that led him to the OAE, the role music education plays in shaping young lives and the lasting impact of the Orchestra’s residency at Acland Burghley School. He shares memories of his own musical beginnings, explains why building future audiences starts today and reveals how it’s almost impossible for him to step outside without bumping into someone from the OAE community. Plus, there’s discussion of Harry’s love of hosting and some ambitious plans for joint swimming lessons with Netty.
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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

Soprano Hilary Cronin joins Netty for a tea and chat in the basement of the University Women's Club. They talk about catching the 'music bug' growing up in a musical family, Hilary's fondness for the clarinet, and the joys of bringing different characters to life from costumes and wigs to finding the right outfit.
Hilary Cronin revisits her early memories of performing in pantomimes, alongside ballet, tap and jazz lessons that fuelled her love of performing. She talks about singing in choirs and as a soloist in different settings, her work with the OAE on baroque repertoire, and her hopes of exploring new repertoire and trying something different. 
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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

OAE leader and violinist Huw Daniel joins Netty for a special 'Teepee with Netty' episode. In the sunny fields of Sussex, they chat about his time in Cambridge as an organ scholar before playing the violin, and his work as a master of reconstructing scores including Bach's Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor. They're also joined by a few woolly friends!

Huw is also a member of the Irish Baroque Orchestra and spent 17 years playing with Orquestra Barroca Casa da Música in Porto, Portugal. While living in Edinburgh, he shares some fun stories about his determination and creative problem-solving when it came to finding alternative travel routes in and out of the country when the original plan fell through - we could all learn a thing or two!
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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

Tenor Nicholas Mulroy, aka 'Sammy' joins Netty for the next episode. He reveals the story behind his nickname, reflects on his musical journey as a chorister before branching out into jazz and rock bands, including performing in a tribute band to 'The Doors', and shares how an inspiring Spanish teacher and a trip to Granada in his teenage years sparked a lifelong passion for languages.

Nicholas is also Associate Director of the Dunedin Consort. After reading languages at university, he returned to singing in his postgraduate studies and has since built a wide ranging career. Most recently, his musical interests have led him to explore programmes that combine 20th century Cuban music with works by Purcell and Monteverdi. They also discuss conductor John Butt's 'Hoover' effect on Bach and Handel's music and share memorable stories with Bach's St Matthew Passion, including an unforgettable shoe mishap.
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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 latest episode, Netty returns to OAE headquarters at Acland Burghley School to chat with Chief Operating Officer Edward Shaw. From studying Botany and working in the vineyards of Burgundy to teaching English in Bordeaux, Edward shares the fascinating and unconventional path that led him to the Orchestra, bringing a unique perspective to his role as COO.
Edward's role spans a wide range of responsibilities from HR, governance, health and safety to supporting every department across the organisation and helping the OAE navigate whatever comes next. He reflects on the joys of being based in a school, working alongside students, watching their development and helping to inspire the next generation's discovery of the classical music world. Outside the office, Edward's passions range from wine and baking to making soup for musicians, identifying birds by their call and playing the viola.

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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