Violin with high-quality backing tracks: |
1 x 45 minutes set: £295 |
2 x 45 minutes sets: £397 |
3 x 45 minute sets: £496 |
With Piano: |
With Piano (duo)-1 x 45 minutes set: £496 |
With Piano (duo)-2 x 45 minutes sets: £726 |
With Piano (duo)-3 x 45 minutes sets: £895 |
Weddings: |
Wedding ceremony: £375 |
Wedding ceremony + 1 x 45 minute set drinks/reception: £558 |
Wedding ceremony + 2 x 45 minute sets drinks/reception: £629 |
DJ service/background music between sets: FREE Recording of 1 track (for example, when walking down the aisle) on bespoke: £100 |
Chris Violinista-an experienced, talented and qualified violinist, offering deeply emotive performances.
Chris Violinista enjoys playing pieces that convey significance and emotion to his listeners. He has played at numerous weddings, celebrations, concerts and other events. He plays a variety of genres and styles, including pop, easy-listening, jazz and classical.
He particularly enjoys playing for weddings as his style matches the significance and poignance of the day.
Chris’ main goal is to employ his touch, sensitivity and virtuosism to provide a performance that you will remember, although he is happy offering more subtle background music-you can choose.
He has had many listeners come up to him after a performance and describe how moved they have been by his playing.
He plays from memory (no unsightly music stands!) and has a unique ability to improvise. He is happy performing requests, whatever style it may be.
Chris has been playing violin since the age of 5 when he first started learning violin and piano. At the age of 10 he embarked on a rigorous 10-year violin diploma at the Italian Conservatoire which granted him the highest of standards of technique and sound. He continued his studies at the contemporary music academy Nexus which supplied him with an enviable breadth of experience across both classical and popular music. He has played over a period of 20 years in orchestras, ensembles and bands.
He continues to work on his performing, including attending masterclasses from the likes of Jason Rebello (Sting, Jeff Beck), Mo Pleasure (Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles), grammy-award winning Snarky Puppy and David Newton (Alan Barnes).
Having studied in Italy, the historical heart of the violin, Chris combines classical technique with a richness of sound honed over many years, to offer a broad offering that spans pop, jazz, easy listening and crossover. A lot of his repertoire contains crooner classics from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. In fact you can expect him to turn up looking like one of the Rat Pack: suited and booted with a hat to complete the look.
He can perform as a soloist (with high quality backing tracks), as a duo with a pianist and in other combinations. Importantly, he is also an exceptional pianist. He has performed at many events, playing background music, ceremonial music and light-hearted jazz and soul. So you can book him for both instruments (played separately of course!).
Thanks to his extensive experience in this area, Chris can perform hymns, worship songs and gospel tunes for the ceremony.
Chris is an experienced performer but is also a music teacher with over 12 years’ experience, teaching piano, music theory and production. He holds a degree in the communication area and various teaching qualifications.
He has also performed in orchestras, played and toured in France, Italy and in the British Isles. Chris has experience in recording (Steve Glen, Matt Cossey, Yellow Rattle Studios/Steve Genewick).
Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire
I won't give up-Jason Mraz
Mac the Knife-Bobby Darin
Message in a bottle-Police/Sting
You Raise me up-Westlife/Josh Groban
Fields of Gold-Sting
Happy Birthday-Traditional
Shape of my Heart-Sting
Young at heart-Frank Sinatra
Somewhere over the rainbow-Judy Garland/Eva Cassidy
Time to say goodbye-Andrea Bocelli/Sarah Brightman
That's amore-Frank Sinatra
Volare-Domenico Modugno
Viva la Vida-Coldplay
Every breath you take-Sting
Misty-Ella Fitzgerald
Englishman in New York-Sting
Galway Girl-Ed Sheeran
Shape of you-Ed Sheeran
Symphony-Clean Bandit
Feeling good-Muse
Fly me to the moon-Frank Sinatra
Moon river-Frank Sinatra
Moves like jagger-Maroon 5
What a Wonderful World-Louis Armstrong
Wake me up-Avicii
Tu vo’ fa l'Americano-Renato Carosone/Covered by Yolanda Be Cool
My way-Frank Sinatra
Rather Be-Clean Bandit
How deep is your Love-Bee Gees
Various tracks-Pat Metheny
Canon in D-Pachelbel
Air on G string-J.S. Bach
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring-Bach
Gabriel's oboe-Morricone
Bridal Chorus (Here comes the bride)-Wagner
I know and have performed a large amount of songs and pieces, so if you would like to add some requests, please do contact me as I can quickly prepare or learn new content.
I need at least 2m x 2m with close access to a power point (2 power sockets preferred).
Yes, I provide an amp' or PA.
I will consider using the venue's own sound system subject to certain conditions.
I would need to have a complete address and any information on the ideal place to unload the vehicle (eg nearest door, etc).
Yes, I can provide background music from Spotify or another source of your choice (eg phone, CD, ipod) in between sets.
We can select music or you can specify.
I have played at Wembley Stadium and also at the Royal Albert Hall. But the best venues have often been the smaller, more intimate ones.
Probably the most recent and memorable gig was a close friend's brother's baptism. I wrote a piece for it which I finished the night before I flew out to Italy. The ceremony was in a private church part of a hamlet in a stunning location in central Italy.
The audience were wowed by the music and I received excellent feedback.
-My greatest influences are: Sting, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Bill Cantos, Jason Rebello, U2, Simply Red, Simon & Garfunkel, Bach, Vivaldi
-My favourite artists: Gregory Porter, Stevie Wonder, Incognito, Tom Misch, Jarrod Lawson, Sting, Clean Bandit
-My greatest song of all time: Lovely Day (Bill Withers) but there are many others!..
I was probably 10 years old when I first had my public gig. I accompanied an operatic singer in a condominium lobby in Italy! I had probably had a couple of recitals before that.
Since then I have played with orchestras, choirs, gospel choirs, ensembles, function bands, duos, DJ Orchestra acts, etc.
I have played at a variety of events and enjoyed most of them!
However, I like playing the most at events that are of significance and host an emotional importance in which I can 'tie a bow' of exquisiteness and leave a message of beauty. The most important are: weddings, ceremonies and yes, funerals.
I take pride in what I wear and in my presentation overall.
I generally dress very smart, which means wearing a suit, a bow tie or tie and sometimes a small extra bit of flair like a coloured hankerchief, etc.
I often wear a hat, as this is part of my signature style.
Sometimes, if I feel it fits the event, I dress smart-casual which I think is increasingly appropriate and appreciated.
I am bilingual in Italian and English.
I also speak fluent French.
I can understand and speak some basic Spanish.
Yes, I pride myself in being flexible, within reason.
Examples might be moving the starting time due to changes in the timeflow (eg guests are held back in traffic or at the church) or making one set list longer than another due to the flow of events or mood.
But please do discuss details in advance so that we can arrange things best for your event.
In general, I like to arrive in good time for most events.
My setup times are: around 30 mins for set up and around 25 mins for set down.
I typically perform for 45 minutes with a 15 minute break. But I am flexible and can play for a bit less or longer depending on how the event is going, general atmosphere/vibe and so on.
Yes, but subject to conditions such as: wind must be limited (especially if using a mic) and humidity low (no rain due to the nature of antique instruments).
Electric supply nearby is essential.
Shade is preferred but not essential.
I have a set list and repertoire but I will always try to tailor the music to the event, setting and atmosphere. Clients can also offer an indication of what kind of feel and vibe there are looking for.
I do accept requests. Please give plenty of notice in order to arrange backing tracks. A fee will normally be applied.
Clients normally describe my playing as emotional, moving and passionate.
My playing is often considered emotional and passionate but I also try hard to choose pieces that fit the moment.
My repertoire also includes up-beat songs like Wake me Up, Americano or Volare.
All private clients
-Wembley Stadium
-Royal Albert Hall
-Sage Newcastle (Glasshouse)
-The Bentley (London 5* hotel)
-The Ned (London 5* hotel)
-St Albans Arena
-Watford Colosseum
-Fanhams Hall
-Ware Priory
-Great Fosters
-Auberge du Lac (Brocket Hall)
-The Fosters
-Greenbelt Festival
-All Souls/Langham Place
-Offley Place (piano)
-Various venues in France and Italy, including Umbria Jazz (Berklee Clinics)