Saturday 7 March 2.30pm – c.3.30pm
£10 (£8 concessions | £3 students)

Johan Lofving – 19th Century Guitar

University of York Baroque+ Day 2026: Friendship and Obsession

This year, the University of York’s annual takeover of NCEM takes you on a magical tour: from the 18th century horticultural craze, to the ‘guitar mania’ of the early 19th century, to the legendary Devil’s Tavern on Fleet St, where the obsession was music itself as Handel’s musical rivals gathered to share their latest compositions…

Join University of York PhD candidate Johan Löfving on a musical tour of the world of Catharina Pratten, one of the most fascinating musical figures in Victorian London.

Born in Germany in 1824, Pratten spent most of her life in London where she was a widely-respected teacher and performer of the guitar. When she passed away in 1895 she had not only composed numerous pieces for the instrument but also published ingenious and imaginative method books.

In this musical matinee, Johan will tell Pratten’s story through her own music and pieces by her contemporaries from the London guitar scene, including Johann Abraham Nüske (1796-1865), Trinidad Huerta (1800-1874) and Giulio Regondi (1822-1872).

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to experience the magical sounds of an original 19th century guitar!

Please note there is a £1.50 administration fee per transaction.