Zeb Soanes presents Notes From Downing Street, a new initiative showcasing music from the UK's world-class performing arts organisations in the very heart of government. Tonight, a programme from Welsh National Opera will include Tchaikovsky’s Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin and Massenet’s Meditation from Thais.

CLASSIC FM

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Zeb Soanes

Mar 22

The King's Centre, Norwich

Gaspard's Foxtrot (2.30pm)

The King's Centre, Norwich

Gaspard boards the Number 38 bus and sets off on a musical adventure through the sights, sounds and smells on London. This tale in the delightful Gaspard the Fox series is narrated by the book’s author, Zeb Soanes with live on-stage illustration by James Mayhew. The perfect way to introduce children to a live orchestra through images and storytelling.

NORFOLK CHILDREN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL

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The King's Centre, Norwich

Mar 22

The King's Centre, Norwich

Gaspard's Foxtrot (4.30pm)

The King's Centre, Norwich

Gaspard boards the Number 38 bus and sets off on a musical adventure through the sights, sounds and smells on London. This tale in the delightful Gaspard the Fox series is narrated by the book’s author, Zeb Soanes with live on-stage illustration by James Mayhew. The perfect way to introduce children to a live orchestra through images and storytelling.

NORFOLK CHILDREN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL

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The King's Centre, Norwich

Apr 4

Ipswich Institute

Suffolk Book League

Ipswich Institute

Zeb Soanes will talk about his writing life, especially his charming bestselling Gaspard books for children, inspired by Zeb’s own encounters with an urban fox. Recently two of the Gaspard books have been conceived as orchestral concert works, sometimes narrated by Zeb himself.

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE

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Ipswich Institute

May 28

Worcester Cathedral

Paddington Bear's First Concert

Worcester Cathedral

The annual Elgar for Everyone family concert brings together over 100 young musicians from across Elgar Country to perform alongside their teachers and mentors from English Symphony Orchestra, following 2 days of rehearsals and workshops.

We’re delighted to welcome presenter and author Zeb Soanes from Classic FM who will be both hosting and narrating the story of Paddington's First Concert. An uplifting event not to be missed!

ELGAR FESTIVAL

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Worcester Cathedral

Betjeman's Banana Blush: 50th Anniversary

Jun 14

St James Garickhythe, City of London

Betjeman's Banana Blush: 50th Anniversary

St James Garickhythe, City of London

A toe-tapping celebration of Betjeman’s verse, set to music by BAFTA winning composer Jim Parker (House of Cards, Foyle’s War), performed by Zeb Soanes (Classic FM) and the Chris Warner Ensemble.

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St James Garickhythe, City of London

My Beloved Man: The Letters of Britten and Pears

Aug 2

Royal Concertgebouw, Amsterdam

My Beloved Man: The Letters of Britten and Pears

Royal Concertgebouw, Amsterdam

Behold the life and love of Britten and Pears in this performance featuring readings of their letters to each other, paired with choral music from the LGBT+ chamber ensemble The Fourth Choir. Readings by Zeb Soanes (Classic FM)

THE FOURTH CHOIR

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Royal Concertgebouw, Amsterdam

More Events ➞

Latest News

News

11 Feb 2025

Brian Cox & Nicole Ansari on Bach play 'The Score'

11 Feb 2025

Multi-award winning star of 'Succession' Brian Cox and actor Nicole Ansari join Classic FM's Zeb Soanes to discuss their roles as J.S. Bach and Anna Magdalena Bach in the upcoming stage play, 'The Score'. Written by Oliver Cotton and directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, the play comprises Bach's life and work at the court of the musical royal - and 'flawed flautist' - Frederick the Great.

CLASSIC FM

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11 Feb 2025

22 Nov 2024

Cynthia Erivo on singing, stunts and Defying Gravity in 'Wicked'

22 Nov 2024

For Classic FM, Zeb talked to Cynthia Erivo, arguably one of the biggest stars on the planet just now, on the release of the film Wicked and her gravity defying performance as Elphaba.

CLASSIC FM

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22 Nov 2024

Fundraising complete for Lowestoft's Britten as a Boy statue

22 Nov 2024

On Benjamin Britten’s birthday, Zeb announced that the fundraising target for his hometown statue of Benjamin Britten has been reached. The statue will be unveiled summer 2025.

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22 Nov 2024

5 Jul 2024

Sir Simon Russell Beale's Life in Music with Zeb Soanes

5 Jul 2024

In this exclusive concert, recorded at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, Sir Simon talked to Zeb about the highlights of his career, and how music has marked them.

CLASSIC FM

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5 Jul 2024

29 Mar 2024

Dame Judi's Classical Favourites with Zeb Soanes

29 Mar 2024

Dame Judi Dench welcomes Zeb Soanes into her home, to reveal her favourite pieces of classical music. In an exclusive programme for Classic FM, broadcast on Good Friday, Judi tells Zeb how she has treasured this music, connected to her long and glittering life and career.

CLASSIC FM

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29 Mar 2024

1 Feb 2024

Zeb's Classic FM show attracts 1.3 million listeners each week

1 Feb 2024

The latest RAJAR figures have been announced and 158,000 new listeners are joining Zeb for three hours of relaxing music each evening from 7-10pm on Classic FM, making a total audience of 1.3 million for his show each week.

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1 Feb 2024

13 Oct 2023

Doctor Soanes

13 Oct 2023

Zeb was awarded and Honorary Doctorate from the University of Suffolk for his ‘outstanding contribution to education, music, media, literature and very public endorsement and celebration of Suffolk.’

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13 Oct 2023

9 Oct 2023

Zeb hosts Wigmore Hall gala that raises £20,000 for hometown statue of 'Britten as a Boy'

9 Oct 2023

Zeb hosts a star-studded gala at Wigmore hall, raising £20,000 for his home town’s Britten as a Boy statue.

WIGMORE HALL

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9 Oct 2023

21 Jul 2023

The History of Music

21 Jul 2023

Zeb explains The History of Music … with arguably the smartest explanation of Schoenberg you’ll ever see!

RAINER HERSCH ORCHESTRA

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21 Jul 2023

6 Jul 2023

Listen to Gaspard's Foxtrot!

6 Jul 2023

You can now listen to the musical tale of Gaspard’s Foxtrot, read by its author Zeb Soanes, accompanied by Jonathan Dove’s exciting score.

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA

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6 Jul 2023

19 Apr 2023

Zeb to host Britten statue gala at Wigmore Hall

19 Apr 2023

Zeb will host a '“dazzling" gala celebrating the musical legacy of his home town's most famous son at the Wigmore Hall later this year. It will take place as part of an ongoing appeal to raise funds to install a statue of Benjamin Britten, as a boy, looking out over the sea that inspired his music in his birth town of Lowestoft.

LOWESTOFT JOURNAL

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19 Apr 2023

1 Dec 2022

Waitrose Food Magazine

1 Dec 2022

Zeb talks abut the power of radio to provide companionship over the festive period.

WAITROSE FOOD MAGAZINE

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1 Dec 2022

23 Nov 2022

It the Shoes Fit

23 Nov 2022

Royalty, James Bond and a lame dog have all benefitted from John Lobb’s exquisite shoe-making craftsmanship during the past 173 years, says Zeb Soanes.

COUNTRY LIFE

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23 Nov 2022

5 Nov 2022

Zeb Soanes become Norwich Puppet Theatre Patron

5 Nov 2022

The broadcaster and children's author Zeb Soanes has become a patron of Norwich Puppet Theatre.

BBC NEWS

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5 Nov 2022

20 Oct 2022

Homeless charity benefits from Gaspard's Christmas

20 Oct 2022

Inspired by J.M. Barrie’s generosity, Zeb announces that royalties from the sale of his new book Gaspard’s Christmas will benefit St Martin-in-the-Fields homeless charity in perpetuity.

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20 Oct 2022

22 Aug 2022

Meet Britten as a boy

22 Aug 2022

After a lifetime of benevolent haunting by the composer Benjamin Britten, Zeb Soanes has commissioned a statue of his home-town hero.

COUNTRY LIFE

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22 Aug 2022

9 Aug 2022

Face Behind the Voice

9 Aug 2022

‘I want to visit all the locations of the shipping forecast’. David McGillivray interviews Zeb Soanes for Radio Times magazine.

RADIO TIMES

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9 Aug 2022

3 Aug 2022

London Life: The Capital According to Zeb Soanes

3 Aug 2022

The broadcaster and children’s author talks to Flora Watkins about finding inspiration in Islington and buzzing about on his Brompton.

COUNTRY LIFE

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3 Aug 2022

Popular radio presenter and author inspires pupils at former school

24 Jul 2022

A popular broadcaster, author and newsreader who grew up in Lowestoft has returned to his home town to help inspire children at his former school.

LOWESTOFT JOURNAL

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24 Jul 2022

28 Jun 2022

Zeb Soanes joins Classic FM

28 Jun 2022

Zeb joins Classic FM to present Smooth Classics at 7

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28 Jun 2022

11 May 2022

Country Life Magazine Celebrates 125 Years

11 May 2022

Zeb met HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at a celebration of 125yrs of Country life Magazine at Claridges Hotel.

COUNTRY LIFE

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11 May 2022

Leaving the BBC

11 May 2022

On Thursday, 30th June, after reading Radio 4’s Six O’clock News, I will leave Broadcasting House for the last time as a full-time member of staff …

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11 May 2022

24 Apr 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub

24 Apr 2022

“Intriguing, humorous, full of adventure…a book that is simply, deeply magical in every way.”

GOOD READS

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24 Apr 2022

Review of Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub

24 Apr 2022

“A brilliantly musical children's book by Zeb Soanes, the book oozes a sense of mystery and encourages readers to be curious and adventurous.”

MUSIC TEACHER MAGAZINE

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24 Apr 2022

29 Dec 2021

Country Life: My Favourite Painting

29 Dec 2021

Zeb chose Julia, Lady Peel by Thomas Lawrence for Country Life magazine’s Christmas issue.

COUNTRY LIFE

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29 Dec 2021

13 Jul 2021

Zeb Soanes' readings particularly memorable...

13 Jul 2021

A review of a concert by the award-winning ORA Singers and BBC Radio 4 presenter Zeb Soanes, conducted by the choir’s founder, Suzi Digby (Lady Eatwell)

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

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13 Jul 2021

19 Mar 2021

Ticket to Ride Podcast

19 Mar 2021

Zeb Soanes is a newsreader, actor and writer, known to millions as one of the most recognisable voices of BBC Radio 4 who has guided us around the Shipping Forecast for over a decade. From New Year in Norfolk to a near-disaster at Buxton Opera House via a trip to the West Coast of America, Zeb is our travel companion for this week’s episode.

Created and Presented by Nick Evans

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19 Mar 2021

7 Mar 2021

World Book Day Release for Gaspard's Foxtrot

7 Mar 2021

March 4th is World Book Day and amongst the new releases is Zeb Soanes’ new book Gaspard’s Foxtrot. Jonathan Dove has teamed up with Zeb to write a 30-minute concert work for narrator and orchestra based on the book that will be premiered this year at the Three Choirs Festival.

IKON ARTS - EDITION PETERS

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7 Mar 2021

20 Feb 2021

New representation by Edition Peters Artist Management

20 Feb 2021

Zeb Soanes, known to millions as the voice of BBC Radio 4’s news and the iconic shipping forecast, has joined the roster of Ikon Arts – Edition Peters as narrator.

EDITION PETERS

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20 Feb 2021

21 Nov 2020

Mediaeval Carols CD

21 Nov 2020

Zeb narrates a concert of spellbinding Mediaeval Carols and readings in this new double CD, out for Christmas from Opus Anglicanum.

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21 Nov 2020

More Stories ➞

Zeb Soanes

London

zeb@zebsoanes.com

Represented for Radio and Television: Jackie Gill ∣ Books: Curtis Brown ∣ Concerts: Podium Music ∣ Voiceover: Ad Voice ∣ Live Events: Gordon Poole Agency