A PRIZEWINNING string quartet is the first offering in a series of classical concerts being staged in partnership with the University of Portsmouth.

Leading British act, the Doric String Quartet, will be playing music by Haydn, Ades and Schumann at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday, October 19 as part of the Portsmouth Chamber Music Series.

One musician will be notable by his absence this year, however.

Peter Cropper – leader of the Lindsay String Quartet and founder of Music in the Round, the organisation that gave rise to the Portsmouth series – was to have appeared on November 16, but died suddenly in May.

His place will now be taken by Benjamin Nabarro, leader of Music in the Round’s resident group, Ensemble 360, in a special concert to celebrate his life and work.

It was Peter’s efforts to secure an Arts Council grant that allowed the well-established Portsmouth series to go ahead in 2004.

The series of six concerts – all staged in the round – has been organised by the University in partnership with Portsmouth Cultural Trust, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Music in the Round.

Chamber Music Series, 2015/16:

Doric String Quartet (October 19), with music by Haydn, Ades and Schumann

A Celebration of Peter Cropper (November 16), with music by Schubert and Beethoven

Ensemble 360 (January 18), with music by Schubert and Ligeti

Piatti Quartet (February 15), with music by Mozart, Bartok and Beethoven

Trio Martinu (April 25), with music by Martinu, Haydn and Dvorak

Matthew Barley (May 23), with cello music by Brahms, Beethoven, Schumann and Janacek.

All performances begin at 7.30pm. For tickets and information call the Guildhall box office on 0844 453 9028 or visit portsmouthguildhall.org.uk.