by David Sonin Lauderdale House has long been a valuable platform for young musicians on the career ladder. Not only has the Highgate Hill venue promoted its own events, it has also welcomed other promoters events to use this popular facility. Last week it hosted Entr

Lauderdale House has long been a valuable platform for young musicians on the career ladder. Not only has the Highgate Hill venue promoted its own events, it has also welcomed other promoters' events to use this popular facility.

Last week it hosted Entr'acte: Shaping The Curve - an ensemble of saxophone and string quartet focusing on sounds of Britain from medieval times to Henry Purcell and on to Michael Nyman's contemporary rhythms. Tickets for the concert, starting at 8pm, are £9.50 (concessions £6.50) from 08700 131812 or now@bbc.co.uk.

On Sunday, March 18 at 7.30pm, Opera Luminosa offers a concert to brighten up a winter night with a programme of duets and arias from operas by Handel, Mozart, Bellini and Puccini performed by soprano Penelope Alexander, mezzo Eleni Katerini and pianist Brian Benedict. Tickets on the door are £10 (concessions £8) with a drink included.

On Friday, March 23 at 8pm, mezzo-soprano Susanne Mecklenburg and pianist William Hancox perform Songs from the Mediterranean with music by Ben-Haim, Bizet, Guridi, Ravel and Respighi. Tickets, priced £10, are available on 01865 243889.

Lauderdale House's own series of Family Friendly Concerts have a strong following within and without the locality. They are sponsored by Marksons Pianos and the Elias Fawcett Trust and are aimed at music lovers who enjoy hearing new talent and savouring the historic house's relaxed atmosphere.

Importantly, young people are most welcome. All the concerts start at 11.30 am and last about an hour. The box office opens at 11am and Lauderdale's popular café is open all day.

The March programme opens on March 4 with the Ensemble Suavis - Amanda Moore, flute, Julia White, oboe, and Florence Nisbet, guitar - who will perform a selection of Latin American works for flute, oboe and guitar trio. Tickets are £7 (concessions £5, school children £1).

On Sunday, March 25, there will be a performance by the Karelia Players, a north London ensemble that performs a wide range of repertoire for oboe and strings. They are all graduates of London's major music conservatoires and exponents of classical and new chamber music. Local composer and viola player Alexis Bennett studied composition for screen at the Royal College of Music and the concert will include his recently completed work High Tide Thames.