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Charles Avison was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1709. A composer, conductor, organist and writer of music, he is considered to be the most important English concerto composer of the 18th century. 

As the 18th-century's leading English concerto composer, Charles Avison was strongly influenced by Francesco Geminiani, who in turn owed much to his own teacher, Arcangelo Corelli.  This lecture will explore some of the influences on Avison's musical style, and set it alongside the works of other leading concerto composers, including Vivaldi, Handel and Bach.

Eric Cross joined the staff at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1978, where he is now Professor of Culture and Music and Dean of Cultural Affairs. His research has focussed on the Italian Baroque, in particular the operas of Vivaldi, a number of which he has edited for their first performances in modern times.  He is also a founder of the Newcastle Early Music Festival and conductor of the Newcastle Bach Choir and Cappella Novocastriensis.