Duo Destino to mark new album with Waterperry Gardens concert

Virtuoso guitar duo Duo Destino will return to Oxfordshire this summer for a one-night concert at Waterperry Gardens, marking the release of their new album, Classical Corner.

Duo Destino will celebrate the release of their new album with a special outdoor concert at Waterperry Gardens.

The guitar duo, made up of Ben Bruant and Will Cashel, will perform at Waterperry Amphitheatre on Saturday 4 July, in what organisers say is expected to be close to a full house.

The concert will mark the arrival of Classical Corner, an album that sees the duo return to the classical repertoire that first brought them together as students at the Royal Academy of Music.

More than 270 tickets have already been sold, according to the announcement, with final remaining tickets available.

A return to classical roots

Classical Corner is being described as a significant artistic homecoming for the duo.

After years of exploring flamenco, Latin, pop and contemporary influences, the album brings Bruant and Cashel back to the classical guitar music that shaped their early partnership.

The record spans four centuries of composition, with pieces chosen to show the expressive range and versatility of the classical guitar. Some works have been newly arranged, while others have been reimagined for the duo’s two-guitar sound.

Will Cashel said: “Classical Corner is the album we’ve been wanting to make for years.

“It gathers the music that shaped us, the pieces that made us fall in love with the guitar in the first place.

“These works have grown with us throughout our career, evolving alongside us from our earliest days at the Royal Academy to the musicians we are today.”

Ben Bruant added: “This album is a tribute to the classical guitar in all its colours.

“These pieces have travelled with us for over a decade, and hearing them come alive in such a beautiful setting like Waterperry Gardens will be a moment we’ll never forget.”

Who are Duo Destino?

Duo Destino are known for combining classical precision with flamenco energy, Latin rhythms, pop arrangements and percussive guitar techniques.

Bruant, from Le Havre in France, trained at the Conservatoire National de Paris before moving to London. Cashel, from Bath, was a Purcell School scholar and later studied at the Royal Northern College of Music.

The pair met in 2011 while studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London and have since performed across the UK and internationally.

Their credits include appearances at Glastonbury Festival, the Liverpool Philharmonic, Goodwood, the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Festival d’Avignon.

From garden concerts to national attention

During the pandemic, Duo Destino became widely known for their Gigs in Your Garden project.

The initiative saw the duo perform 70 free outdoor concerts for NHS and frontline workers, drawing national media attention and introducing their music to a wider audience.

Since then, they have continued to build a following through live performances, streaming and recordings, including Destino and Destino – Live.

Their concerts are known for warmth and humour as much as technical skill, with fast fingerwork, rhythmic tapping on the guitar body and arrangements that make two instruments sound much larger than expected.

Why Waterperry Gardens is a fitting setting

Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley, has become a regular home for outdoor arts and music events in Oxfordshire.

The venue is known for its gardens, plant centre, gallery, museum, tea shop and summer programme of performances, including music and opera events.

The amphitheatre setting should suit a concert built around acoustic colour, close listening and the visual appeal of a summer evening performance.

For Oxfordshire audiences, the concert also marks Duo Destino’s return to a county where they have built a loyal following over several years.

What audiences can expect

Waterperry’s current listing describes the concert as Duo Destino – Flamenco Fusion, with a programme blending Latin-inspired music and familiar melodies reimagined for two guitars.

The album-launch announcement adds that the evening will also celebrate Classical Corner, with music connected to the duo’s classical roots.

Audiences can therefore expect a mix of virtuoso guitar playing, classical repertoire, rhythmic invention and the genre-crossing arrangements that have become part of Duo Destino’s style.

FAQs

When is Duo Destino performing at Waterperry Gardens?

The official Waterperry Gardens listing currently gives the concert date as Saturday 4 July 2026, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Where is the concert taking place?

The concert is taking place at Waterperry Amphitheatre, Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley, Oxfordshire.

What is Classical Corner?

Classical Corner is Duo Destino’s new album, described as a return to the classical guitar repertoire that first brought Ben Bruant and Will Cashel together.

Who are Duo Destino?

Duo Destino are guitarists Ben Bruant and Will Cashel. They met at the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2011 and are known for combining classical guitar, flamenco, Latin, pop and percussive techniques.

What kind of music will they play?

Audiences can expect virtuoso guitar music drawing on classical, flamenco, Latin and contemporary influences, with the concert also marking the release of Classical Corner.

Are tickets still available?

The announcement says more than 270 tickets have already been sold, with final remaining tickets available. Visitors should check the live ticketing page for current availability.

Where can people book?

Tickets can be booked through the Waterperry Gardens event page.