Image: (c) Explosures
First published 24 April 2026
Roger Mayhew, who died peacefully on 15 March following a courageous battle with illness, and whose funeral was held at Clifton College in Bristol on 21 April, was a loyal supporter of Arcangelo and a committed member of our board of trustees.
Following retirement from a successful career in finance, Roger returned with vigour to his childhood love of music, supporting numerous ensembles and companies as audience member, donor and trustee. Recordings were a particular passion, and Arcangelo first benefited from Roger's energies when he ringmastered the fundraising for our two albums of Handel arias with Christopher Purves (Finest Arias for Base Voice,Volumes 1 and 2).
Roger's growing awareness of Arcangelo and Jonny's commitment to recordings of Baroque repertoire (which Roger so especially appreciated) led him to join our board as a trustee in 2019. It was a key moment for our fundraising efforts, with a new recording of Handel's Brockes Passion requiring a then-unprecedented £45,000 appeal. Roger's belief in the importance of the project, and his limitless capacity for enthusing others, were key to the success of that appeal and to subsequent appeals including two further Handel albums: Theodora and a first volume of 'Chandos' Anthems. Crucially, Roger understood and appreciated that what really mattered was that people came to see and hear the music live: nobody worked harder to attract new visitors to our concerts from among their personal friends and contacts.
Friends and friendship were central to Roger's life and it was typical of his generosity that his instinct with friends was to share and not hoard them. Getting to know Roger entailed getting to know many more people from various walks of life, and the start of new friendships and associations. His funeral was attended by former schoolmates and student friends, colleagues and clients, and fellow concert-goers, play-goers, walkers and sailors, for whom Roger had prepared not just a fine service but a sumptuous Requiem concert, with beautiful performances of music by Henry Purcell, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons.
Rest in peace, dear Roger, and thank you.
Roger's family invite donations, if desired, to Brain Tumour Research or The Worshipful Company of Musicians Charitable Fund.