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SUMMERFESTIVAL

OF THE YEAR Fun in the sun:

combine listening and leisure at Bath

The best classical music festivals here and abroad. WORDS BY CHARLOTTE GARDNER

FESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

If these are lean times, no one’s telling the people behind this country’s summer music festivals. To save you checking them all yourself, we’ve chosen the best and brightest and selected the Music Festival of the Year. And the winner is (cue drum roll): Bath International Music Festival.

Any festival with the sparklingly musical, imaginative and innovative Joanna MacGregor as artistic director is always going to attract notice. She has concocted an unforgettable musical experience: folk music brought accessibly up into high art, challenging classical repertoire made exciting and unscary and core repertoire done with panache. Read our summary of this exciting festival on page 63. But if that doesn’t entice you, there has to be a festival among the 55 others around the UK and Ireland – and 10 more around the world – over the following pages that surely will. Have a great summer.

LONDONSOUTHSOUTH WESTMIDLANDS & EAST ANGLIANORTHWALESSCOTLAND & IRELANDINTERNATIONAL

CONTENTS

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PROMS AT ST JUDE’S18–26 JuneIncluding Dame Felicity Lott and the London International Orchestra in the gem of a church that is St Jude-on-the-hill.■ promsatstjudes.org.uk

KINGS PLACE FESTIVAL8–11 SeptemberOne hundred events, including the London Sinfonietta and The

Brodsky Quartet. All tickets for the bargain price of £4.50 online.■ kingsplace.co.uk

SYDENHAM INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL20 May–26 JuneBased at St Bartholomew’s Church. Includes a celebrity concert with Sir Willard White.■ sydenhammusic.net

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, organist Dame Gillian Weir and vocal ensembles The King’s Singers and The Sixteen all hit the capital this summer

LONDON

CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL27 June–16 July

(with additional free events running into August)This year’s festival focuses on Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. World-renowned Australian guitarist John Williams opens the festival with the English Chamber Orchestra. But it’s the sights and sounds not usually associated with a classical festival that make this one stand out. Didgeridoo player William Barton joins the Choir of Southwark Cathedral in the European premiere of a new version of Peter Sculthorpe’s Requiem. Plus, children turning up to the Family Day on Hampstead Heath

can indulge in a traditional Maori nose-pressing ceremony as they listen to indigenous music. There’s plenty of more traditional classical music too; a highlight is sure to be New Zealand-born organist Dame Gillian Weir performing Saint-Saëns’s Organ Symphony in St Paul’s Cathedral, with the CBSO conducted by Simone Young.■ 0845 120 7502■ colf.org

DON’T MISS…The King’s Singers, Mansion House, 7 July, 7.30pmThe King’s Singers give the premiere of a new work by Elena Kats-Chernin, River’s Lament.

FESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

Don’t look down – the CBSO at St Paul’s

OPERA HOLLAND PARK7 June–13 August Donizetti’s Don Pasquale and Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro scratch the itch for slapstick comedy replete with the usual mistaken identities and thwarted love affairs. Those in search of tender love stories are just as well catered for, with Catalani’s La Wally and Puccini’s La Rondine. But a festival highlight is sure to be Verdi’s horrifying tragedy Rigoletto, directed by the brilliant Lindsay Posner and conducted by Stuart Stratford.■ 0300 999 1000■ operahollandpark.com

LUFTHANSA FESTIVAL OF BAROQUE MUSIC13–21 MayThe festival programme cleverly mixes repertoire favourites with gems from off the beaten track. The former is exemplified by the opening concert, featuring Collegium Vocale Gent and Philippe Herreweghe performing Bach’s Mass in B Minor at St John’s, Smith Square; the latter by Biber’s Requiem, sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell. ■ 020 72221061■ lufthansafestival.org.uk

SPITALFIELDS FESTIVAL10–25 JuneWhether it’s evening concerts, family weekends, or just soaking up the live

open-air music in the market at lunchtime, there’s something to suit all tastes in Spitalfields. The English Concert will be there, plus a festival debut from The Night Shift, the OAE’s brilliant no-rules concert series. There’s also the premiere of a brand-new community opera, We are Shadows by John Barber and Hazel Gould, performed by singers from Spitalfields Music’s Learning and Participation Programme and members of The Sixteen. ■ 020 73771362■ spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk

WIMBLEDON MUSIC FESTIVAL12–27 NovemberOkay, so November isn’t exactly summer, but this years Wimbledon Music Festival is worth stretching the rules of the seasons for. The soloists in the opening performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor are a stellar team, comprised of Nancy Argenta, Michael Chance, Andrew Staples and Roderick Williams. Britten’s Noye’s Flood will be a highlight, with David Wilson-Johnson and Catherine Wyn-Rogers singing Mr and Mrs Noah accompanied by The Brodsky Quartet, and the brilliant Piers Adams on the recorder. ■ 0844 871 7685■ wimbledonmusicfestival.co.uk

Gweneth-Ann Jeffers will appear in La Wally

London International Orchestra at St Jude’s

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DON’T MISS…Friday 27 May, 7.30pm, Dome Concert Hall Violinist Joshua Bell and cellist Steven Isserlis perform Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello.

The OAE will perform Beethoven’s Fidelio this year

A weekend for two at the Brighton Festival. See p109

THE ENGLISH MUSIC FESTIVAL27–30 MayA celebration of English music in the quintessentially English village of Dorchester-upon-Thames. This year the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performs the world premiere of Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Garden of Proserpine.■ englishmusicfestival.org.uk

BLEDINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL7–9 JuneSt Leonard’s Church in the pretty Cotswolds village of Bledington will be hosting performances by clarinettist Sarah Williamson with the Carducci Quartet, guitar duo The Katona Twins and 4 Girls 4 Harps.■ bledingtonmusicfestival.co.uk

OXFORD MAY MUSIC27 April–2 MayJointly directed by violinist Jack Liebeck and Professor Brian Foster (head of particle physics at Oxford University), this festival blends music and science. There’s a lecture on the nature of time followed by a performance of Messaien’s Quartet for the End of Time.■ oxfordmaymusic.co.uk

A period performance at the English Music Festival

SOUTHFESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

Pianists Alfred Brendel, Paul Lewis and Leif Ove Andsnes, violinist Joshua Bell, cellists Steven Isserlis and Julian Lloyd Webber, and a new home for Garsington Opera – the South has it all

GLYNDEBOURNE FESTIVAL OPERA21 May–28 AugustBlack-tie picnics, beautiful gardens, sheep milling bucolically in the background and a state-of-the-art opera house: it could only be Glyndebourne. The season opens with the company’s first-ever staging of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg directed by David McVicar, with Gerald Finley as Hans Sachs. Glyndebourne’s exploration of Handel’s operas continues with a new production of Rinaldo conducted by Baroque specialist Ottavio Dantone. ■ 01273 813813 ■ glyndebourne.com

CHIPPING CAMPDEN MUSIC FESTIVAL8–21 MayDon’t be deceived by Chipping Campden’s teashop-heavy, sleepy beauty into thinking its festival is a small-scale affair. Now in its tenth year, with pianist Paul Lewis as president and cellist Julian Lloyd Webber patron of the expanding education programme, this festival means business. Highlights include Rachmaninov’s Vespers sung by

candlelight and an illustrated lecture from Alfred Brendel.■ 01386 849018 ■ campdenmusicfestival.co.uk

HENLEY FESTIVAL6–10 JulyHenley Festival has a party atmosphere: there’s street theatre, fireworks and high-class pop-up

restaurants. The Floating Stage will host classical

boyband Blake and violinist Tasmin

Little, plus the ABBA Symphonic alongside the BSO and stars of the West End.

Resident chamber ensemble Fifth

Quadrant gives informal early evening performances.

■ 01491 843404 ■ henley-festival.co.uk

GARSINGTON OPERA2 June–5 JulyGarsington’s new home, Wormsley Estate in Buckinghamshire, will be unveiled this year. Mozart’s crowd-pleaser The Magic Flute kicks off the season, with Olivia Fuchs directing, followed by Rossini’s comic opera Il Turco in Italia, conducted by Rossini expert David Parry. ■ 01865 361545■ garsingtonopera.org

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL7–29 MayThe Brighton Festival’s

guest director this year is none other than the Burmese Nobel Peace laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi. Her mantra ‘use your liberty to promote ours’ has been taken on by the artists in this year’s festival. Though there have been acres of news coverage of the inspirational leader over the years, it hasn’t often been mentioned that she has a passion for Western classical music, with Beethoven a particular favourite. With this in mind, the first classical event of the festival features the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Brighton

Festival Chorus performing Fidelio with a newly-commissioned narration by Simon Butteriss. Beethoven’s piano music also features heavily, with recitals by Leif Ove Andsnes and Stephen Hough. ■ 01273 709709■ brightonfestival.org

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Chipping Campden festival performers

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SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 20 May–4 JuneChina, Dance and Air are the themes this year, reflected in stylish form by the opening concert in Salisbury Cathedral, featuring the world premiere of Where Two Worlds Touch by Howard Moody and Helen Chadwick, a celebration of East and West through poetry, story and song. The Italianate church in Wilton hosts Schubert’s song cycle Die Schöne Müllerin, with tenor Mark Padmore and pianist Paul Lewis. ■ 0845 241 9651■ salisburyfestival.co.uk

ST ENDELLION SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL26 July–5 AugustCornwall generally features less than other regions in classical music listings, so the 10-day St Endellion Festival deserves praise. The main event, in St Endellion’s 15th-century church, is the Cornish premiere of Wagner’s Die Walküre, conducted by Martyn Brabbins. Soprano Susan Bullock sings Brünnhilde, with baritone Robert Hayward as Wotan. Vocal music features heavily elsewhere, too: Susan Bullock gives a masterclass and Mark Padmore is one of the soloists in the original multi-voice

version of Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’Été. ■ 01208 880 298■ endellionfestivals.org.uk

CHELTENHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL29 June–10 JulyMajor artists, young performers and family days make this a deserved favourite. The links between maths and music are a theme, reflected by a percussion-heavy opening weekend and a good selection of minimalist composer Steve Reich’s music. Further percussion excitement will be provided by Dame Evelyn Glennie in the world premiere of a new percussion concerto by Joseph Phibbs. For quieter musical fare, at 11 o’clock each morning the genteel Pittville Pump Rooms will host chamber concerts, one highlight of which will be cellist Natalie Clein, violist Maxim Rysanov and pianist Polina Leschenko performing Dvořák.■ 01242 505 444■ cheltenhamfestivals.com

LONGBOROUGH FESTIVAL OPERA16 June–30 JulyLongborough Festival Opera is the first privately owned opera house to mount a production of Wagner’s ‘Ring’ cycle, continuing this year with Siegfried directed by Alan Privett with conductor Anthony Negus. ■ 01451 830 292■ lfo.org.uk

SHALDON FESTIVAL16–19 JuneSt Peter’s Church hosts a choral workshop by Sir Neville Marriner and a Puccini evening by members of English Touring Opera.■ shaldonfestival.co.uk

BATH MOZARTFEST11–19 NovemberMajor international artists

performing the music of Mozart and others in Georgian venues around Bath, plus Bath Abbey.■ bathmozartfest.org.uk

IFORD ARTS FESTIVAL10 June–13 AugustThe Peto Garden of Iford Manor is the extraordinarily beautiful setting for opera and jazz, preceded by picnics.■ ifordarts.co.uk

Heading South West this summer are pianists Joanna MacGregor and James Rhodes, singers Susan Bullock and Roderick Williams, percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and cellist Natalie Clein

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SOUTH WEST

BATH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL25 May–5 June

Pianist Joanna MacGregor is artistic director and the programme is every bit as creative and impossible to pigeon-hole as she is. One of this year’s several artistically rich themes is ‘Russian Weddings: Vows and Vespers’, the centrepiece of which is a performance of Stravinsky’s extraordinary cantata Les Noces in Bath Abbey by Bath Camerata, soloists from the Royal Academy of Music, a line-up of four grand pianos led by MacGregor herself and Ensemblebash’s army of percussion instruments. The evening will be topped and tailed by liturgical Nuptial Mass motets and

chants, before candle-lit Russian Vespers move across the court to the Roman Baths, sung by Moscow choir Arte Corale. Another theme, ‘Fire in the Flint’, celebrates Celtic music, with Northumbrian pipes player Kathryn Tickell performing festival-commissioned world premieres by Peter Maxwell Davies amongst others.■ 01225 463 362■ bathmusicfest.org.uk

DON’T MISS…Opening concert, 25 May, Bath Abbey, 7pm A concert in Bath Abbey is heralded by 14 bagpipers and drummers playing traditional Scottish music on the abbey roof!

FESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

Evelyn Glennie is at Cheltenham this year

Russian Weddings: Vows and Vespers is a theme this year

In a whirl: players at Iford Arts Festival

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SUMMERFESTIVAL

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FESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

Conductor Sir Simon Rattle, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, cellist Natalie Clein and the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra fill the Midlands with music this summer

THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL 6–13 AugustIt’s Worcester’s turn to host this year, and big names descending upon the town include conductor Sir Andrew Davis, trumpeter Alison Balsom and baritone Sir Thomas Allen, presenting ‘A Night at the Opera’ in the cathedral with Classic FM’s Orchestra on Tour, the Philharmonia. Don’t miss the premiere of a new anthem, Jackson Hill’s Still, in remembrance, to mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, at Wednesday evensong on 10 August. ■ 01905 616200 (live from 2 June)■ 3choirs.org

ALDEBURGH FESTIVAL10–26 JuneThe festival opens in style with Messiaen’s Et exspecto resurrectionem conducted by none other than Sir Simon Rattle, making his first appearance at the festival since 1991. He will then be joined by Magdalena Kožená for Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. Artistic director, pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, gives the world premiere of Elliott Carter’s Conversations. ■ 01728 687110■ aldeburgh.co.uk

LICHFIELD FESTIVAL 7–17 JulyIt’s Lichfield’s 30th birthday and it’s celebrating with an increased emphasis on community projects. One that’s guaranteed to make people smile is the placing of 30 life-sized model pigs around Lichfield. This is a vibrant setting

for some seriously great music: the City of

Birmingham Symphony

Orchestra performs William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast and the

Bournemouth Symphony

Orchestra plays Mussorgsky and Khachaturian.

■ 01543 412121■ lichfieldfestival.org

LEICESTER INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 15–18 SeptemberHighlights include Satie’s Gymnopedies for oboe and harp, with artistic director Nicholas Daniel on oboe, and Ravel’s exquisite Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet. The quartet’s cellist is Natalie Clein. Plus percussionists O Duo give a family-friendly concert. ■ 0116 2254920■ musicfestival.co.uk

GRIMSBY ST HUGH’S FESTIVAL23–25 SeptemberGrimsby Minster hosts groups including Sinfonia Viva and the Delta Saxophone Quartet.■ grimsby-st-hughs-festival.org.uk

OUNDLE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL15–24 JulyBrahms, Britten and Barber from baritone Marcus Farnsworth – and Oundle’s first foray into folk, with Northumbrian Pipes player Kathryn Tickell.■ oundlefestival.org.uk

SPRING SOUNDS FESTIVAL 27–29 MayThe Orchestra of the Swan gives three world and two European premieres in Stratford’s Civic Hall.■ orchestraoftheswan.org/spring-sounds

NORFOLK & NORWICH FESTIVAL6-21 May

Classical music of every genre can be found at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival this summer. Enjoy an evening of Bach, Purcell and Handel with harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock and soprano Lucy Crowe. Or for large-scale excitement, head to the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome to hear the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra perform an all-Russian programme including Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Ivan Rudin as soloist. Australian guitarist John Williams plays a concert covering everything from Handel to Piazolla accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Richard Harvey on

instruments including a medieval psaltery. The festival has always welcomed new music, with the likes of Elgar and Spohr conducting world premieres over its 240 years; this year the Kronos Quartet premieres a new work by Damon Albarn, the former frontman of pop bands Blur and Gorillaz.■ 01603 766400■ nnfestival.org.uk/nnf11

DON’T MISS…JAN GARBAREK AND THE HILLIARD ENSEMBLE – OFFICIUM NOVUMNorwich Cathedral, Saturday 21 May, 7.30pmThe players perform the third part of their recording trilogy Officium Novum.

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Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble

Alison Balsom is heading to Worcest er

Catch Kathryn Tickell and her band at Oundle

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RYEDALE FESTIVAL15–31 JulyThis North Yorkshire festival celebrates its 30th birthday in style. This year’s theme is ‘the animal kingdom’, reflected by the festival opener, a new production of Janáček’s opera The Cunning Little Vixen in a new translation by festival president John Warrack. More fur- and feather-themed concerts include the Northern Sinfonia performing Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending and Berio’s Opus Zoo. Jazz and lighter music are also on offer, plus masterclasses and literary events.■ 01751 475777■ ryedalefestival.co.uk

ULVERSTON INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL3–11 June Ulverston’s chamber concerts include the A-list duo of violinist Alina Ibragimova and pianist Kathryn Stott performing Bach, Beethoven, Debussy and Ravel. For a piano recital with an added extra, try ‘Liszt unRavelled’, Anthony Hewitt’s recital of works by Liszt and Ravel performed alongside poems associated with the music. If you prefer something on a slightly larger scale, the Totally Beethoven evening features the Northern Sinfonia with the Dimension Piano Trio, performing

Beethoven’s First and Sixth symphonies, plus his ‘Triple’ Concerto in C. But it’s not all up to the professionals – Pianofun gives amateur pianists the chance to play the festival’s Steinway piano. ■ 01229 587140■ ulverstonmusicfestival.co.uk

BUXTON FESTIVAL 9–27 JulyHigh-class summer opera at an affordable price? Yes, really. Three cheers for this Peak District opera festival, which also boasts a

morning literary series and afternoon concerts. Stephen Medcalf’s new production of Donizetti’s tragic melodrama Maria di Rohan stars Mary Plazas in the title role. If Oratorio is your thing, try Olivia Fuchs’ new production of Handel’s Saul, set amidst the victory celebrations following the Second World War. ■ 0845 127 2190■ buxtonfestival.co.uk

YORK EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL8–16 JulyThe UK’s rightful Early Music Mecca. A highlight is sure to be The Sixteen directed by Harry Christophers, performing music by Tomás Luis de Victoria in York Minster. There’s competitive excitement too, thanks to the York Early Music International Young Artists Competition.■ 01904 658338■ ncem.co.uk

Violinist Ruth Palmer, vocal ensemble The Sixteen, jazz pianist Stefano Bollani, pianist Howard Shelley and singers Dame Emma Kirkby and Sir Thomas Allen are all heading up North

NORTH

CHESTER SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

1–16 JulyChester has bagged a clutch of top-notch names, performing in atmospheric venues across the city. Jazz pianist Stefano Bollani launches the festival with a performance of his own stylistically eclectic music. The ‘Best of British’ theme celebrates both artists and repertoire. There’s high-class choral singing, with the Gabrieli Consort and the King’s Singers both appearing. ‘Best’ doesn’t always have to mean ‘professional’ though, as the return of The Big Sing is sure to demonstrate. This

daytime event will feature 22 choirs from across the region singing in different spots across Chester. The festival will also be making use of some of its more unusual venues, including violinist Ruth Palmer bringing a highly intimate slice of her Hidden Acoustics tour to the 14th-century Water Tower set within the ancient city walls. ■ 0845 241 7868■ chesterfestivals.co.uk

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DON’T MISS…Chester Festival Chorus, RLPO/John Wilson, Chester Cathedral, 16 July, 7.30pmRalph Vaughan Williams’s rarely heard Five Tudor Portraits.

FESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

BEVERLY & EAST RIDING EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL26–29 MayEcclesiastical architecture is the backdrop for concerts including The Tallis Scholars performing Allegri’s Miserere.■ ncem.co.uk

SWALEDALE FESTIVAL28 May–11 JuneMixes music and the arts with

guided walks through the magnificent scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. ■ swaledale-festival.org.uk

HARROGATE SUMMER FESTIVALJune 30–July 31This year sees the launch of a new Science Festival and Children’s Festival.■ harrogate-festival.org.uk

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The King’s Singers headline at Chester

The Barber of Baghdad at last year’s Buxton fest

Lesley Garrett at the Harrogate Festival

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VALE OF GLAMORGAN FESTIVAL6-10 SeptemberThis festival has a particularly distinctive ethos: to present the work of living composers in atmospheric venues. This year it also looks back at some of the successes of the last 20 years. This retrospective element includes performances by the Latvian Radio Choir and Dutch pianist Jeroen van Veen, and the music of Estonian Arvo Pärt. Part two looks forward to the years to come and includes the music of Philip Glass, Chinese composer Qigang Chen, and Danish composer Per Nørgård, each of whom will feature heavily in the 2012 festival.■ 03700 101051■ valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk

NORTH WALES INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 24 September–1 October Baritone Roderick Williams opens the festival with Mahler’s Lieder eines Fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of the Wayfarer). The 200th anniversary of the birth of Liszt is marked with a piano recital by Llŷr Williams. Other artists include I Fagiolini and 4 Girls 4 Harps. The festival closes in dramatic form

with Mid Wales Opera’s staging of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. ■ 01745 584508■ northwalesmusicfestival.com

PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS, POWYS25-30 AugustWhilst Presteigne is very much a celebration of British musical talent (the festival’s second

Alan Horne Composition Prize is underway), a new

association with the Lithuanian Embassy

means there will be a variety of Lithuanian music. The festival also celebrates the

60th birthday of composer Cecilia

McDowall. New music is Presteigne’s raison d’être but it’s set within

programmes featuring old friends such as Haydn and Beethoven.■ 01544 267800■ presteignefestival.com

WELSH PROMS, CARDIFF8-16 JulyThere are five family concerts, the first of which is the endearingly titled Tiddly Prom to give under-fives their first taste of live music. The Last Night stars Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas. ■ 029 2087 8444■ stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

The Welsh hills are alive with the sound of singers Russell Watson, Faryl Smith and Roderick Williams, vocal groups I Fagiolini and The King’s Singers and ensemble 4 Girls 4 Harps

WALES

LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD

4-10 JulyLlangollen may be a small Welsh town, but during the summer it certainly makes its musical mark on the world. Set up in 1947, the Eisteddfod hosts high quality competitions between international musicians and dancers. This year, you can watch British competitors such as York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir and Bradford Girls’ Choir compete against choirs as diverse as Finland’s Kuopio Youth Choir, China’s Hangzhou Aiyue Tianshi Choir, and Ghana’s Sogo African Traditional Music and Dance Group. The best of these competitors also share the stage with renowned

professional artists, including Ruthie Henshall (presenting The Best of the West End) and Julian Lloyd Webber, who will be performing with the winners of the Choir of the World competition.■ 01978 862001■ llangollen2011.co.uk

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DON’T MISS…Russell Watson Tuesday 5 July, 7.45pmMuch-loved tenor Russell Watson makes his Llangollen debut, supported by the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Emery, with a programme including ‘E Sara Cosi’ and ‘Be My Love’. Watson’s special guest is Faryl Smith, who was a Llangollen vocal solo winner aged 11.

FESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

GWYL GREGYNOG FESTIVAL, POWYS17 June–3 JulyThe tranquil beauty of the Gregynog estate hosts the King’s Singers and the Escher String Quartet.■ gwylgregynogfestival.org

FISHGUARD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 23–31 July There’s a local flavour to the festival of this picturesque seaside town.■ fishguardmusicfestival.co.uk

TENBY ARTS FESTIVAL17–24 SeptemberTenby comes alive in September with music, drama and poetry. Local musical ensemble the Tenby Male Voice Choir will mingle with professional visitors including clarinettist Acker Bilk. ■ tenbyartsfest.co.uk

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Trying out a harp at North Wales festival

The Escher Quartet plays at Gŵyl Gregynog

Last year’s Choir of the World winners celebrate

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FESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

KBC MUSIC IN GREAT IRISH HOUSES FESTIVAL11–19 June Great music in beautiful surroundings, namely Castletown, Killruddery, Beaulieu and the Sugar Club – and Harristown House in Kildare, for the first time. Home-grown talent is well represented, including Michael d’Arcy, Lance Coburn, Lynda Lee and Dearbhla Collins. Quatuor Ébène performs both classical repertoire and the pop and jazz arrangements of their ‘Fiction’ album.■ 00353 1664 2822■ musicgreatirishhouses.com

ST MAGNUS FESTIVAL, ORKNEY 17–22 JuneThe St Magnus Festival brings international orchestras, recitalists, theatre, dance and literature to the Orkney Islands. This year features the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, young Italian pianist Alessandro Taverna and Early Music ensembles Florilegium and Fretwork. ■ 01856 871445■ stmagnusfestival.com

EAST NEUK FESTIVAL, FIFE 29 June–3 JulyThere’s a new venue in the form of the Arts and Crafts-style All Saints Church in St Andrews, where the

Orlando Consort performs Ockeghem’s Requiem by candlelight. Richard Egarr conducts violinist Isabelle van Keulen in Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending. And there’s a bit of silliness: a guess-the-composer-in-the-sand-sculpture competition.■ 0131 473 2000■ eastneukfestival.com

WEXFORD OPERA, IRELAND 21 October–5 NovemberOne for those who fancy a break from the operatic norm. First up is Ambroise Thomas’s opéra-comique La cour de Célimene, which was immensely successful in its day. Then there’s Polish composer Roman Statkowski’s Maria, which is even ignored in his native Poland. Finally, Donizetti’s 1839 melodrama Gianni di Parigi. ■ 00353 5391 22144■ wexfordopera.com

LAMMERMUIR FESTIVAL, EAST LOTHIAN16–25 September Now in its second year, this festival is building some serious momentum. The Dunedin Consort’s concerts continue the inaugural festival’s Bach theme and Early Music ensemble Stile Antico makes an appearance.■ lammermuirfestival.co.uk

SUMMER MUSIC AT PAXTON HOUSE, BERWICK-UPON-TWEED15–24 JulyPaxton House’s picture gallery hosts 10 days of concerts including Joanna MacGregor, The Avison Ensemble and the Chiaroscuro quartet led by violinist Alina Ibragimova.■ musicatpaxton.co.uk

MENDELSSOHN ON MULL3–9 July A week of chamber concerts in venues ranging from castles and stately homes to village halls. The Chilingirian Quartet plays this year. Entrance to all concerts is free and venues include Iona Abbey.■ mullfest.org.uk

Head to Scotland and Ireland to hear the Seoul Philharmonic and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, pianist Martha Argerich, keyboardist Richard Egarr and string quartet Quatuor Ébène

BEST OF THE REST...

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 12 August–

4 SeptemberFew festivals, if any, can boast quite the number of international orchestras and A-list names that Edinburgh can. Soprano Susan Gritton stars in the opening concert at the Usher Hall in Schumann’s Das Paradies und die Peri with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under Sir Roger Norrington. Other orchestras in town include the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Staged operas this year include Jonathan Kent’s production of Richard Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten, performed by the Mariinsky Opera conducted by

Valery Gergiev. Chamber music to watch out for includes a double recital from Argentinian pianists Martha Argerich and Nelson Goerner, plus recitals from mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, soprano Karita Mattila and guitarist Xuefei Yang.■ 0131 473 2000■ eif.co.uk

EDITOR’S

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DON’T MISS…Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Robin Ticciati, Sunday 21 August, Usher Hall, 7.30pmRavel’s orchestral favourite Le Tombeau de Couperin, the world premiere of Toshio Hosokawa’s Blossoming, then Duruflé’s Requiem. Soloists are mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená and baritone Simon Keenlyside.

Die Frau ohne Schatten by the Mariinsky Opera

Wexford Opera’s The Golden Ticket

Mulling over: Levon Chilingirian and friends

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Age of Enlightenment performing The Creation and The Nelson Mass. Conductors Adam Fischer and Sir Neville Marriner lead a range of ensembles. As ever, the focus on Haydn is framed by the works of other composers for constructive comparison. This year Papa Haydn shares the spotlight with Purcell, Boccherini and Salomon.■ haydnfestival.at

COPENHAGEN RENAISSANCE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Copenhagen, Denmark

7–17 NovemberThis event gathers Early Music experts from northern Europe and the US. The ecclesiatical venues – Holmens Kirke, Frederiksberg Kirke and Garnisons Kirke – are almost as good as the music. This year’s focus is early German Baroque music, ‘From Schütz to Geist’, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the death of Christian Geist, who worked as an organist in Copenhagen, and Heinrich Schütz, who twice visited the city.■ renaissancemusik.dk/festival/

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CHORAL MUSIC

Kaunas, Lithuania15–18 December

Lithuania’s famous ‘city of museums’ was briefly the national capital between world wars. Since 1992 the city’s sacred music competition has spawned many festivals, the latest of which is the Festival of Advent and Christmas Music. Performances take place in the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption, the St. Peter and Paul Basilica, the Jesuit Monastery and Baroque St. Francis Xavier Church. Choirs come from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Russia and even Venezuela and the Philippines.■ kaunascantat.lt/festivals.html

INTERNATIONAL PHAROS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Paphos, Cyprus24–29 May

There can be few settings as attractive in May as the Royal Manor House at Kouklia, only a stone’s throw from Aphrodite’s Rock. As ever, Beethoven features strongly on the programme, as does Schubert, Bach, Mozart and Franck. An unusual offering is Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring arranged for two pianos. A recital of Liszt, Schubert and Debussy piano works concludes the festival.■ thepharostrust.org

RIGA OPERA FESTIVALRiga, Latvia8–19 June

In recent years this midsummer festival has become not only a showcase for the best Latvian opera productions, but for the best of Baltic talent. This year revivals of 2010’s Il Trittico and 2009’s Don Giovanni will be seen alongside the first staging of The Heiress of Vilkači, an opera by Latvian composer Bruno Skulte, who fled the Communist regime in 1947.

Performances take place in Riga’s well-loved neo-classical opera house.■ opera.lv/en/riga-opera-festival

OJAI FESTIVAL Ojai, California, US9–12 June

The beautiful Ojai valley was a favourite retreat of Stravinsky and Isherwood long before its first festival in 1947. This summer a small core of performers will enjoy Ojai’s new auditorium. Music director Dawn Upshaw takes the lead in two works including Peter Sellars’s staged production of George Crumb’s Winds of Destiny. Richard Tognetti plays Prokofiev and Beethoven sonatas and joins the Australian Chamber Orchestra for Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor.■ ojaifestival.org DUBROVNIK SUMMER FESTIVAL

Dubrovnik, Croatia10 July–25 August

One of the hottest festivals in Europe, in both senses of the word. Performances start late in this tiny

If you want to combine travel with music look no further than the best international festivals. From midsummer opera to late-night crossover there’s something to suit every taste. By Adrian Mourby

LISZT FESTIVAL

Budapest, Hungary

1–29 October Hungary’s golden boy celebrates his 200th birthday this year with Liszt-related concerts in Budapest. These lead up to October’s Liszt Festival, with ‘World Liszt Day’ – 22 October 2011 – falling in the middle of it. The great man’s oratorio Christus will be performed at Saint Stephen’s Basilica – and all around the world. However Budapest is the best place to enjoy this event. The Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir will be conducted by Zoltán Kocsis. ■ liszt-2011.hu

historic city, in the hope that its stone palaces will have cooled down a bit. Now in its 62nd year, the festival features the Zagreb Philharmonic, Croatian countertenor Max Emanuel Cenčić singing mezzo-soprano arias, Ivo Pogorelich (back after 26 years), the Berezovsky and Ghindin piano duo and Pinchas Zukerman, whose chamber ensemble makes its festival debut.■ dubrovnik-festival.hr

LUCERNE SUMMER FESTIVAL

Lucerne, Switzerland10 August–18 September

For sheer range of world-class talent it’s difficult to better Lucerne. This year the tranquil lakeside city hosts Daniel Barenboim, Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado and Daniel Harding with their orchestras, plus soprano Sarah Connolly, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Pierre Boulez conducting the Lucerne Festival Academy in his own works. Late night crossover events take place in the Lucerne Theatre under the

banner ‘Insomnia 1-4’. Fancy The Magic Flute arranged for saxophone quartet? You’ll find it here.■ lucernefestival.ch

ENESCU FESTIVALBucharest, Romania1–25 September

This biennial event is a great opportunity for Bucharest to show off its stunning Romanian Athenaeum, the city’s main concert hall, which this year hosts the Orchestra de Chambre de Lausanne and the George Enescu Philharmonic. While the LSO and the Vienna Philharmonic face the challenge of the massive Ceausceau-era Sala Palatului, Lohengrin plays at the opera. There are also nine concerts devoted to Enescu and his contemporaries.■ festivalenescu.ro HAYDN FESTIVAL

Eisenstadt, Austria8–18 September

The neo-classical Esterházy Castle honours its most famous servant with the Orchestra and Choir of the

Across Europe new music festivals are still springing up alongside the old favourites. It’s extraordinary to think that Dubrovnik’s Summer Festival, which continued even when the city was being shelled, is now in its 62nd year. Older still is our American selection, California’s Ojai Music Festival, which has now recruited soprano Dawn Upshaw as music director. With so many festivals bidding for the cultural pound, it’s not surprising that there is an increasing degree of specialisation, such as Copenhagen’s Renaissance Music Festival or Kaunas’s brand new Advent Festival in Lithuania. The big hitters still tend to divide into those like the Haydn, Liszt and Enescu festivals that focus on a particular composer and those like Lucerne that simply bring in the best musicians they can find and let them play what they want.

INTERNATIONALFESTIVALS GUIDE 2011

EDITOR’S

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Escape the blazing heat of the Croatian summer with a concert in Dubrovnik’s St. Blaise’s church

Piping up: an organ recital at the Liszt festival