Last year’s inaugural event proved a huge success and founder Martin Hall has lined up another weekend of classical music excellence for Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10.
Guest artists taking part include Rogers Covey-Crump and John Potter – former members of the Hilliard Ensemble – plus Christopher O’Gorman, a lay clerk from York Minster, who has already partnered them in acclaimed CDs of Medieval Polyphony.
Mr O’Gorman is also a former student of Mr Hall.
As part of the weekend’s programme, the three (medieval) tenors will perform an atmospheric concert by candlelight of plainsong and organum in St Romald’s at 9.30pm on Saturday night.
The festival kicks off on the Saturday with a masterclass led by Mr O’Gorman and Mr Covey-Crump from noon to 3pm.
A second masterclass will take place on the Sunday, from 10am to 11am.
Both will focus on the weekend’s repertoire and will include solo and ensemble items.
The venues will be the church and Reading Room opposite.
Festival administrator Su Graves said the masterclasses should prove most illuminating to anyone interested in the art of singing. Admission for observers/audience is £3 on the door.
At 6.30pm on the Saturday, the festival choir and orchestra will perform a concert of music by Bach and Purcell.
This will include Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 3, an evergreen work with splendid soloists on two recorders and violin, and will conclude with a performance of Purcell’s ode Come ye sons of art, which includes the popular duet for two countertenors Sound the Trumpet.
Ms Graves said last year the choir mainly comprised singers from Mr Hall’s choirs from the south.
“The policy this year has been to make things as home grown as possible. In this we have been very fortunate to enlist the support of Dr Robin Harrison as chorusmaster.
“Robin is an extraordinarily versatile musician, equally adept as conductor, church organist, jazz musician and charismatic teacher. The local choir he has assembled include many of his young students.
“The orchestra consists of some distinguished players from professional orchestras from the north.”
The weekend concludes on Sunday evening with a festival choral Evensong at 6.30pm. The music is mainly Orlando Gibbons, including the wonderful anthem This is the record of John.
Last year's festival was a sell-out so those hoping to come should book up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are £28 for both concerts; £18 single concert & £3 child. Contact su.graves @btinternet.com or call 01833 650096.
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