Welcome to the website for another music festival. This year it will run from Tuesday 25 August to Tuesday 1 September, with concerts as usual on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
This is a momentous year for us. We have both retired, and we are in the process of moving from the big old house in Oldham on to the good boat “CLARE” on Sawley Marina, just south of Nottingham. Completion expected in March 2015. At the same time we are building new bungalow in St Gauderic. This should be well on the way by August, but probably not finished.
Of course, making the Festival a success is our highest priority, and we are planning some wonderful music and lots of good singing this year. We are delighted that Colin Beeson will be our Musical Director again, and Leanne Cody will be the accompanist. Suzanne Mather will be returning as soprano soloist, and Louis Hurst as the bass/baritone, will be bringing his wife, Tanya, who is also a graduate of RNCM. Other appointments will be confirmed in due course.
I sang the Haydn Nelson Mass when I was about 10 (soprano line) and elements of it have remained vividly in my memory. It has a spectacular soprano solo part which Suzanne will deliver with her usual panache. In contrast, I met the Poulenc Gloria only last year, and with its distinctly off-beam style, it will provide a glorious counterbalance to the regular structures of classical music. The soprano solo in this will be sung by Tanya. The other main piece is a show case for Louis, who has been our bass/baritone soloist for several years. It is the Five Mystic Songs by Vaughan Williams, to be sung in the version with choir.
The Friday concert will be at Manses, where we have been well received for many years. The Saturday, at home in St Gauderic. The venue for the Sunday concert will be announced shortly.
For singers, we hope that this year will match the success of previous years. We have the same much appreciated accommodation booked, and Nadine will provide her spectacular picnics! The booking form can be downloaded here, [FESTIVAL DE MUSIQUE Brochure2015v2] please complete and return to Margaret Hood, who is managing this side of the admin. We are pleased to have a number of wives and husbands who come for the holiday, and would be delighted to have more.
If you want to come and hear the concerts, please keep an eye on this site. The programme will be announced in due course. Tickets will be available at the door, but come early to Manses, which is always full!