THIS year’s Ryedale Festival welcomes outstanding performers from all over the world, both established and emerging, to perform a wide-ranging and distinctive programme in the many spectacular venues in and around the local area.
Events range far and wide across the area and performances are given at the great houses of Castle Howard, Hovingham Hall, Duncombe Park, Birdsall House and Sledmere, as well as in Ampleforth Abbey, York Minster, Scarborough Spa and many other local venues.
There is also a popular series of coffee concerts given in local churches and a series of literary events, talks, exhibitions and workshops
Under the present Artistic Director, Christopher Glynn, the festival continues to go from strength to strength. Broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 have brought the festival to a national audience, while the Ryedale500 ticketing initiative and a series of workshops and masterclasses offer opportunities to a new generation of music-lovers.
Events include The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Royal Northern Sinfonia at Hovingham Hall, while the Choir of King’s College Cambridge are at Ampleforth Abbey and the Orchestra of Opera North bring an unmissable symphonic programme to Scarborough Spa.
There’s a new production of Così fan tutte, Mozart’s great comedy of duty, desire and lost innocence. Other stories of growing up are explored too: in Alexandra Dariescu’s piano-ballet The Nutcracker and I, and a touching musical memoir of childhood by Alan Bennett.’.
The Master of the Queen’s Music, Judith Weir, is composer in residence. There are also festival residencies for the vocal ensemble I Fagiolini and viol consort Fretwork – both renowned for the vitality and freshness of their music-making – and the ground-breaking ensemble Chineke!, which champions diversity in classical music.
The festival celebrates the 90th birthday of its President John Warrack but also creates opportunities for a new generation of musicians and music lovers, with the Ryedale500ticket offer, Young Artist Platform concerts and a series of masterclasses. The festival runs until July 29. For more information go to www.ryedalefestival.com
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