Southwell Music Festival brings host of acclaimed singers and musicians to town over August Bank Holiday
A curated programme of acclaimed singers and musicians will once again be held against the impressive backdrop of Southwell Minster.
Southwell Music Festival returns for a six-day festival over the August Bank Holiday, from Wednesday, August 24 to Monday, August 29.
It will be the first full-scale festival in three years, featuring more than 40 live events.
Centred around the minster, its grounds and venues across the town the festival celebrates sensational live music.
Festival director Marcus Farnsworth said: “We have an incredible range of music taking place in venues across the town and there is something for everyone in this eclectic programme.
“You’ll find choral and orchestral music, jazz and folk, music ancient, modern and everything in between.”
The line up includes symphonic orchestral concerts, intimate solo performances, relaxed jazz and folk gigs, late-night sessions, a fun-filled family concert and a free fringe festival sharing the area’s talent.
Wednesday’s highlights include celebrity organist Anna Lapwood opening the festival with a varied recital, and Seven Last Words From The Cross – A Prayer For Peace performed by The Festival Voices and Sinfonia Strings, among a line up including the Carlton Male Voice Choir and Chetham’s School of Music.
On the second day, entertainment lasts well into the night with Beethoven String Quartet op. 130 in the Minster from 10pm to 11pm.
In the daytime, musicians from the Minster School and string apprentices of the Elmore Quartet perform at the Methodist Church, while the Festival Chamber Soloists explore popular works by Brahms in the minster.
The Methodist Church will host Mirabile, the Notts Young Artists Showcase and Festival Cabaret during Friday daytime.
It will also showcase jazz music from the Alice Zawadzki Duo from 10pm to 11pm.
The Festival Chamber Soloists will also perform works by Mendelssohn, accompanied by the Mayer Piano Trio in the minster.
The weekend boasts family fun and more incredible music.
Saturday sees a interactive, family-friendly musical adventure take place at the Minster School, based on the stories of Custard the Dragon.
Also on the itinery are folk stars The Kathryn Tickell Trio and Brass On The Grass in the walled garden.
To end the day, an evening of drama, action, intrigue and miracles takes place as resident festival ensembles are joined by a stellar line-up of soloists to perform Mendelssohn’s St Paul.
A pre-concert talk will be lead by Martin Bussey.
On Sunday, the Magpie Trio and celebrity pianist Martin Roscoe lead the show, between three festival worship services.
To close the festival on bank holiday Monday, Katharine Dryden and the Southwell String Quartet will perform, as will Jonathan Allsopp with a final organ recital.
The Come and Sing Platinum Jubilee Celebration will take place at midday, with a rehearsal in the morning, offering a chance for everyone to get involved.
