THE FULL programme for the 29th internationally acclaimed Presteigne Festival has been announced for 2011 and organisers say it will be “unforgettable”.
Highlights at the six-day festival which runs from August 20 to 25 include world premieres of Joe Duddell’s Magnificent and Nunc Dimittis and Huw Watkins’s Concertino for solo violin and string orchestra, both of which were commissioned by the festival.
George Vass, the artistic director of the festival, said: “The Presteigne Festival continues to excite and entertain with an ever-widening range of music-based arts events. The concert programme continues to provide a sensitive balance between contemporary voices, 20th century classics and important repertoire from the past, whilst supporting events offer an educated insight into the world of music and the arts today.
“I’m excited about this year’s festival because we have been able to do what we planned. The support we have got has been unabated and we havn’t had to change our program at all. The Arts Council for Wales has fully supported us again.”
The festival – which has 24 events running over the five days – will include eight premieres, will make a feature of the work of long-stading composer at the festival, Cecilia McDowell who will be celebrating her 60th birthday, and will also feature the highly praised Royal Holloway University of London Choir as Choir in Residence which George has called “tip-top”.
The festival will also feature the winner of the Composers Competition which ran earlier in the year, and was won by Jon Opstead from London, who beat over 30 entries to get a slot at the event.
Mr Vass added: “2011 is set to be an unforgettable year in the history of the Presteigne Festival; I hope that you will be tempted to throw yourself into the civilised cultural atmosphere of Radnorshire’s favourite festival town.”
Booking for tickets is now open and George said ticket applications have been flooding in already. It is therefore advised that anyone wishing to purchase tickets they should do as early as possible.
You can call the box office on 01544 267800 or for more information on postal applications, please visit the festival’s website at www.presteignefestival.com, where the full program can also been viewed.