TWENTY-TWO choirs will perform on the streets of Chester for the city’s Summer Music Festival.
A group dubbed “the rock stars of renaissance vocal music” and The Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, will also feature in the two-week event starting at the end of June.
Tickets are released for sale today for shows taking place in some of Chester’s most beautiful venues.
For the third year running, the programme has been devised by artistic director Andrew Cornall, also the Liverpool Philharmonic’s executive director of artistic policy.
He says: “Whether it is choral, cabaret, chamber music, folk or glorious orchestral concerts, I believe there is something to enjoy and something to discover for everyone.”
The Music Festival, which runs from June 30 to July 14, will make use of the Town Hall Assembly Rooms for the first time as well as a specially constructed stage in front of the civic building.
Here are Cornall’s personal top 10 recommendations from the more than 20 events taking place:
1. The opening concert with internationally renowned Tallis Scholars – “The rock stars of renaissance vocal music” (Wednesday, June 30).
2. Many people will recognise the music of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra from TV adverts and film scores. Their concert on Monday, July 2, is a fresh take on the original sound.
3. A Sunday evening with Melanie Marshall cabaret style at the Crowne Plaza, with a pre-concert carvery to celebrate the end of the weekend on Sunday, July 4.
4. “We are privileged to be hosting the most famous choir in the world, The Choir of Kings College, Cambridge. If you want to see the best, then this is for you,” says Cornall. It’s on Monday, July 5.
5. An evening concert with celebrated Northumbrian folk musician Kathryn Tickell, on Tuesday, July 6.
6. “We are spoilt for choice on Friday, July 9, with an intimate concert with Katie Buckhaven (performing a blend of folk-rock ballads) or a Chamber Concert must, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. What will you choose?” asks Cornall.
7. Dutch group Calefax Reed Quintet take the music of eight centuries and give it a unique flavour. Their concert is on Monday, July 12.
8. “The closing concert will send shivers down your spine,” says Cornall. Set in Chester Cathedral on Wednesday, July 14, it features the Orchestra of Opera North.
9. Saturday July 3’s Big Sing event will culminate with the 22 choirs joining together with a concert in the Cathedral. Tickets are just £1 and the audience are invited to join in the singing.
10. The Listen at Lunch series returns with a host of up-and-coming musicians performing for 45 minutes at St Mary’s centre.
FURTHER details on the festival at www.chesterfestivals.co.uk or call 0845 241 7868.
