CHESTER GETS VOCAL WITH VASILY

Wednesday, 2nd April 2008

CHESTER GETS VOCAL WITH VASILY

Chester Summer Music Festival Celebrates the Power of the Voice

19 - 25 JULY 2008

Download high res picture of Petrenko
Download high res picture of Alfie Boe
Download high res picture of John Harle

Now in its 31st year, the prestigious Chester Music Festival reveals one of its most exciting line-ups to date, when becomes the UK’s first music festival focusing on the human voice as it entertains, seduces and inspires.

Under the artistic direction of Andrew Cornall, the Festival celebrates one of the key strengths of past festivals, Chester’s choral and vocal history. Cornell has programmed artists with a high degree of vocal excellence such as early and contemporary music giants I Fagioliniand the Tony award winning Alfie Boe. There is also a major vocal/choral new commission from one of the world’s leading saxophonists and the Festival’s composer-in-residence John Harle along with vocal workshops with voice coach to the famous Patsy Rodenburg.

Also Executive Director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Cornall has sought to challenge and inspire the 2008 Festival’s audiences with his programme, encouraging them to take a musical journey within this unique city.

One of the highpoints of the Festival takes place at Chester Cathedral on 25 July, when internationally renowned conductor Vasily Petrenko will conduct the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, baritone Garry Magee and the Chester Festival Chorus. The programme also includes the world premiere of composer-in-residence John Harle’s Earthlight, specially commissioned by the Festival, Vaughan Williams Tallis Fantasia, Debussy’s Prelude L’apres midi d’un Faune and Rachmaninov’s Spring Cantata.

Alfie Boe and Ensemble bring summer to the city on 20 July when they perform an unmissable evening of Neopolitan songs from Boe’s most recent album La Passione, featuring Italian classics like Funiculi funicular and O Sole Mio.

On 22 July John Harle joins forces with pianist Steve Lodder for an evening of jazz and classical music with an inventive programme featuring Chick Corea’s Children’s Songs, Bartok’s 3 Folk Songs and Duke Ellington’s Sultry Sunset.  During the Festival he will also lead a saxophone master class and give a lecture at the city’s museum.

British solo-voice ensemble specialising in Renaissance and contemporary music I Fagiolini will also appear at the Cathedral, performing Flaming Heat, the music of Monteverdi on 22 July (more detail needed). Cellist Guy Johnston joins virtuoso pianist Kathryn Stott on 21 July for an evening recital of Stravinsky, Britten, Rachmaninov and Chopin.

An important component of the Chester Music Festival is its range of workshops and this year voice coach to the famous Patsy Rodenburg will lead a special vocal master-class for singers on 19 July. (detail tbc).

At the heart of the Music Festival is the Festival Hub – a place to meet, discuss and listen to music in a convivial atmosphere. Situated in the city centre, it will focus around an early evening concert series but will also have a permanent presence during the day through street music and an entertaining ‘musical walk’ around the city.

Artistic Director Andrew Cornall said “I’m delighted to be taking on the artistic direction of the Chester Summer Music Festival at this very exciting time and I look forward to building on the success the festival has already achieved and working with the City of Chester.”

Ends: 6 March 2008

Booking opens on 21 April 2008

For a full programme call 01244 320 722

For tickets call 01244 304 618 or book online www.chesterfestivals.co.uk

For further information call Lethal Communications Shelagh Bourke 07971 819 016 she@we-r-lethal or Catharine Braithwaite 07947 644 110 cat@we-r-lethal.com