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STOP PRESS...
EXTRA TICKETS HAVE BEEN RELEASED FOR SOUND BEGINNINGS ON THURSDAY 22 MAY
2008 marks the 30th anniversary of Newbury Spring Festival
and after last year's English theme, this year we re-emphasise
our international credentials with a line up of artists from
around the globe joining some of the UK's finest for two
weeks of world-class music making and entertainment.
A new series of International Celebrity Recitals presents some
of the world's finest musicians: from Australia John Williams,
from the USA Emanuel Ax, from New Zealand Dame Gillian
Weir and from China Li-Wei. We also welcome four of the
world's great orchestras: the Russian State Symphony
Orchestra, the European Union Chamber Orchestra (featuring
the exceptional British cellist Natalie Clein), the English
Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic. In our
beautiful neighbouring churches and stately homes, chamber
groups from the Czech Republic, Austria and France
complement some of the UK's finest ensembles.
We will also hear some of Britain's finest voices: Sir John
Tomlinson and Joan Rodgers are established opera stars,
while Andrew Kennedy and Sally Matthews represent the
cream of the young generation and Clare Teal and Claire
Martin are among the best jazz voices of today. The male
voices of Morriston Orpheus Choir will contrast with Tenebrae and Ex Cathedra, in programmes of Russian Orthodox and
Latin American sacred music.
Our 2008 poet in residence is Keston Sutherland who has
been commissioned to write a new piece for Sandham
Memorial Chapel to mark the 90th anniversary of the ending
of the First World War. To celebrate our 30th anniversary, the
Festival will also host its own resident company, Giffords
Circus, with their unique brand of English tradition and
international innovation, featuring performers from Russia,
Eastern Europe, France and the UK. Before their
final festival performance Giffords Circus will
lead a parade of local children through the
town to celebrate 30 years of the Newbury
Spring Festival. I hope to see you there, as
well as at many of the other events we have
in store this year.
Mark Eynon
Festival Director
This website was created with financial
support from Arts Council England and the
Colefax Charitable Trust. |
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