Montgomeryshire is in for treat next month, and mynewtown will keep you posted every step of the way for what promises to be a musical feast.
We’ve teamed up with the Gregynog Festival 2012 to bring you all the news and information on one of the finest musical events in Britain.
Preparations and rehearsals are underway for the jewel in the Welsh summer festival calendar, which runs between Friday, June 15 and Sunday, July 1.
Gregynog takes Venezia as its inspiration this year so don’t miss out on all things Italian and a brilliant line-up of classical stars from around the world. Log on to the Festival website (
www.gregynogfestival.org) or call the Box Office now (Tel: 01686 207100) to secure tickets.
Most Festival events are held in Gregynog’s Music Room and concerts – both daytime and evening - can be combined with visits to the local area or walks in the famous gardens at the Hall.
Highlights in Gregynog’s beautiful Music Room include violinist Pavlo Beznosiuk and The Avison Ensemble who open the Festival with a rare opportunity to hear Vivaldi’s ever-popular Four Seasons played live in Mid Wales (Friday, June 15 at 7.30pm); prize-winning pianist Alessandro Taverna who takes his audience on a musical tour of Venice (Saturday, June 16 at 7.30pm); the world- famous vocal group La Venexiana, which makes its Welsh debut with an afternoon of spine-tingling madrigals (Sunday, June 17 at 2.30pm); and Catalan viol player, Jordi Savall who, with his group Hesperion XXI, has successfully brought this ancient instrument back to life with his jaw-dropping virtuosity and “folk-meets-baroque” repertoire (Friday, June 29 at 7.30pm).
Italian harpsichordist Ottavio Dantone, described as “making music sparkle like a glass of prosecco”, gives a solo recital (Saturday, June 23 at 2.30pm) and directs Accademia Bizantina (Saturday, June 23 at 7.30pm); and fellow Italian virtuoso Giuliano Carmignola, a “prince amongst Baroque violinists”, makes his Welsh debut with the Venetian ensemble Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca (Sunday, June 24 at 2.30pm).
And, as part of the Festival’s extensive annual programme of outreach work in the local community, the new Royal Harpist Hannah Stone gives a recital in Kerry Church (Monday, June 18 at 7.30pm); and the outstanding Paris choir Le Concert Spirituel performs Vivaldi’s uplifting Gloria in Montgomery Church (Saturday, 30 June 30 at 7.30pm).
“Top 12 music festivals in Britain” - Visit Britain
“The 20 hottest festivals you need to see in Wales” - Western Mail