Music Collection by ACE Cultural Tours

Music Collection 2020

ACE Cultural Tours

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Front cover image: The Music and Minds of Cambridge by Ophelia Redpath. An exhibition of Ophelia Redpathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work will be on display at Stapleford Granary from the 10th of January, 2020. For more information please contact Stapleford Granary, or visit www.staplefordgranary.org.uk

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4 Introduction ACE is pleased to present our collection of music tours taking place throughout 2020. We look forward to returning to some of the world’s best classical music festivals – from Melk Baroque Music Festival to Riga Opera Festival – and are delighted to announce the release of brand new tours to Bergen International Festival and Lammermuir Music Festival. We also feature a number of tours to cities and regions of culture – from Elgar Country to Vienna and New York – to discover their musical heritage and enjoy a range of distinguished performances. All our tours are led by expert musicologists, and offer participants the opportunity to hear both renowned and up-and-coming musicians perform in eminent venues both in the UK and further afield. Read on to discover our 2020 music tours, and visit our website or contact the ACE office for further information or to book your place.

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Coming Soon

St Magnus Music Festival

Aldeburgh Festival

Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival

Wexford Opera Festival

Glyndebourne

Haydn in Eisenstadt

Chopin International Piano Competition

Music & Opera in Vienna

Music Tours

Valletta International Baroque Festival

Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Leipzig

Mozart Festival in Salzburg

Elgar, Birmingham & Worcester

Bath Bachfest

Cambridge Churches, College Chapels & Organs

Music & Opera in New York

Jazz: From New Orleans to Memphis

Mahler Festival in Amsterdam

Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence

Festtage: Mozart & Beethoven in Berlin

Bergen International Festival

Melk Baroque Music Festival

Bach Festival in Leipzig

Riga Opera Festival

Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Budapest

Verona Opera Festival

Worcester Three Choirs Festival

Buxton Opera Festival

Beaune Baroque Music Festival

Schubert in Schwarzenberg

International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

Mendelssohn in Scotland

Lammermuir Music Festival

Verdi Festival in Parma

Bath Mozartfest: 30th Anniversary Tour

2020 Schedule Overview

ACE CULTURAL TOURS

ContentsStapleford Granary

STAPLEFORD GRANARY

Stapleford Granary Ar ts - Culture - Education

STAPLEFORD GRANARY

ACE Cultural Tours is a subsidiary of the Association for Cultural Exchange, a Cambridge-based educational charity founded by Philip Barnes in 1958 to encourage and develop cultural understanding in the UK and abroad. Both organisations are based at Stapleford Granary, an awardwinning study centre for music and the arts, on the southern fringes of the city and the Gog Magog downs. In converting the handsome Victorian farm buildings at Stapleford Granary, the Association’s aim was to create an inspiring space for a wide range of educational activities and to develop an exciting programme of concerts, lectures, courses and events. A thriving Youth String Orchestra, directed by Simon Cartledge, provides a very special opportunity for promising young string players to enjoy string orchestra repertoire, receive expert coaching and guidance, and benefit from a structured rehearsal schedule. By contrast, our Come & Sing sessions, open to all, offer the best in community singing with relaxed evenings around a piano, singing songs and rounds drawn from popular, folk and classical traditions in one large ensemble. The bright acoustic 4

of Stapleford Granary is an uplifting venue to build singing confidence. Stapleford Granary is also working in partnership with the Imogen Cooper Trust to provide performance and development opportunities for some of today’s most gifted young pianists. These young international artists are mostly at the end of their postgraduate studies and at the beginning of their professional careers. Imogen Cooper’s extensive experience as a solo performer, chamber musician and recording artist offers a great resource from which younger musicians can draw guidance and inspiration.

ACE Cultural Tours customers are welcome to visit Stapleford Granary to enjoy a concert or exhibition and learn more about our work. Visit www.staplefordgranary.org.uk to see what’s on and book courses and events. You can also find details of how to help support our educational programme.

Winterreise by Franz Schubert

Imogen Cooper in Concert

Tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Anna Tilbrook perform Schuber t’s masterpiece of German Lieder.

Regarded as one of the finest interpreters of Classical and Romantic reper toire, Imogen Cooper performs a selection of Chopin’s Mazurkas and Schuber t’s Sonata in G major and Moments Musicaux.

Friday 24 January 19.30

Friday 21 February 19.30

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STA PLEFORD GRANARY

“Stapleford Granary is gradually sinking into the cultural consciousness like an impressive movement of music. My first visit is at night - it lights up like a South Bank soirée - figures glamorously gathered full length in the windows - and from outside it has all the allure of a metropolitan milieu thanks to some skillful architecture. The acoustic is amazing; the lighting is heaven...Yet the entire building, recognized by the recent RIBA Awards for its outstanding quality, does have a country feel, helped by the Douglas Fir flooring and local gault brick walls. The entire building feels as if it is about to take off into more ambitious, bigger, bolder dimensions in the future.”

STAPLEFORD GRANARY

– The Cambridge Critique

The Trout Quintet

Carducci String Quartet

Andy Sheppard

Franz Schuber t’s Piano Quintet in A major, D 667, otherwise known as The Trout Quintet, will be performed by Mar tin Roscoe and members of the Allegri Quar tet along with Schuber t’s String Trio in B flat major, D 581 and Mozar t’s Piano Quar tet in G minor.

An internationally renowned AngloIrish string quar tet based in the UK, the versatile and award-winning Carducci String Quar tet perform Beethoven’s String Quar tet Op 95 “Serioso”, Dvořák’s String Quar tet Op 96 “American” and Schumann’s Piano Quintet Op 44 with Reiko Fujisawa.

Jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard is due to make a return appearance at the Granary in the autumn with pianist Rita Marcotulli. Exact dates and details will be confirmed closer to the time.

Thursday 2 July 19.30

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Friday 9 October 19.30

November 2020

UNITED KINGDOM

St Magnus Music Festival June 19 - 26, 2020 | with Paul Jackson

Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in spring 2020.

COMING SOON

•• Learn about the history of this famous festival, established by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies •• Enjoy high calibre and varied performances, presented by musicians from both Orkney and beyond •• Explore the natural and archaeological treasures of this atmospheric island Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, one of the foremost British composers of our time, moved to Orkney in the early 1970s and immersed himself in the culture of the islands. The vast majority of his subsequent compositions, including the witty An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise, have been imbued with the spirit of this remote archipelago of Neolithic monuments, sweeping beaches and rolling countryside. Soon after arriving in Orkney, Max (as he is universally known) established the St Magnus Festival, now one of Britain’s liveliest music events. The wide-ranging programme features musicians of international repute alongside members of the local community, with the festival 6

chorus – which numbers over 100 singers – drawn from all parts of Orkney.

in a selection of highlights across the range of events the festival has to offer.

Past festivals have included prestigious line-ups including the BBC Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Corsican contemporary vocal ensemble A Filetta and two of the world’s finest string quartets – the Čiurlionis Quartet and the Engegård Quartet. In addition to the main performances, the festival events include folk music, poetry readings and late night jazz. We plan to take

Orkney is famed for its sparkling light and wealth of bird and sea life, offering many delights from secluded fishing villages to isolated crofting settlements. Midsummer is a particularly special time to visit, when the landscape and seascape are illuminated by long hours of daylight. Orkney is also particularly notable for its fascinating archaeological sites, such as the stones of Stenness, the Ring of

“I am thrilled to be leading next year’s tour to the St Magnus Festival in Orkney, which takes place in the summer months of June when the night sun barely sets in this magical landscape. The festival brings together an exciting array of orchestras, choirs, and musicians from around the world in an environment that both celebrates the long tradition of the islands whilst looking to the future. You can expect a unique meeting of music, culture and landscape in this very special tour.” – ACE Tour Director Paul Jackson

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UNITED KINGDOM Ring of Brodgar

COMING SOON

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney

Brodgar, Maeshowe and Skara Brae. To complement our time at the festival we will hope to include visits to some of these famous and intriguing sites. This tour will be led by Paul Jackson, BA, MA, a conductor, pianist and musicologist and former Director of Music at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Paul has enjoyed an extensive career as a conductor of opera and as a chamber musician, performing widely in the UK, Europe and America. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in spring 2020. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: ORKF20

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney

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UNITED KINGDOM

Aldeburgh Festival June 2020 | with Nicholas Wearne

Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released early in 2020.

COMING SOON

Snape Maltings Concert Hall © Matt Jolly

•• Attend several performances at Snape Maltings, home to the festival’s famous Concert Hall •• Explore the life and legacy of Benjamin Britten with a visit to the Red House •• Delve into musical traditions both old and new in the company of our expert Tour Director In June each year, artists such as Thomas Adès, Andrew Watts, Tamsin Waley-Cohen and Ian Bostridge have assembled alongside the likes of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the London Sinfonietta and the BBC Symphony Orchestra to bring us the Aldeburgh Festival. Stirred by the vast skies and moody seas of Suffolk, Benjamin Britten was inspired to launch the festival that has blossomed into a year-round concert venue at Snape Maltings. Today, internationally acclaimed artists perform alongside up-and-coming musicians at the world-famous Concert Hall and the venue’s newer buildings.

Winter Words and Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress; the festival also enjoyed appearances from acclaimed musicians including cellist Alisa Weilerstein and tenor Mark Padmore. We hope to provide an equally varied and stimulating programme in 2020. In addition to the musical content, we will also take the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and heritage of the area on our tour. Previous departures have included a visit to the Red House, once home to Britten.

Tour Director Nicholas Wearne, BA, MPhil, is a tutor and Junior Fellow at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His career as a solo organist has taken him all over the world and he was winner of the Poul Ruders Prize at the 2011 Odense International Organ Competition. Nicholas has held a number of prestigious positions as organist, most recently at St Martinin-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in early 2020. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: ALDF20

“Special programme with excellent leader and well situated hotel” – ACE customer on a previous Aldeburgh Festival tour

Our 2019 tour covered the festival’s spectacular closing weekend, featuring performances including Britten’s 8

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FINLAND Kuhmo Festival Performers

Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival July 2020 | with Sandy Burnett

•• Enjoy a feast of musical delicacies in a stunning natural environment •• Take a traditional wooden riverboat trip on Lake Pielinen •• Learn more about the history of the festival and its music with our expert Tour Director Sandy Burnett

The festival has previously featured a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 4 and Schubert’s Symphony No 8, and a performance of works by Sibelius featuring Finnish cellist Jussi Makkonen and pianist Nazig Azezian.

The town of Kuhmo, situated a little south of the Arctic Circle in the region of Finland known as Kainuu, is the unique setting for an annual music festival hosting some of the world’s most renowned chamber musicians. The event, which began as a small village festival, encompasses a wide-ranging repertoire, a consistently high standard of performance, and a famously strong rapport between artists and audience.

Alongside the musical treats, we hope to offer daytime excursions including a traditional wooden riverboat trip on Pielinen Lake and a visit to Petola Museum, celebrating the landscape and wildlife of Kuhmo.

The pine forests surrounding Kuhmo spread unbroken over half a million hectares and are dotted by 600 lakes, providing one of the most stunning backdrops for music to be found anywhere in the world. Many performances take place in the Kuhmo Arts Centre, a comfortable, newly-built concert hall with a magnificent wooden interior and excellent acoustics.

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This tour will be led by Sandy Burnett, MA, a musician and broadcaster who spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3. His conducting credits include a complete cycle of Bach cantatas, as well as work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre. Sandy looks forward to returning to Kuhmo with an ACE group in 2020. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in early 2020. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: KUHM20

“Wonderfully organised festival in an amazing location. I learnt a lot” “I loved everything about this tour” - ACE customers on a previous Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival tour

COMING SOON

Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released early in 2020.

IRELAND

Wexford Opera Festival October 2020 | with Donald Maxwell and John Redmill Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released early in 2020.

COMING SOON

Wexford Opera Festival

•• Attend several operatic performances at Wexford’s stunning National Opera House •• Discover forgotten operatic treasures, innovatively produced and staged •• Explore the history and beautiful architecture of Ireland with daytime excursions Nestling amidst the medieval streets of old Wexford, Ireland’s most impressive music venue – the National Opera House – celebrates a superb annual festival of opera with an impressive range of music and performers. Since the first annual festival of music and the arts took place in 1951, Wexford Opera Festival has grown into one of the leading operatic events of the year and draws audiences from all over the world to enjoy often-neglected works and forgotten masterpieces. The festival is particularly well known for introducing up-and-coming stars, conductors and directors. Previous ACE tours to the festival have featured performances of Herculaneum by Félicien-César David, a four act opera created for the Paris Opera in 1859, 10

and Saverio Mercadante’s Il Bravo, one of the composer’s most important and successful works, as well as the world premiere of Andrew Synnott’s La cucina. Visits have included backstage tours of the National Opera House and excursions into the beautiful surrounding area, including to Waterford with its Viking remains and Georgian cathedrals, and to the ancestral seat of the Marquesses of Waterford in nearby Curraghmore. The area is also home to the Victorian Wells House and Gardens, designed by renowned English architect Daniel Robertson in the 1830s.

This tour will be led by Donald Maxwell and John Redmill, DipArch, FRIAI. Donald is an operatic baritone, director and lecturer who has performed with leading opera companies all over the world, including the Metropolitan Opera. John is an English architect who moved to Dublin in 1978, and has worked, advised and lectured on many important historical Irish buildings. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in early 2020. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: WEXF20

“John and Donald were a perfect combination – witty, clever and informative” “I have been to the Wexford Festival before and always enjoyed it, but this ACE tour was especially wonderful… It will be long remembered with pleasure” - ACE customers on a previous Wexford Opera Festival tour led by Donald Maxwell and John Redmill

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UNITED KINGDOM

Glyndebourne October 2020 | with Nicholas Wearne

Glyndebourne House

•• Enjoy several performances from Glyndebourne’s autumn tour, all presented at the festival’s famous opera house •• Explore the beautiful county of Sussex with visits to houses and galleries •• Develop a greater understanding of each opera in the company of expert Tour Director Nicholas Wearne Every year, the Glyndebourne tour produces an exhilarating programme of world-class opera featuring young and promising singers. Many international careers – such as those of Thomas Allen, Felicity Lott and Willard White – began with Glyndebourne Touring Opera, as it was originally called. We look forward to returning in 2020 for another inspiring musical programme, based at the festival’s East Sussex home. Previous ACE tours to Glyndebourne have included performances of some of the world’s most beloved operas. These have ranged from Verdi’s Rigoletto and Mozart’s Così fan tutte to Handel’s Rinaldo and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Glyndebourne balances tradition with 01223 841055

innovation, and performances take place in its modern, world-class opera house. We hope to offer two tours in 2020, each of which will feature selected evening operas woven around daytime excursions to nearby cultural attractions. The county of Sussex features an array of cultural highlights, and previous tours have included visits to Charleston House, the home of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and a meeting place of the Bloomsbury Group, and to the Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne, home to one of the most important collections of art in the south of England.

Our Glyndebourne tours will be led by Nicholas Wearne, BA, MPhil, a former ACE Bursary student and organist at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. Nicholas is currently a tutor and Junior Fellow at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His career as a solo organist has taken him all over the world, and he was winner of the Poul Ruders Prize at the 2011 Odense International Organ Competition. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in the spring of 2020. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: GLYN20

“An excellent itinerary with an excellent guide. I could ask for no more” “Superb, we hugely enjoyed all three operas. Nicholas Wearne is a great guide for these tours” – ACE customers on previous Glyndebourne tours with Nicholas Wearne

COMING SOON

Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme will be released in the spring of 2020.

AUSTRIA Haydn Church on Kalvarienberg

Haydn in Eisenstadt September 2020 | with John Deathridge

Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released towards the end of 2019.

COMING SOON

•• Enjoy a glittering programme of performances in the city where Haydn lived, conducted and composed •• Highlights for 2020 include a performance of Beethoven’s Mass in C major, composed for the Esterházy family, during the composer’s 250th anniversary year •• Explore the life and work of Haydn with visits to a range of cultural sites including Vienna Close to the Hungarian border, the now Austrian city of Eisenstadt boasts a rich musical and cultural heritage. Once the seat of the Hungarian Esterházy family, it was also home to the great classical composer Joseph Haydn, who, as Hofkapellmeister, worked as director of the court orchestra and composed works in the city. Today, the 17th century Esterházy Palace is inextricably bound up with Haydn’s music to the extent that its hall, which has been preserved exactly as it was in Haydn’s time, is now called the Haydnsaal. Richly adorned with colourful frescoes and images of Hungarian kings, the hall also boasts some of the finest acoustics to be found anywhere in the world. Building on a grand tradition of festivals centred on Haydn and related composers, as well the Esterházys 12

themselves, the autumnal Herbstgold Festival was recently launched to great acclaim. The 2019 edition featured an impressive international line-up and a programme that deftly referenced the relationship between Austria and Hungary, thirty years since the borders reopened; and the 2020 festival promises an equally compelling programme on the theme of ‘tradition and progress’. One of the highlights of next year’s festival will be an opening performance of Beethoven’s Mass in C major with the Haydn Philharmonic under Nicholas Alstaedt. Arguably Haydn’s most celebrated student, Beethoven composed this work for the city of Eisenstadt and the Esterhazy princes, and the relationship between the two composers – as well as changes in musical styles and performance during this period – is particularly apt in the 250th year of Beethoven’s birth.

We hope to continue our exploration of the life and work of Haydn by visiting places associated with him, including his birthplace at Rohrau, and his houses – now museums – in Eisenstadt and Vienna. We also hope to include a performance at one of Vienna’s fine concert venues, subject to forthcoming programmes. This tour will be led by John Deathridge, MA, DPhil, FRCO. John is currently Emeritus King Edward Professor of Music at King’s College London. Before that he taught at the universities of Princeton, Chicago and Cambridge, and he continues to be active as a performer and regular broadcaster. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released towards the end of 2019. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: HAYD20

John Deathridge is regarded as one of the world’s foremost Wagner experts and a noted authority on Beethoven. He is also a former President of the Royal Musical Association (2005-8), Britain’s most learned music society. His latest publication is an introduction to, and a translation of, Wagner’s epic cycle The Ring of the Nibelung (Penguin Random House 2018); he is currently researching a new study, with J S Bach and Beethoven at its centre, on the history and influence of German music. acecultur altour s.co.uk

POLAND Chopin

Chopin International Piano Competition October, 2020 | with John Br yden

•• Experience a portion of this spectacular competition, undertaken every five years, in the heart of Warsaw •• Explore the cultural heritage of Poland’s capital city, including several sites relating to Chopin •• Journey to Zelazowa Wola for a visit to the composer’s birthplace museum Every five years, Warsaw stages one of the most prestigious musical events in the world: the Chopin International Piano Competition. Its winner in 2015 was Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho, who has since gone on to debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker. The festival reflects Poland’s passion for Chopin, who was born some 30 miles outside Warsaw and spent almost twenty years in the Polish capital. We are delighted to be making a return visit to the competition in 2020. Much of our time will be spent attending competition rounds, which take place in Warsaw’s National Philharmonic, a major cultural institution founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Interspersed with these, we will make the most of our time in Warsaw 01223 841055

with visits to major sites linked to the composer’s life and the cultural heritage of Poland’s capital city. A young Chopin attended the Church of the Nuns of the Visitation, while his heart is interred in Holy Cross Church, an impressive Baroque building whose turbulent history is closely intertwined with that of Poland. The Ostrogski Palace, home to the Frederyk Chopin Society, will welcome us for a visit, and our tour will also offer opportunities to visit Chopin’s delightful but unpretentious birthplace museum at Zelazowa Wola. As we explore this rich and inviting city, we hope to include opportunities to enjoy private recitals with our Tour Director, a distinguished pianist himself.

This tour will be led by John Bryden, MA, ARCM, ARCO, an international concert pianist, organist and music lecturer who has given concerts from California to Kathmandu via Wigmore Hall. John is a member of the Dartington Piano Duo and for many years coached at the Dartington International Summer School, where he performed in masterclasses given by Jacqueline du Pré. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released early in 2020. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: CHOP20

“After playing the C sharp minor Scherzo in Guido Agosti’s Summer Masterclass in Siena, I was told by two fellow students from Poland, ‘You play Chopin like a Pole’ - the highest commendation! I look forward to returning to Warsaw next October to hear the finest young pianists from across the world receive the same accolade.” – ACE Tour Director John Br yden 13

COMING SOON

Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released early in 2020.

AUSTRIA

Music & Opera in Vienna November 2020 | with Richard Wigmore Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in the spring of 2020.

COMING SOON

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

•• Attend several spectacular performances spread across Vienna’s world renowned venues •• Enjoy the sights and sounds of Vienna at this atmospheric time of year, including its famous Christmas markets •• Explore the wider history and culture of Austria’s capital city Vienna has probably inspired more music than any other city. Rich in history, culture and romance, it was the capital of a vast multi-ethnic empire for several hundred years. Many of the world’s most celebrated composers lived and created works of musical genius among the city’s glorious surroundings. Our winter tour to Vienna offers the opportunity to enjoy a series of performances in the city’s spectacular music venues. Previous ACE tours have taken in Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece Eugene Onegin in the surroundings of the State Opera House, and Mahler’s sweeping Symphony No 5 at the Konzerthaus. Rarer works have included Spontini’s influential La vestale at the Theater an der Wien, and we regularly include an evening at the 14

glittering Musikverein, one of the most beloved concert halls in the world. We look forward to a similarly rich breadth of musical content on our 2020 tour, as well as daytime visits taking in Vienna’s architectural beauty and artistic treasures – including the sweeping Ringstrasse and the Museum of Art History. There will also be an opportunity to experience the delights of Vienna’s celebrated Christmas markets, magical yet temporary wonderlands, whose presence in the city dates back to the Middle Ages.

This tour will be led by Richard Wigmore, MA, AGSM, a writer, broadcaster, lecturer and former professional singer. In addition to leading tours for ACE, Richard frequently appears on BBC Radio 3’s Record Review and contributes to Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine among other journals. Full details, including the cost, full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in the spring of 2020. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest. TOUR CODE: OPVI20

“The whole tour was well balanced with great musical events and time for sightseeing” “This was a most enjoyable tour. Recommend strongly” - ACE customers on a previous Music & Opera in Vienna tour

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MALTA

Valletta International Baroque Festival January 10 -16, 2020 from £2195 per person | with Ashley Solomon St John’s Co-Cathedral,Valletta

One of two European Capitals of Culture in 2018, Valletta has for several years offered a magnificent annual festival celebrating some of the finest Baroque music in the world. Our festival tour will encompass not only performances by world-class musicians, but we will also gain an insight into the vibrant history of a country with foundations stretching back to some of the world’s oldest civilisations. The 2020 festival programme promises musical delights in the shape of two performances from early music ensemble La Serenissima, renowned for their interpretations of Vivaldi as well as their engaging rapport with audiences. Another internationally celebrated period ensemble, the Grenoble-based Les Musiciens du Louvre – recently described by The Guardian as “one of the best orchestras in the world” – will enchant us with music by Porpora and Handel. Indeed, the group has been particularly acclaimed for its contribution to the rediscovery of Handelian works, which chimes with the festival’s aim to present both known and lesser-known works. In contrast with these larger groups, awardwinning bass and lutenist Joel Frederiksen, who specialises in unaccompanied lute song, will perform a programme of Renaissance and early Baroque music from England, Italy and France. 01223 841055

Alongside the music, the ancient history of Valletta is investigated in the prehistoric temples and walled city of Victoria on the island of Gozo, while the island’s Roman heritage is presented in Rabat’s Domus Romana Museum. We will also make a visit to the Casa Rocca Piccola; built in 1580, this resplendent palace is home to one of the most beautiful private collections of Maltese lace in the city. We will stay throughout in Valletta’s five-star Phoenicia Hotel, a recently renovated luxury hotel with magnificent gardens, located a short walk from the major visits on our tour. Please note that while we will endeavour to deliver the below itinerary in full, the festival’s musical programme may be subject to change. This tour will be led by Ashley Solomon, FRCM, FRAM, HonRCM, ARAM, Chair and Head of Historical Performance at London’s Royal College of Music and Director of the Baroque ensemble Florilegium. Ashley was the first European to be awarded the coveted Hans Roth Prize. He has performed at the Valletta Festival several times in the past and is delighted to be returning with a group in 2020. Cost of £2195 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, one lunch, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £270. TOUR CODE: VALL20

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1125 on Air Malta, arriving Malta 1535. Transfer to the Phoenicia Hotel for six nights. Welcome and introduction followed by evening festival performance at the Teatru Manoel featuring Les Musiciens du Louvre: works by Handel and Porpora. Day 2 Morning lecture followed by walking tour of Valletta including Co-Cathedral of St John and Oratory, Palace of the Grand Masters and Casa Rocca Piccola. Evening festival performance at the Collegiate Church of St Paul, Rabat, featuring La Serenissima: works by Vivaldi. Day 3 Morning lecture followed by visit to Buskett Gardens and lunchtime festival performance at Verdala Palace featuring Les Contre Sujets (baroque ensemble): music by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Handel and Telemann. Free time followed by evening festival performance at Teatru Manoel featuring La Serenissima: works by Telemann, Fasch and Vivaldi. Day 4 Rabat for Domus Romana Museum and St Paul’s Catacombs. Afternoon: Mdina for Cathedral and Museum. Evening festival performance at the Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar, featuring Joel Frederiksen (voice and lute): English, French and Italian music from the late Renaissance and early Baroque. Day 5 Whole day ferry excursion to island of Gozo: prehistoric temple of Ggantija, Dwejra Bay, Victoria and St John’s Basilica. Day 6 Morning lecture followed by visits in Valletta – ‘The Three Cities’ tour. Evening festival performance at the Church of St Philip of Agira, Haż-Żebbuġ, featuring Cantar Lontano, Valletta Baroque Ensemble and the Monteverdi Project: Requiem in C minor. Day 7 Illustrated morning lecture: The Baroque Flute – its History, Development and Repertoire. Some free time. Depart Malta 1655, arriving Heathrow 1925. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:This tour involves extensive walking within Valletta and during our excursions to Mdina and Gozo. Participants should be comfortable walking over uneven ground and have a good overall level of fitness.

MUSIC

•• Bask in the blissful sounds of La Serenissima and Les Musiciens du Louvre, two of the world’s finest early music ensembles •• Enjoy an evocative performance from bass and lutenist Joel Frederiksen •• Delve into Malta’s fascinating history with a visit to the island of Gozo, inhabited for thousands of years

GERMANY

Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Leipzig January 14 - 20, 2020 from £2695 per person | with Alberto Massimo

Leipzig Opera House

MUSIC

•• Attend the four critically acclaimed Ring Cycle performances in the city of Wagner’s birth •• Take a day trip to Dresden, home to the splendid Semper Opera House where Wagner premiered several works •• Enjoy the musical delights of Leipzig, from an exhibition on the young Wagner to the celebrated BachArchiv Born in 1813 in Leipzig, Richard Wagner undertook much of his musical education in the city, and its myriad of musical offerings left a significant mark on his own development. Attending Leipzig University, Wagner embarked upon the first of his major compositions – the beginning of a lifelong career that would encompass the majestic fourwork masterpiece at the heart of our tour: Der Ring des Nibelungen. Together, these dramatic and immersive operas tell of an epic struggle between gods, heroes and mythological beings over the eponymous, all-powerful magic ring. Given his connection with the city, it is hardly surprising that Wagner’s Ring Cycle has come to play such an important role in Leipzig’s operatic calendar. Since 2016 – when its first full Ring received huge critical praise – Leipzig has presented the cycle annually, and we are delighted to be taking in this magnificent production in 2020. Arriving at Leipzig’s stunning opera house, which traces its musical heritage back to the late 17th century, we will take our seats for each of the four performances over a five-night period.

Leipzig is a treasure trove of musical delights, from a museum dedicated to Mendelssohn’s life and musical career in the city, to one of the most important centres for Bach scholarship in the world; while an exhibition on the young Wagner, set within the Alte Nikolaischule where he took piano lessons, will occupy another of our mornings. An excursion to Saxony’s capital Dresden, Wagner’s home for more than twenty years, will enable us to explore the composer’s musical development over time. Here we will take in the city’s Frauenkirche, a spectacular example of Protestant sacred architecture, in addition to a tour of the Semper Opera House (subject to confirmation), which has staged several Wagnerian premieres including Tannhäuser and The Flying Dutchman. We also hope to feature private recitals from our Tour Director, subject to confirmation nearer the time.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1010, arriving Berlin 1300. Transfer to Seaside Park Hotel, Leipzig, for six nights. Welcome and introduction. Day 2 Morning lecture followed by orientation walking tour of Leipzig. Free afternoon. Early evening performance at Leipzig Opera House: Das Rheingold. Day 3 Morning lecture followed by visit to the Bach-Archiv (the world’s pre-eminent centre of Bach scholarship). Free afternoon. Early evening performance at Leipzig Opera House: Die Walküre. Day 4 Whole day excursion to Dresden, including visit to the Frauenkirche, guided tour of the Semperoper (subject to confirmation) and free time for exploration. Free evening. Day 5 Morning lecture followed by visit to Mendelssohn House Museum with piano recital by Tour Director. Free afternoon. Early evening performance at Leipzig Opera House: Siegfried. Day 6 Morning lecture followed by visit to the Alte Nikolaischule (exhibition on the young Wagner). Free afternoon. Early evening performance at Leipzig Opera House: Götterdämmerung. Day 7 Transfer to Berlin for 1350 departure, arriving Heathrow 1455.

We stay in the centre of Leipzig at the Seaside Park Hotel, a four-star Art Deco residence situated within easy walking distance of the opera house.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:This tour will be taken at a relaxed pace with free time to relax around the performances. Participants should be comfortable undertaking short walking tours in Leipzig and Dresden, sometimes involving cobbles and uneven surfaces.

Tour Director Alberto Massimo, PhD, has studied in Vienna, Salzburg, Sienna, Rome and Edinburgh. He holds a BMus in organ, trumpet, double bass and composition as well as a doctorate and diploma in conducting. In Rome he received appointments as ‘maestro di cappella’ (organist, choirmaster and conductor), and occasionally played for Papal Mass at the Vatican.

Cost of £2695 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, four lunches, three opera plates, two dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £165. TOUR CODE: WRLP20

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AUSTRIA Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 0925 on British Airways, arriving Salzburg 1220. Transfer to Hotel Imlauer & Bräu Salzburg for six nights. Short orientation walking tour. Evening concert at the Grosses Festspielhaus featuring Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under Daniel Barenboim (conductor & piano) with Radek Baborák (horn): Mozart Symphony No 33 in B flat major, K 319, Horn Concerto No 3 in E flat major, K 447, Piano Concerto No 20 in D minor, K 466.

Mozart Festival in Salzburg

Day 2 Morning lecture followed by guided walking tour of Salzburg to include Mozart’s birthplace, cathedral and Mozart’s Wohnhaus. Afternoon concert performance at the Felsenreitschule featuring Cappella Andrea Barca and Arnold Schoenberg Choir under Sir András Schiff (conductor, continuo) with soloists: Mozart The Marriage of Figaro.

Salzburg Cathedral

•• Experience the best of the composer’s wind and brass works, featuring acclaimed French horn player Radek Baborák •• Sir András Schiff and Rolando Villazón present Le nozze di Figaro in Salzburg’s famous Felsenreitschule •• Make an excursion to the neoclassical Kaiservilla, once the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph I Building on its remarkable legacy of performances over many years, the annual Mozart Festival returns for a celebration of the composer’s works for wind and brass and the personal connections that both inspired and brought these compositions to life. We could ask for no more impressive a line-up of performers and conductors, who, in tandem with illuminating lectures from our Tour Director, will help us to understand the significance of these pieces within the great composer’s repertoire. A highlight will be the commencement of a major series of Mozart symphonies and concertos from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Daniel Barenboim. They are joined in our opening performance by acclaimed French horn player Radek Baborák for Mozart’s Horn Concerto No 3 in E flat major; and Baborák later takes to the conducting podium himself to present his own interpretation of a selection of quartets and quintets, featuring the wonderful Takács Quartet. Le nozze di Figaro is surely one of Mozart’s most beloved operas, and we will have the privilege of experiencing this in concert under the baton of Sir András Schiff, with a spectacular 01223 841055

cast, adapted by Villazón for Salzburg’s expansive Felsenreitschule. Award-winning pianist and conductor Mitsuko Uchida, DBE, renowned for her interpretations of Mozart and Schubert, will continue her partnership with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in a programme of concertos for piano and flute; while our fifth evening affords the opportunity to experience the sublime Concerto for flute, harp and orchestra, the only Mozart composition written specially for the harp. Uncovering Salzburg’s musical heritage, we will explore Mozart’s birthplace and Wohnhaus and enjoy a unique private tour of original manuscripts, guided by an archivist of the Mozarteum. Our tour also includes a visit to the 17th century Residenz – the sumptuous home of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, where Mozart performed as a boy. We stay at the four-star Hotel Imlauer & Bräu Salzburg, a pleasant and comfortable establishment ideally placed for exploring the main sites on our tour. Tour Director John Bryden, MA, ARCM, ARCO is an organist and pianist who has performed internationally as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. Formerly a senior lecturer in music at Dartington College, John has also taught at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh. Cost of £2945 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, one lunch, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £295.

Day 3 Morning lecture followed by guided tour of the original archives in the Mozarteum’s Autograph Vault. Free time. Afternoon concert at the Stiftung Mozarteum featuring Mahler Chamber Orchestra with Mitsuko Uchida (conductor, piano) and soloists: Mozart Piano Concerto No 17 in G major, K 453, Flute Quartet No 1 in D major, K 285, Piano Concerto No 22 in E flat major, K 482. Day 4 Morning lecture followed by visit to Salzburg Residenz and free time (optional visit to Cathedral and Franciscan church). Evening concert at the Stiftung Mozarteum featuring L’Arpeggiata and Salzburg Bach Choir under Christina Pluhar (director) with Julia Lezhneva (soprano), Benedetta Mazzucato (mezzo), Topi Lehtipuu (tenor) and Dingle Yandell (bass): Mozart Vesperae solennes de Confessore (Solemn Vespers for a Confessor) for soloists, choir and organ, K 339; Handel ‘Ode auf St Caecilia’, HWV 76, arr. Mozart, K 592. Day 5 Whole day excursion to the Salzkammergut area including private visit to the Kaiservilla (summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph I) and visit to church in St Wolfgang. Evening concert at the Grosses Festspielhaus featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Lahav Shani (conductor, pianist) and soloists: Mozart Concerto for flute, harp and orchestra in C major, K 299, Piano Concerto No 27 in B flat major, K 595, Symphony No 40 in G minor, K 550. Day 6 Morning lecture followed by late morning concert at the Stiftung Mozarteum featuring Andreas Ottensamer (clarinet), Thomas Riebl (viola), Radek Baborák (horn) and the Takács Quartet: Mozart String Quartet No 22 in B flat major, K 589, Horn Quintet in E flat major, K 407, String Quartet No 21 in D major, K 575, Clarinet Quintet in A major ‘Stadler Quintet’, K 581. Free afternoon with option to visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress via funicular (weather permitting) to enjoy beautiful views over Salzburg. Day 7 Depart Salzburg 1105, arriving Gatwick 1205. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:This tour involves a significant amount of walking to our daytime visits and concert venues, however this is mainly over flat ground, some of which is within the pedestrian zone of Salzburg. While this makes for a relaxing overall experience, participants should be aware of the amount of walking and have a good overall level of fitness. Itinerary and visits subject to festival programme confirmation and weather.

TOUR CODE: MOZS20

MUSIC

January 25 - 31, 2020 from £2945 per person with John Br yden

UNITED KINGDOM

Elgar, Birmingham & Worcester February 8 - 13, 2020 from £1495 per person | with Nicholas Wearne

St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham

MUSIC

•• Nicola Benedetti joins Klaus Mäkelä and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for Bartók’s Violin Concerto No 2 •• City Organist Thomas Trotter gives his 800th solo recital – including Dukas’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice – and Iceland’s Symphony Orchestra plays Sibelius’s Symphony No 1 •• Explore the places that inspired Elgar’s works, including the Malvern Hills, and enjoy private recitals from our Tour Director On this tour we will savour the rich and varied classical musical scene to be found in the city of Birmingham, and spend time exploring Elgar country in nearby Worcester and the Malvern Hills. We will enjoy private recitals alongside three outstanding performances at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, widely considered to be one of the best concert spaces in the world. Our tour opens with a virtuosic performance from one of the nation’s most celebrated violinists, Nicola Benedetti, who joins forces with rising conducting star Klaus Mäkelä for Bartók’s fiery Violin Concerto No 2. This work is coupled with Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. On our third day we are invited to “Come and celebrate!” as Birmingham marks City Organist Thomas Trotter’s 800th solo recital. Our musical programme concludes with an orchestral tour-deforce from Iceland’s Symphony Orchestra, who will bring us Bizet’s L’Arlésienne 18

Suite No 2, Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand, and Sibelius’s Symphony No 1. Turning to the surrounding region, we will explore the life and music of Elgar through several visits in Elgar Country, including the composer’s birthplace, Worcester Cathedral and St George’s Church, where Elgar and his father were organists. Here, we will enjoy the privilege of an illustrated talk with musical examples given by our Tour Director. We will also take in a performance in Great Malvern’s atmospheric Priory, in the shadow of Elgar’s beloved Malvern Hills. In Birmingham itself, we will enjoy a visit to the archive of Elgar documents at the Cadbury Research Library and take in a private recital at the city’s new Royal Conservatoire building. Wider cultural visits will include the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, St Chad’s Cathedral, St Mary’s Convent in Handsworth, and Birmingham’s Museum and Art Gallery. Our base throughout this tour will be the four-star Hyatt Regency Birmingham Hotel, located in central Birmingham opposite the Symphony Hall. Please note that while we will endeavour to deliver the below itinerary in full, some elements, including the musical programme, may be subject to change. This tour will be led by Nicholas Wearne, BA, MPhil, a former ACE Bursary student. Nicholas lives in Birmingham, and works as a Junior Fellow at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Day 1 Tour assembles 1400 at Hyatt Regency Birmingham Hotel for five nights. Short orientation walking tour. Evening performance at Birmingham Symphony Hall featuring Nicola Benedetti (violin) and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with Klaus Mäkelä (conductor): Bartók Violin Concerto No 2, BB 117; Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Op 14. Day 2 Morning lecture followed by optional Sunday morning service at St Philip’s Cathedral. Afternoon visit to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and some free time. Day 3 Morning visit to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for guided tour and private recital. Lunchtime ‘800th’ solo organ recital at Birmingham Symphony Hall featuring Thomas Trotter (organ): J S Bach Prelude & Fugue in E minor BWV 548; Schumann Two Fugues on B A C H; Rachel Laurin (new commission); A Wammes Miroir; Dukas arr. T Trotter L’Apprenti Sorcier. Afternoon visit to the University of Birmingham for Cadbury Research Library and opportunity to visit the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Free evening. Day 4 Morning visit to St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth, followed by afternoon visit to the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. Evening performance at Birmingham Symphony Hall featuring Iceland Symphony Orchestra with Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor) and WJean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano): Bizet L’Arlésienne Suite No 2; Ravel Concerto for the Left Hand in D major; Sibelius Symphony No 1 in E minor, Op 39. Day 5 Whole day excursion to Worcester for St George’s Church including illustrated talk: Elgar and the Midlands with musical examples (Elgar Vesper Voluntaries, Op 14) followed by Worcester Cathedral and The Firs (Elgar’s birthplace). Continue to Malvern Hills for visit to Great Malvern Priory with private organ recital: Elgar Organ Sonata, Op 28. Day 6 Morning visit to St Chad’s Cathedral (with short organ recital). Tour disperses 1200 at St Chad’s Cathedral or 1230 at Birmingham New Street Station, followed by the hotel. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: While this tour is not especially strenuous, participants should feel comfortable exploring Birmingham on foot and standing in galleries. Some church interiors may be dimly lit and involve traversing uneven ground. Cost of £1495 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £295. TOUR CODE: ELBW20

“Courteous, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable” – ACE customer who previously travelled with Nicholas Wearne acecultur altour s.co.uk

UNITED KINGDOM

Bath Bachfest February 20 - 23, 2020 from £1175 per person | with Sandy Burnett

Brecon Baroque ©Theresa Pewal

Alongside its acclaimed and longestablished Mozartfest, the beautiful Georgian city of Bath now hosts a second annual festival to celebrate one of Europe’s most eminent composers: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). Launched in 2012, the festival has now become a firm favourite in the city’s cultural calendar, and performances take place in some of Bath’s most iconic surroundings. The 2020 festival features a programme of works by Bach as well as a strong offering of works by those linked to him, performed by specialist soloists and ensembles. Our tour will take in the full festival programme. We will begin with the festival’s opening concert in St Mary’s Church, Bathwick, featuring works by Purcell and Scarlatti performed by The Sixteen, one of the world’s most renowned choirs. We continue with an early afternoon concert of Bach’s sonatas in E minor and C major for recorder and basso continuo, as well as his Sonata in B minor for recorder and harpsichord, performed by Danish recorder player Michala Petri and renowned harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani. We look forward to a performance exploring ‘Bach’s Dynasty’, featuring works by J S Bach as well as his relations, Johann Michael Bach and Johann Christian Bach, and the Danish-German Baroque 01223 841055

organist Dieterich Buxtehude, to whom the young J S Bach once journeyed. Taking place in the elegant Assembly Rooms, this performance will feature dynamic ensemble Brecon Baroque directed by its founder, violinist Rachel Podger, and mezzo-soprano Ciara Hendrick, acclaimed as one of the Rising Stars for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment 2018/19. Our tour finishes with a concert of works by Francois Couperin and Bach performed by acclaimed period instrument ensemble Florilegium, including Bach’s organ trio sonatas in E minor and G major (arr. Florilegium). An illustrated lecture given by our Tour Director on the Schantz fortepiano at the Holburne Museum will offer musical insights as well as an opportunity to explore the collections of fine and decorative arts housed at this Grade-I listed building, Bath’s first public art gallery. We also look forward to exploring the city’s earlier history with a visit to the world-famous Roman Baths.

Day 1 Tour assembles 1515 at the Abbey Hotel, Bath, for three nights. Afternoon lecture: Soli Deo Gloria – A Survey of Bach’s Life and Achievements followed by evening performance at St Mary’s Church, Bathwick featuring The Sixteen: works by Purcell & Scarlatti. Day 2 Further visits in Bath followed by early afternoon performance at the Guildhall featuring Michala Petri (recorder) and Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord): works by J S Bach and Jacob van Eyck. Some free time. Evening performance at the Assembly Rooms featuring Brecon Baroque, Rachel Podger (violin, director) and Ciara Hendrick (mezzo-soprano): ‘Bach Dynasty’ – works by J S Bach, J M Bach, Buxtehude and J C Bach. Day 3 Morning lecture: Borrowing from the Neighbours – French and Italian Influences on Bach’s Music followed by late morning performance at the Guildhall featuring Florilegium: ‘The Grand Masters’ – works by Couperin and J S Bach. Afternoon visit to the Roman Baths. Evening performance at the Assembly Rooms featuring the Academy of Ancient Music, Bojan Cicic (violin, director), Rowan Pierce (soprano) and David Blackadder (trumpet): ‘Rejoice’ – works by Clarke, Handel, Corelli, Torelli, Purcell and J S Bach. Day 4 Morning visit to the Holburne Museum with illustrated lecture on the Schantz fortepiano followed by tour dispersal.

We will stay at the four-star Abbey Hotel, located within Georgian townhouses in the heart of the city.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is not strenuous but does involve some walking, which can be over uneven or uphill sections of pavement.

Please note that although we will endeavour to deliver the below itinerary in full, some elements may be subject to confirmation, including the musical programme.

Cost of £1175 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £180.

This tour will be led by Sandy Burnett, MA, a musician and broadcaster who spent over a decade as one of the best-known classical music presenters on BBC Radio 3. He has conducted the major sacred works by J S Bach, and has masterminded a complete cycle of the sacred cantatas.

TOUR CODE: BABF20

MUSIC

•• Enjoy music by Bach alongside works by his contemporaries •• Learn about the history of this beautiful city with a guided tour of the Roman Baths •• Enjoy an illustrated lecture on the Schantz fortepiano at Bath’s impressive Holburne Museum

UNITED KINGDOM

Cambridge Churches, College Chapels & Organs February 21 - 23, 2020 from £785 per person | with John Bryden

King’s College Chapel

MUSIC

•• Experience our Tour Director John Bryden’s expert organ playing in the stunning surroundings of Cambridge’s famous chapels •• In the 250th year of Beethoven’s birth, travel to Stapleford Granary to hear a magnificent concert dedicated to the composer’s violin and piano sonatas •• Enjoy a performance of Schubert’s piano sonatas from distinguished pianist Imogen Cooper Cambridge, along with Oxford and Edinburgh, boasts more fine organs than any other city in the UK. On this musical exploration we will enjoy several recitals given by our Tour Director, John Bryden, at many of the university’s historical colleges. Our first afternoon will take us to Madingley Hall for a leisurely lunch, followed by a visit to Girton College Chapel with its four-manual-mechanical action organ by St Martin of Switzerland, installed in 2002. This will be paired with a visit to the innovative 20th century surroundings of Churchill College, whose chapel caused great controversy when first proposed. Eventually founded on the peripheries of the college’s grounds, the building is home to an impressively versatile organ by E J Johnson & Son, later overhauled by Norman Hall & Sons in 2000. The following morning will introduce us to 20

the contrasting atmosphere of Magdalene College, the site of the remarkable 17th century Pepys Library, which houses the famous writer’s original diaries alongside a host of collected books, manuscripts, documents and prints. We will also explore the wide-open courts of St Catharine’s, whose chapel contains a new 1978 organ built by E J Johnson behind the façade of its earlier 1895 instrument, and incorporating many of the original stops. Today, and largely as a result of recent refurbishment, the organ truly sings within the chapel’s acoustics. No visit to Cambridge would be complete without a chance to sample its world celebrated choral tradition, and our tour will include a visit to King’s College to hear Choral Evensong. Meanwhile, Stapleford Granary, home to the ACE Foundation and ACE Cultural Tours, will be our venue for a beautiful concert of Schubert piano sonatas by Imogen Cooper, followed on our second evening by a concert dedicated to Beethoven’s piano and violin sonatas – a timely programme during the composer’s 250th anniversary year – performed by violinist Savitri Grier and pianist Richard Uttley. We will stay throughout at Cambridge’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, which enjoys a riverside city centre location. As access to the colleges is subject

to availability, we cannot confirm some visits until nearer the time. This tour will be led by international concert pianist and organist John Bryden, MA, ARCM, ARCO. John studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and is an experienced classical music lecturer. Day 1 Tour assembles 1130 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Cambridge, for two nights. Lunch at Madingley Hall followed by afternoon visits to Girton College and Churchill College, including organ recitals. Independent dinner followed by evening performance at Stapleford Granary featuring Imogen Cooper (piano): Schubert piano sonatas. Day 2 Visits including Magdalene College (Pepys Library & organ recital) and St Catharine’s College. Evening concert at Stapleford Granary featuring Savitri Grier (violin) and Richard Uttley (piano): Beethoven violin & piano sonatas. Day 3 Morning: choral service at King’s College Chapel. Tour disperses 1230 at hotel. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is taken at a relaxed pace however please note that visits to some of the colleges will be taken on foot, and participants should be prepared for some busy areas with narrow pavements. Cost of £785 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, two lunches, one light supper with water & coffee (day 2), excursions & admissions, gratuities Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £140. TOUR CODE: CCCO20

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USA

Music & Opera in New York March 1 - 7, 2020 from £3595 per person | with John Deathridge Manhattan

For lovers of opera and classical music, there is nothing quite like the experience of live performances in New York’s world famous venues. Featuring a stellar line-up of instrumentalists, conductors and operatic stars, our tour provides an engrossing introduction to the musical heritage of this cultural centre, interspersing concerts of the highest calibre with explorations of the city’s architectural, artistic and political history. We enter the Metropolitan Opera under two huge Chagall murals. Here we will enjoy two of the world’s bestknown operas: Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer and Verdi’s La traviata. Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel takes on the title role in Wagner’s stirring sea-bound epic. La traviata meanwhile is once again brought to life in luxurious style by Michael Mayer, whose acclaimed production features an excellent cast including tenor Vittorio Grigolo and soprano Lisette Oropesa, recent winner of the Met’s own Beverly Sills Artist Award. An equally esteemed cast will bring us a first ever performance for the Met: Agrippina, Handel’s first operatic masterpiece. Celebrated mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato performs the title role, joined by countertenor Iestyn Davies, bass Matthew Rose, soprano Brenda Rae and mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey.

Our operatic programme is enhanced by two performances of works by Beethoven at the Carnegie Hall – resplendent with its grand Italianate façade – including the composer’s beautiful cello sonatas, violin sonatas, and piano trios performed by celebrated pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Leonidas Kavakos and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Making the most of our time in New York, our tour takes in famous sites including Times Square, Broadway, Greenwich Village, Ground Zero and Central Park. We will enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty on a harbour tour, and ascend the Empire State Building. Complementing the music, our city explorations will also include the city’s artistic highlights at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum and Frick Collection. We will stay throughout at the fourstar Marriott East Side in the heart of Manhattan, ideally located for our performances and visits. Although international travel between the UK and New York is not included in the price of this tour, the ACE office is able to offer participants the same flight arrangements and transfers as the tour personnel (subject to availability) at a supplementary cost. Please contact the ACE office for further details. Tour Director John Deathridge, MA, DPhil, is Emeritus King Edward Professor of Music at King’s College London. John is a former President of the Royal Musical Association, Britain’s most learned music society, and has taught at the universities of Princeton, Chicago,Vienna and Cambridge.

Day 1 Tour assembles 1845 at the New York Marriott East Side for six nights. Welcome dinner. Day 2 Grand Central Station followed by orientation coach tour including Broadway,Times Square, Greenwich Village, Financial District, Ground Zero and Central Park. Afternoon visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Evening performance at the Metropolitan Opera featuring Sir Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone), Anja Kampe (soprano) and Franz-Josef Selig (bass) with Valery Gergiev (conductor):Wagner Der fliegende Holländer. Day 3 Morning lecture followed by visit to the Frick Collection. Free afternoon. Evening performance at the Metropolitan Opera featuring Joyce DiDonato (mezzo-soprano), Kate Lindsey (mezzo-soprano), Brenda Rae (soprano), Iestyn Davies (countertenor) and Matthew Rose (bass) with Harry Bicket (conductor): Handel Agrippina. Day 4 Morning lecture followed by visits to Empire State Building and the Lincoln Center. Afternoon: backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera (subject to confirmation). Evening performance at Carnegie Hall featuring Emanuel Ax (piano), Leonidas Kavakos (violin) and Yo-Yo Ma (cello): Beethoven Cello Sonata No 4 in C major, Op 201,Violin Sonata No 10 in G major, Op 96, and Piano Trio in C minor, Op 1. Day 5 Morning: tour of New York Harbour (including views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island). Free afternoon and independent dinner. Evening performance at the Metropolitan Opera House featuring Lisette Oropesa (soprano),Vittorio Grigolo (tenor) and Luca Salsi (baritone) with Bertrand de Billy (conductor):Verdi La traviata. Day 6 Morning lecture followed by visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Free afternoon. Evening performance at Carnegie Hall featuring Emanuel Ax (piano), Leonidas Kavakos (violin) and Yo-Yo Ma (cello): Beethoven Cello Sonata No 2 in G minor, Op 5, Violin Sonata No 6 in A major, Op 30, Piano Trio in E flat major, Op 70. Day 7 Morning visit to the Guggenheim Museum. Tour disperses after farewell lunch. Cost of £3595 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, one lunch, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities for group services. Not included: return travel (this can be arranged by the ACE office at a supplementary cost, subject to availability), ESTA, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £615. TOUR CODE: MUNY20

01223 841055

MUSIC

•• Take in a gala premiere performance of Der Fliegende Holländer in the company of John Deathridge, one of the world’s foremost experts on Wagner •• Enjoy two superb concerts by Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos and Yo-Yo Ma at the city’s iconic Carnegie Hall •• Appreciate New York’s architectural and artistic highlights

USA

Jazz: From New Orleans to Memphis April 6 - 17, 2020 | from £4765 per person | with Sandy Burnett

MUSIC

•• Delve into the rich sounds, sites and flavours of the ‘cradle of jazz’ – New Orleans •• Trace the threads of US history and the evolution of musical genres as we progress along the Mississippi to Memphis •• Enjoy live music, complemented by relaxing daytime excursions in the cities and surrounding countryside It was in spring 1718 that the French Mississippi Company founded a colony on the twin banks of the Mississippi River and called it La Nouvelle-Orléans. Over its subsequent three hundred years, New Orleans’ diverse communities gave rise to deeply distinctive musical and culinary traditions, and from its unique cultural blend emerged one of the world’s most recognisable, multifaceted and popular musical genres: jazz. Evolving towards the end of the 19th century from a mix of African, European, and wider musical influences (including marching brass bands), jazz is inextricably connected with the social, economic and political heritage of the Deep South. It provides our tour with a dynamic focal point for a voyage along the Mississippi that will chart not only transitions within music but also within American society and culture. Led by one of ACE’s most experienced music specialists, we will explore the 22

origins of jazz in its many forms, following in the footsteps of the enterprising musicians who got their early breaks in the city. While Louis Armstrong is the most widely known today, cornetist Buddy Bolden is credited with helping to advance New Orleans’ distinctive ragtime sound, King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band created some of the very first great jazz recordings, and the arrangements of Jelly Roll Morton retain a near-unrivalled place in jazz history. From the leafy courtyards of the French Quarter, heavily influenced by Louisiana’s Spanish colonial past, to Jackson Square, site of the southern state’s purchase by the United States in 1803, we will seek to understand how and why jazz developed here, and what it meant for the growing popular musical traditions of the USA. Our stay in ‘The Big Easy’ will encompass several musical events: we will dine at the Palm Court Jazz Café, home to live Dixieland jazz, and take in the music of Snug Harbor alongside our hotel’s very own Jazz Playhouse. We also hope to offer visits to late night venues, including Preservation Hall, a cornerstone of live jazz in New Orleans since its inception in the 1960s; while Tour Director Sandy Burnett will explore the distinctive features of jazz and blues music in a series of lectures, supplemented by a private performance with a jazz band based in the city. An excursion to the

nearby Oak Alley Plantation will help to inform our understanding of the distinctive social and economic history of the region, complemented by a visit to the Museum of Rural Life in Louisiana’s capital, Baton Rouge; while the swampy landscape of the Bayou will welcome us for a relaxing riverboat trip. Later we will follow the path of the Mississippi northwards, tracing musical developments within the US at the towns of Leland and Clarksdale (site of the ‘Devil’s Crossroads’), and enrich our knowledge of the Deep South’s history at the civil war site at Vicksburg and Dockery Farms, a major site for the development of Delta blues. Reaching Memphis, our tour turns to the emergence of mid20th century musical genres with visits to Elvis Presley’s home at Graceland, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the legendary Beale Street – all against the backdrop of profound social change, illuminated by a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum. Late evenings are balanced by several leisurely mornings and free time to explore our surroundings independently, providing ample opportunities to sample the region’s world famous Creole and Cajun cuisine. In New Orleans we will stay in the four-star Royal Sonesta Hotel, a acecultur altour s.co.uk

USA French Quarter, New Orleans

“I am delighted once again to be leading this ACE Cultural Tours trip to the city where jazz began. Always a tricky term to define, jazz reflects a synthesis of various musical influences, and I’m looking forward to exploring both the heritage of this wonderful art form and hearing how it has evolved into the living, breathing form of entertainment that it is today. Jazz isn’t just historical – its style has always had something of the contemporary about it; and the same applies to Memphis, one of the first areas of the United States where black and white musicians could perform and record freely. Radio was king in 1950s Memphis, and it was the experience of growing up listening to bluegrass, country and western, rhythm and blues and gospel that shaped Elvis Presley into the legend he later became.”

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1540 on British Airways, arriving New Orleans 1935. Transfer to the Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans, for six nights.

timelessly elegant establishment based in a historical courtyard building in the city’s French Quarter. Our base in Memphis will be the legendary Peabody Hotel, a grand four-star institution famous for its resident mallard ducks, who have undertaken a daily march since they were first placed in the hotel’s fountain over eighty years ago. Intermediate stops will be at comfortable hotels in Natchez and Clarksdale.

Day 2 Introductory lecture: Jazz: Its Origins and Beginnings followed by morning orientation walk of New Orleans including Jackson Square, St Louis Cathedral (founded in the 18th century) and Louis Armstrong Park. Free afternoon. Dinner at the Palm Court Jazz Café (live jazz in historical French Quarter surroundings).

Please note that the music featured on this tour may be adjusted once the full schedules for each venue are released. To enhance the tour experience, some itinerary details may be subject to change nearer the time.

Day 4 Free morning followed by afternoon excursion to Oak Alley Plantation (National Historic Landmark, named for its avenue of southern live oak trees) for guided tour. Evening: live music at the Jazz Playhouse, Royal Sonesta Hotel.

This tour will be led by Sandy Burnett, MA, a musician and broadcaster. Sandy spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3, hosting dozens of live broadcasts from the BBC Proms and interviewing many of the world’s finest musicians. As a double bass player, Sandy has performed, toured and recorded with many of the finest musicians, artists and ensembles from Britain and beyond. In 2016 his playing was featured in the National Theatre’s acclaimed revival of August Wilson’s play based around black American music-making in the 1920s, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

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Day 3 Morning lecture: Jazz Pioneers: A Look at Some of the Early Greats followed by walking tour in the French Quarter (architecture reflecting Spanish colonial influences). Afternoon visit to Hermann Grimma House. Evening: late-night live music at Preservation Hall.

Day 5 Morning lecture: The Great Migration, Chicago, the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age followed by Bayou riverboat excursion. Evening: dinner and live music at Snug Harbor (popular venue located behind a renovated 1800s storefront). Day 6 Morning: private jazz performance with the Shotgun Jazz Band, featuring the Tour Director and local musicians. Afternoon: New Orleans Museum of Art and sculpture garden. Day 7 Transfer to Natchez via Baton Rouge for Museum of Rural Life (artefacts and dwellings from 18th-19th century Louisiana) and St Francisville. Overnight at the Natchez Grand Hotel, Natchez.

Day 8 Transfer to Clarksdale via Vicksburg Civil War site (short guided tour), Leland (Highway 61 Blues Museum) and Dockery Farms (cotton plantation, believed to be a major centre for the development of Delta blues). Continue to the Hampton Inn, Clarksdale (site of the legendary ‘Devil’s Crossroads’), for overnight. Evening: optional live music at Ground Zero Blues Club. Day 9 Transfer to Memphis for visit to Graceland (mansion owned by Elvis Presley) before continuing to Memphis for two nights at the Peabody Hotel. Free evening. Day 10 Morning lecture: Welcome to Soulsville: Sun, Stax and Civil Rights followed by visits to National Civil Rights Museum and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Farewell dinner and live music on Beale Street (Itta Bena and BB King’s). Day 11 Transfer to Memphis Airport for 1615 departure via Dallas Fort Worth. Day 12 Arrive Heathrow 1300. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Although this tour is not physically demanding, a good level of stamina is required to enjoy the evening entertainment, which takes the form of afterdinner performances on a number of occasions. As expected with the jazz genre, the music can be loud at times. Please note this tour also includes four hotel changes as we journey from New Orleans to our final stop in Memphis. Cost of £4765 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, seven dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities for group services.Not included: ESTA, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £780. TOUR CODE: NOME20

MUSIC

– ACE Tour Director Sandy Burnett

THE NETHERLANDS

Mahler Festival in Amsterdam May 8 - 13, 2020 | with John Br yden May 13 -18, 2020 | with Richard Wigmore from £3295 per person

Concertgebouw

MUSIC

•• Internationally-acclaimed orchestras assemble to bring us a complete series of Mahler symphonies across two tours •• Musical delights are supplemented with a range of cultural visits in Amsterdam and The Hague, including the world-famous Rijksmuseum •• Delve behind the scenes at the festival’s venue, Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw In 2020 the world-famous Mahler Festival will take place in Amsterdam, the great Austro-German composer’s “second musical homeland”. Marking 100 years since the first Mahler Festival was held here, this spectacular cultural event will focus on the central theme of ‘Mahler’s Universe’; and ACE is delighted to be returning for two consecutive tours covering the festival’s fortnight. At the heart of a remarkable series of concerts will be a selection of eminent orchestras, ranging from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic to the Berliner Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. These are presided over by a range of superb conductors, from the prolific Jaap van Zweden – Musical Director of both the New York and Hong Kong Philharmonics – to the award-winning Iván Fischer and Daniel Barenboim. Players and conductors will be joined by prestigious soloists to bring us not only the composer’s recognised symphonies, but also additional works showcasing his tremendous emotional 24

and musical range. On our second tour, these will include Das Lied von der Erde, written towards the end of Mahler’s life and described by Bernstein as the composer’s “greatest symphony”. Indeed, by experiencing the composer’s works in chronological order, we will come away with a powerful impression of his development as a composer intertwined with his journey through life. Our musical programme will be supplemented with introductory lectures given by our Tour Directors, John Bryden and Richard Wigmore, as well as cultural daytime visits taking in the best of Amsterdam’s heritage. These will include a historical walking tour, visits to the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, and a guided tour of the Concertgebouw. On our first tour we hope to include two organ recitals given by our Tour Director, while our second tour will feature a guided visit to the Muziek Instituut in The Hague (subject to confirmation). We will stay throughout at the fourstar Park Hotel, located in Amsterdam’s city centre. All performances will take place in the Main Hall of the majestic neoclassical Royal Concertgebouw, a short walk from our hotel. Our first tour will be led by John Bryden, MA,ARCM,ARCO, a member of the Dartington Piano Duo who has played across Britain and Europe as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. He has given concerts in venues ranging from California to Kathmandu via Wigmore Hall.

Our second tour will be led by Richard Wigmore, MA, AGSM, a writer, broadcaster, lecturer and former professional singer. He contributes to Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine, and frequently appears on Radio 3’s Record Review. Cost of £3295 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing an executive twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, superior single supplement £515. TOUR CODES: MAH120 / MAH220 FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:These tours are not anticipated to be strenuous, but some visits will be made on foot and our second tour will include a boat trip on Amsterdam’s canals. All concert tickets are in category one.

For those who wish to hear the complete set of Mahler’s symphonies, it is possible to take par t in both tours back-to-back. In addition to enjoying the exper tise of both Tour Directors, there are some var ying daytime visits. For detailed itineraries, please see our Mahler Festival in Amsterdam website page. Please be aware that these tours are now fully booked, however we do have a waiting list system in the event of cancellations. acecultur altour s.co.uk

FRANCE Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1305 on British Airways, arriving Marseille 1600. Transfer to the Grand Hôtel Roi René, Aix-en-Provence, for six nights. Welcome and introduction.

April 8 - 14, 2020 from £2695 per person | with Emilie Capulet

Jeu de paume © Agnes Mellon

•• Anne-Sophie Mutter, Renaud Capuçon, Martha Argerich and the London Philharmonic Orchestra gather for this magnificent international festival •• The Mariinsky Orchestra plays Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 4 •• Les Musiciens du Louvre perform the St John Passion on Good Friday In 2013, a creative collaboration between violinist Renaud Capuçon and Dominique Bluzet, Director of the Grand Théâtre de Provence, led to the foundation of a magnificent Easter festival in the picturesque and sunlit town of Aix-en-Provence. The 2020 festival will present a particularly impressive programme, and we are particularly pleased to be taking in some of the festival’s major highlights over the Easter weekend. We begin in style with a performance from the Mariinsky Orchestra under Valery Gergiev. Period instrument ensemble Les Musiciens du Louvre will draw us into a Good Friday performance of Bach’s St John Passion, joined by their founder Marc Minkowski; the Grenoble based group was recently described by The Guardian as one of the best orchestras in the world. In contrast with the larger ensembles, Renaud Capuçon and Martha Argerich, on violin and piano respectively, are at the heart of our concert on Easter Sunday; while multi-award winning German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will take to the stage the following night with 01223 841055

a group of fellow string players. Our grand orchestral opening is mirrored by our tour’s closing performance, a rendition of Mahler’s ninth symphony by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Vladimir Jurowski. Concerts will take place in the stunning surroundings of the Grand Théâtre de Provence, and these official performances will be complemented by a private recital given by our Tour Director, an award-winning pianist. Cultural visits will extend to the artistic heritage of Provence, including Aix’s Caumont Centre d’Art and a scenic drive along the ‘Route Cézanne’ with a visit to his former studio. We will stay throughout at the four-star Grand Hôtel Roi René in Aix-en-Provence. Please note that full details of the festival performances will be released early in 2020, and some elements may be subject to change nearer the time. This tour will be led by Emilie Capulet, RSA, MMus, PhD, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Head of Classical Performance at the London College of Music. Emilie studied piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and she regularly performs in international concert halls and at music festivals. Emilie has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, CBC’s Radio Canada, France Bleu Provence and Nicaraguan television and radio.

Day 3 Good Friday Morning: private piano recital with Emilie Capulet (details subject to confirmation). Afternoon: scenic drive along the ‘Route Cézanne’ to locations where Cézanne painted the Sainte Victoire Mountain and visit to Atelier Cézanne. Evening performance at Grand Théâtre de Provence featuring Les Musiciens du Louvre (orchestra and choir) with Marc Minkowski (conductor): J S Bach St John Passion. Day 4 Morning lecture followed by visits to the Musée Estienne de Saint Jean and Musée des Tapisseries. Free afternoon. Evening performance at Grand Théâtre de Provence featuring Renaud Capuçon (violin) and Martha Argerich (piano): Schumann Sonata No 2 in D minor, Op 121; Beethoven Sonata No 9, Op 47; and Franck Sonata in A major, FWV 8. Day 5 Easter Sunday Free morning with option to attend Easter Sunday service at Saint-Sauveur Cathedral. Afternoon lecture followed by visit to Musée Granet. Evening performance at Grand Théâtre de Provence featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) and friends: Beethoven String Trio in C minor, Op 9, No 3, String Quartet No 10 in E flat major, Op 74 ‘Harp Quartet’; Widmann String Quartet No 6, ‘Study on Beethoven’. Day 6 Morning visit to Chateau la Coste (guided tour and wine tasting). Afternoon: some free time followed by lecture. Evening performance at Grand Théâtre de Provence featuring London Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Jurowski (conductor): Mahler Symphony No 9. Day 7 Transfer to Marseille for 1055 departure, arriving Heathrow 1200. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:This tour is not particularly strenuous however please note that many of our visits in Aix will be made on foot. Participants should be comfortable spending between one and two hours on their feet, sometimes over uneven terrain. A significant amount of walking is also involved during our visits along the Route Cézanne and to Chateau la Coste. Cost of £2695 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, two lunches, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £410. TOUR CODE: FPAQ20

MUSIC

Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence

Day 2 Morning lecture followed by orientation walking tour of Aix. Afternoon visit to the Caumont Centre d’Art followed by some free time and independent dinner. Evening performance at Grand Théâtre de Provence featuring Orchestre du Mariinsky with Valery Gergiev (conductor) and Denis Matsuev (piano): Debussy Prélude à l’aprèsmidi d’un faune; Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 4 in G minor, Op 40; Richard Strauss Ein Heldenleben, Op 40.

GERMANY

Festtage: Mozart & Beethoven in Berlin April 9 - 14, 2020 | from £2745 per person | with Paul Jackson

MUSIC •• Experience four of Beethoven’s symphonies in his 250th birth year, performed by one of the world’s oldest orchestras under Daniel Barenboim •• Attend two of Mozart’s most beloved operas – Così fan tutte and The Magic Flute – at Berlin’s iconic state opera house •• Explore the cultural sites of Berlin, from its enthralling Alte Nationalgalerie to Grunewald Hunting Lodge

Ponte’s witty text inspired Mozart to write music that matched his humour with profound reflection. With direction by Vincent Huguet, Elsa Dreisig and Gyula Orendt take the roles of the paired lovers Fiordiligi and Guglielmo, whilst Marianne Crebassa and Paolo Fanale are Dorabella and Ferrando.

Our tour to Berlin’s 2020 Festtage provides the opportunity to experience world-class symphonic music and opera in one of Europe’s most important musical and cultural capitals. The tour takes in two operas, Mozart’s Così fan tutte and The Magic Flute, presented in Berlin’s premier opera house, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden.

The Magic Flute, Mozart’s last opera, is also his most enigmatic. Written in the form of a Singspiel, featuring both song and spoken dialogue, it includes elements of high drama, philosophical idealism and comedy. Mauro Peter and Serena Sáenz play the lovers, Tamino and Pamina, whilst Jan Martiník takes the role of the high priest Sarastro. In a multi-national production conducted by Oksana Lyniv and directed by August Everding, the German coloratura soprano Gloria Rehm is the glorious and terrifying Queen of the Night.

Two couples in different constellations, driven by a bet on alleged and real infidelity, are at the centre of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. Librettist Lorenzo Da

Part of Berlin’s famous Kulturforum, the city’s striking Philharmonie arrests the attention with its brilliantly innovative, almost tent-like appearance;

its architecture has inspired concert hall design all over the world. Here we will enjoy performances of four of Beethoven’s symphonies given by one of the world’s oldest orchestras, the Staatskapelle Berlin, under the baton of Daniel Barenboim, one of the most eminent conductors and pianists of the age. Our tour will take in Beethoven’s famous ‘Pastoral’ (No 6), and ‘Choral’ (No 9), as well as Symphonies No 2 and 7. These are completed by an evening of piano music by Mozart and Beethoven, including the latter’s late sonatas in A major and C minor, performed by Sir András Schiff. The operas and concerts will be illuminated by a series of lectures given by our Tour Director, and we will also enjoy cultural excursions around Berlin, taking in the Reichstag, Museum Island, the Old National Gallery and Grunewald Hunting Lodge. We will stay throughout at the threestar Hotel Albrechtshof, within walking distance of the State Opera House and Museum Island. Please note that all acecultur altour s.co.uk

GERMANY Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1000 on British Airways, arriving Berlin 1255. Continue to Hotel Albrechtshof, Berlin, for five nights. Evening concert at the Philharmonie featuring the Staatskapelle Berlin: Beethoven Symphony No 6 in F major ‘Pastoral’, Symphony No 7 in A major. Day 2 Good Friday Morning lecture followed by coach orientation and guided architectural tour (exteriors): Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, Friedrichstrasse, Nikolaiviertel, Unter den Linden, the Reichstag, New Parliament buildings and Brandenburg Gate. Free afternoon. Evening performance at the Philharmonie featuring Sir András Schiff (piano): works by Mozart and Beethoven, including Beethoven Piano Sonata in A major, Op 101, and Piano Sonata in C minor, Op 111. Day 3 Morning lecture followed by guided visit to the Alte Nationalgalerie and free time to explore further museums on Museum Island. Afternoon boat trip past Museum Island. Evening performance at Berlin State Opera: Mozart Così fan tutte.

Day 6 Free morning followed by transfer to Berlin Airport for 1625 flight, arriving Heathrow 1725. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note that while this tour will not be particularly strenuous, participants should have a good level of general fitness and be comfortable exploring Berlin on foot. Some visits will involve traversing uneven ground. Cost of £2745 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, two lunches, three dinners with water & coffee, opera plates & drink at two performances, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £255. TOUR CODE: MZBB20

MUSIC

Day 4 Easter Sunday Late morning concert at the Philharmonie featuring the Staatskapelle Berlin: Beethoven Symphony No 2 in D major, Symphony No 9 in D minor ‘Choral’. Afternoon: backstage tour of the State Opera House (subject to confirmation).

Day 5 Morning lecture followed by excursion to Grunewald Hunting Lodge for guided tour. Some free time. Evening performance at Berlin State Opera: Mozart The Magic Flute.

Philharmonie, Berlin

performances are currently subject to confirmation and some itinerary details may be adjusted nearer the time. Our 2020 Festtage tour will be led by Paul Jackson, BA, MA, a conductor, pianist and musicologist and former Director of Music at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Paul has enjoyed an extensive career as a conductor of opera and as a chamber musician, performing widely in the UK, Europe and America.

“Had a great time! Faultless!” - ACE customer on a previous Festtage tour

Staatsoper statue

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NORWAY

Bergen International Festival May 19 - 26, 2020 | from £3165 per person | with Nicholas Wearne

MUSIC

•• Edward Gardner conducts the festival’s opening performance of Salome •• Enjoy intimate concerts at Grieg’s House, Troldhaugen, and on the beautiful island of Lysøen •• Explore the wider cultural history of Bergen including its major museums and galleries, home to important collections of Edvard Munch Surrounded by majestic mountains and fjords, home to colourful wooden houses and once a trading centre for the Hanseatic League, the UNESCO-listed Norwegian city of Bergen is also notable for hosting a spectacular annual music and cultural festival since the 1950s. In the words of the festival’s Artistic Director Anders Beyer, “for almost seven decades, the Bergen International Festival has set human minds in motion with art’s wild and sprawling dreamscapes… through music, theatre and dance, the festival has celebrated and rattled the city, and sought new answers to old questions”. ACE is delighted to be running a brand new tour to the Bergen International Festival in 2020, offering participants the 28

opportunity to experience this renowned celebration of music and the arts.

in our tour by a concert of works by Jörg Widmann, Brahms and Grieg.

The famously imaginative festival features prominent international artists as well as renowned Norwegian musicians. Performers during our tour include French early music ensemble Les Arts Florissants, who enjoyed enormous success last time they visited the festival in 2015, award-winning Norwegian violinist Miriam Helms Ălien, and Icelandic pianist Vikingur Ólafsson, acclaimed internationally for his passionate and intelligent interpretations.

Bergen is, of course, notable within musical history as the birthplace of the leading Romantic composer and pianist Edvard Grieg. The house in Troldhaugen where he lived and composed many of his best-known works is now a museum.

English conductor Edward Gardner makes two appearances: on our second evening, he will conduct what is sure to be a spectacular concert performance of Richard Strauss’s Salome with Bergen’s Philharmonic Orchestra and National Opera, followed up later

We will stay throughout at the four-star Hotel Norge by Scandic, a stylish and centrally located establishment within close walking distance of many of our visits.

In addition to exploring Bergen’s artistic heritage and remarkable seafaring and commercial past, our tour will also explore the stunning landscape of this part of Norway.

“Nicholas Wearne has exceptional ability both in people management and in ability to share his musical knowledge with non-specialists” - ACE customer on a previous tour with Nicholas Wearne acecultur altour s.co.uk

NORWAY Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 1050, on Norwegian Air, arriving Bergen1345. Transfer to Hotel Norge, Bergen for seven nights. Welcome and introduction. Day 2 Morning lecture followed by guided tour of Bergen, including fish market, Bryggen (colourful and historical wharf area) and fortress. Afternoon visit to Bryggens Museum (local archaeological finds) and some free time. Evening festival performance at Grieghallen featuring the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Bergen National Opera under Edward Gardner (conductor): Richard Strauss Salome (in concert). Day 3 Morning: Bergen Maritime Museum (founded in 1914, providing a fascinating glimpse into Bergen’s seafaring past). Some free time followed by evening performance at Håkonshallen featuring Les Arts Florissants under William Christie (conductor) – programme to be confirmed. Day 4 Morning lecture followed by guided visit to KODE 3 (one of Norway’s most important collections on Edvard Munch). Afternoon: guided tour of the University Museum of History (impressive collection of cultural and natural history). Independent dinner, followed by evening festival performance at Håkonshallen featuring Vikingur Ólafsson (piano) – programme to be confirmed.

Day 5 Morning lecture followed by guided visit to KODE 4 (large permanent collection of European modernist works). Free time followed by late afternoon visit to Troldhaugen (Grieg’s House) and evening festival performance featuring Miriam Helms Ălien (violin) and members of the Kronberg Academy – programme to be confirmed. Day 6 Morning: via coach and shuttle boat to Lysøen for late morning festival performance featuring Tanja Zapolski (piano) & Amalie Stalheim (cello) – programme to be confirmed. Afternoon: guided tour of Ole Bull’s Villa. Evening festival performance at Grieghallen featuring Vilde Frang (violin), Nicolas Alstaedt (cello) and Vikingur Ólafsson (piano) with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra under Edward Gardner (conductor): works by Jörg Widmann, Brahms and Grieg. Day 7 Whole day spent exploring the stunning natural landscape around Bergen (details will be confirmed in early 2020). Day 8 Depart Bergen 0915, arriving Gatwick 1015 FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is not anticipated to be especially strenuous, however please note that some visits will involve walking around Bergen’s city centre as well as standing in galleries. The visit to Lysøen will involve a journey by shuttle boat, and our exploration of the natural landscape on day 7 is likely to involve a boat trip and periods of waking over uneven ground.

MUSIC

Bergen

Please note that the below itinerary is a guide to what we hope to offer and some details, including the performances, may be subject to change. Our tour will be led by ACE Tour Director Nicholas Wearne, BA, MPhil, a tutor and Junior Fellow at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His career as a solo organist has taken him all over the world, and he was winner of the Poul Ruders Prize at the 2011 Odense International Organ Competition. Nick travelled to the 2019 Bergen International Music Festival in preparation for the 2020 tour, and he looks forward to introducing an ACE group to this wonderful festival. Cost of £3165 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, two lunches, six dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £425. TOUR CODE: BERG20

Edvard Greig statue

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AUSTRIA Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1135 on British Airways, arriving Vienna 1455. Transfer to Melk for five nights at Hotel-Restaurant zur Post. Welcome and introduction.

Melk Baroque Music Festival May 28 - June 2, 2020 from £2295 per person | with Ashley Solomon

Day 2 Morning lecture followed by whole day excursion to Altenburg Abbey. Evening festival performance at the Stiftskirche, Melk Abbey. Day 3 Morning lecture followed by free time. Afternoon festival performance at the Schloss Pielach, followed by evening performance at the Garden Pavilion, Melk Abbey. Day 4 Optional High Mass at the Stiftskirche, Melk Abbey followed by late morning festival performance at Melk Abbey. Afternoon guided tour of Melk Abbey. Evening festival performance at Melk Abbey. Day 5 Morning lecture followed by late morning festival performance at Melk Abbey. Afternoon boat trip on the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein through the Wachau Valley. Evening festival performance at Melk Abbey. Day 6 Transfer to Vienna for visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Depart Vienna 1545, arriving Heathrow 1710. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, including uphill and over uneven ground and cobbles, to access sites including the Abbey where performances take place. Participants must be prepared for navigating steps including at the hotel. Please note we also plan to include a boat trip on the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein.

MUSIC

Main Church Stif, Melk

•• Take in a selection of concerts in the striking surroundings of Melk Abbey •• Gain insights into the musical programme through a series of lectures given by our Tour Director •• Savour a range of cultural visits, from Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum to Dürnstein Abbey

2020. Our musical programme will be supplemented by cultural experiences, including a visit to Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, a whole day excursion to a second spectacular abbey of the region (Altenburg) and a cruise along the Danube to the historical town of Dürnstein.

There could be no more appropriate setting for a festival dedicated to Baroque music than beautiful Melk Abbey, standing high above the Danube, where the river enters the idyllic wine-producing region of Wachau.

We will stay throughout in Melk at the four-star Hotel-Restaurant zur Post.

The 18th century abbey is one of the most spectacular of all Austrian monastic houses, and it is here that Melk Baroque Music Festival – known for its imaginative, varied and entertaining programming – makes its home. The main abbey church, the Stiftskirche, is decorated with gloriously ornate gold leaf and stucco. In recent years the international festival line-up has included La Capella Ducale, the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra and soprano Anna Lucia Richter, and we expect an equally impressive range of performers in 30

Further information, including the musical programme, will be released in spring 2020, once the festival programme details are available. Please note that the below itinerary is an example of what we hope to deliver; while we will endeavour to offer this in full, some elements may be subject to change and the final version is dependent on the festival programme, to be released at the end of 2019.

This tour will be led by Ashley Solomon, FRCM, FRAM, HonRCM, ARAM,Chair and Head of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music and Director of the Baroque ensemble Florilegium. Ashley has been involved with Bolivian Baroque since 2002, and he has directed numerous concerts in Bolivia and Europe. Cost of £2295 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, one lunch, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £165. TOUR CODE: MELK20

“A most enjoyable and varied week” – ACE customer on a previous Melk Baroque Music Festival tour

acecultur altour s.co.uk

GERMANY Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1050 on British Airways, arriving Berlin 1340.Transfer to Seaside Park Hotel, Leipzig for seven nights. Welcome and introduction. Day 2 Morning lecture followed by walking tour of Leipzig. Afternoon visit to the Bach Archiv. Evening festival performance at the Thomaskirche featuring Patrick Grahl (tenor), Peter Harvey (bass), Dorothee Mields (soprano), Benno Schachtner (alto), Krešimir Stražanac (bass) and Gächinger Kantorei under Hans-Christoph Rademann (conductor): J S Bach St Matthew Passion, BWV 244.

Bach Festival in Leipzig

Day 3 Whole day excursion to Arnstadt (Bach Church) and Weimar (walking tour and Liszt Museum).

June 15 - 22, 2020 from £2795 per person with John Br yden

Day 4 Morning lecture followed by guided tour of the Museum of Historical Musical Instruments. Afternoon: guided tour of the Mendelssohn House Museum. Evening festival performance at the Nikolaikirche featuring Emmanuel Music Boston and soloists under Ryan Turner (conductor): J S Bach choral cantatas – ‘Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern’, BWV 1, ‘Christ lag in Todes Banden’, BWV 4, ‘Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit’, BWV 14, ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’, BWV 140 .

•• Join a unique ‘family reunion’ of specialist J S Bach performers from around the world •• Experience some of Bach’s most beautiful choral cantatas in the neoclassical surroundings of Leipzig’s magnificent Nikolaikirche, where the composer once worked as Director of Music •• Further highlights include Bach’s Mass in B minor, St Matthew and St John Passions, and timeless Goldberg Variations Leipzig lies at the heart of the classical music tradition: Wagner was born here, Mendelssohn died here and Bach spent nearly three decades as Kapellmeister at the Thomaskirche. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Leipzig plays host to a magnificent annual festival centred on Bach and the composers he inspired. The 2020 festival promises to be a great celebration not only of Bach’s music, but also the ‘extended family’ of Bach musicians, choirs and societies that regularly performs his works all over the world. Our tour weaves a carefully selected programme of festival performances around cultural visits in and around Leipzig. We will begin with a performance of the St Matthew Passion from renowned German choir Gächinger Kantorei, later contrasted with a special 01223 841055

‘ballet’ performance of the St John Passion at Leipzig Opera House. Another highlight is sure to be award-winning Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt – one of the most celebrated living performers and interpreters of J S Bach – playing the composer’s sublime Goldberg Variations. We will experience two of the festival’s distinctive ‘choral cantata cycle’ concerts presented by specialist choral societies from the USA and the Netherlands, and will build towards the festival’s magnificent closing concert, Bach’s Mass in B minor, in the stunning surroundings of Leipzig’s Thomaskirche. We stay throughout the tour in the centre of Leipzig at the Seaside Park Hotel, a four-star Art Deco residence situated within easy walking distance of the Thomaskirche. Please note that while we will endeavour to deliver the below itinerary in full, some details may be subject to change. This tour will be led by John Bryden, MA, ARCM, ARCO. A former member of the National Youth Orchestra of Britain, John is also a member of the Dartington Piano Duo and has played across Britain and Europe as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician.

Day 6 Morning lecture followed by visit to Monument of Nations. Afternoon festival performance at Haus Leipzig featuring Angela Hewitt (piano): J S Bach Goldberg Variations. Evening festival performance at the Nikolaikirche featuring Isabel Schicketanz (soprano), Franz Vitzthum (alto),Thomas Hobbs (tenor), Felix Schwandtke (bass) and the Netherlands Bach Society with Shunske Sato (concert master): J S Bach choral cantatas – ‘Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott’, BWV 80, ‘In allen meinen Taten’, BWV 97, ‘Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut’, BWV 117, ‘Nun danket alle Gott’, BWV 192 . Day 7 Optional morning service in the Thomaskirche followed by afternoon visit to Leipzig Fine Arts Museum. Evening festival closing performance at the Thomaskirche featuring Christina Landshamer (soprano), Anke Vondung (mezzosoprano), Sebastian Kohlhepp (tenor) and Krešimir Stražanac (bass) with  MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra under Andris Nelsons (conductor): J S Bach Mass in B minor, BWV 232. Day 8 Morning: Köthen Castle. Continue to Berlin for 1645 departure, arriving Heathrow 1745. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour involves several excursions to museums, as well as walking tours, and therefore participants should feel comfortable staying on their feet for extended periods of time. A good general level of fitness is required for this tour. Cost of £2795 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, three lunches, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £235. TOUR CODE: BACH20

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Bach statue

Day 5 Whole day excursion to Dresden including visits to the New and Historical Green Vaults. Evening festival performance at Leipzig Opera House featuring Leipzig Ballet, Leipzig Opera Chorus, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and soloists under Christoph Gedschold (conductor): J S Bach St John Passion, BWV 245 (ballet) .

LATVIA

Rīga Opera Festival June 8 - 13, 2020 from £1895 per person | with Nicholas Wearne

MUSIC

•• Enjoy two dazzling operatic favourites, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, at Riga’s beautiful National Opera House •• Delve into Latvia’s mythological and literary heritage with Imants Kalninš’s I Played, I Danced •• Daytime visits include the Baroque palace of Rundale, built for the Dukes of Courland in the 18th century, and the beautiful Art Nouveau buildings of Alberta Street Riga boasts an exceptionally strong musical background: Wagner lived and worked here during the late 1830s, and the magnificent National Opera House was built in the 1860s to the design of St Petersburg architect Ludwig Bohnstedt. More recently, the Latvian National Opera has mounted an annual opera festival; founded in 1998, it has since become one of the most celebrated fixtures on the European circuit, showcasing some of the brightest stars of the Latvian and international stage. The excellence of Riga’s programming is reflected in the diversity of its audiences, with opera lovers flocking to its stage from both Latvia and all over the world. 32

Our 2020 tour will offer an opportunity to experience three of the festival’s headline operas, blending celebrated favourites with a more modern and unusual work founded in Latvian mythology and literature. Composer Imants Kalniņš drew on the 1916 play of the same name for his opera I Played, I Danced; written in 1977, the piece intertwines Latvian folklore and tradition, both musically and narratively, with reflections on Latvian society. Presented by one of Latvia’s most prominent young directors, Laura GrozaĶibere, this beguiling work provides a special opportunity to discover Latvia’s musical, cultural and political heritage. We move on to a production of Mozart’s eternally resonant tale of passion, seduction and terrible consequences, Don Giovanni. With its spellbinding blend of comedy and tragedy, the

work is swept along by a famously spectacular score, sure to engross and move us in equal measure. Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades will provide a fitting climax to our tour. Based on a short story by Pushkin, the opera remains one of its composer’s most beloved works, its music ranging from powerful choruses to intimate duets and arias, which together shed light on the tensions between love, obsession and the thrill of the game. Aside from taking in these musical treats, we will also delve into the cultural and artistic heritage of Latvia. Built on the banks of the Daugava River, Riga was an important medieval seaport, and its historical prosperity is reflected in its beautiful town centre, which houses a succession of Gothic and Baroque churches in its

“An excellent tour, which I much enjoyed” - ACE customer on a previous Riga Opera Festival tour with Nicholas Wearne acecultur altour s.co.uk

LATVIA Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 0925 on Air Baltic, arriving Riga 1405. Transfer to Hotel Metropole, Riga, for five nights. Welcome and introduction. Day 2 Whole day excursion to Bauska Castle (dating from the 15th century with Teutonic Knights links) and Rundāle Palace (magnificent Baroque architecture and formal gardens). Day 3 Morning lecture followed by guided walk around Riga’s old town: churches of St Peter and St John, Town Hall Square, cathedral, Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Evening festival performance: Imants Kalniņš I Played, I Danced. Day 4 Morning canal trip and some free time. Afternoon Latvian National Museum of Art (the largest and most diverse collection of national art in Latvia). Evening festival performance: Mozart Don Giovanni. Day 5 Morning lecture followed by guided walk to Alberta Street (beautiful Art Nouveau buildings) and Art Nouveau Museum. Afternoon: Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum. Evening festival performance: Tchaikovsky The Queen of Spades. Day 6 Free morning. Depart Riga 1550, arriving Gatwick 1640. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: While this tour is not especially strenuous, participants should be prepared for walking across uneven terrain. They should also be comfortable undertaking walking tours of up to two hours and standing in galleries and museums. Some visits may include climbing steps.

MUSIC

Riga Opera House

narrow streets. The city also possesses perhaps the finest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, which, along with its medieval centre and nineteenth century wooden architecture, has led to Riga being accorded UNESCO World Heritage status. We will stay throughout at the fourstar Hotel Metropole, a beautiful and elegant establishment set inside a historical building a five minute walk from the Opera House. Tour Director Nicholas Wearne, BA, MPhil, is a former ACE Bursary student, and a tutor and Junior Fellow at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He has held a number of prestigious positions as organist; most recently at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. Cost of £1895 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, two lunches, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £195. TOUR CODE: RIGA20 Riga Blackheads

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HUNGARY The Great Synagogue, Budapest

Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Budapest June 16 - 22, 2020 | from £2595 per person with Sandy Burnett

•• Enjoy the near-unrivalled acoustics of Müpa’s Béla Bartók Concert Hall •• Appreciate world class performances from this semi-staged production, which has garnered widespread critical acclaim for several years •• Explore the cultural highlights of Hungary’s capital MUSIC

In 2020 ACE will take its first ever tour to experience Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen in the beautiful surroundings of the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, Budapest. Comprising four dramatic and immersive operas, The Ring tells of a struggle between gods, heroes and mythological beings over the eponymous, all-powerful magic ring. Wagner envisaged these operas to be performed across consecutive evenings. While this was not something he experienced in his lifetime, opera houses around the world have gradually stepped up to the challenge of mounting this 15-hour epic over four nights; and for several years one such production – Hartmut Schörghofer’s Budapest-based Ring Cycle – has been delighting critics with its high calibre performances and uncomplicated direction. Indeed, the recently concluded 2019 cycle was lauded by The Telegraph as “a revelation”. Our performances will take place inside the “tremendous” acoustic environment of the Béla Bartók Concert Hall, part of Budapest’s award-winning centre for arts and culture, Müpa. Under the experienced baton of conductor and Artistic Director Ádám Fischer, the mastery of Wagner’s four compositions will shine through, supported by subtle performance directions and 34

minimal sets. Indeed, these semi-staged performances have been praised for their superb casts and orchestral players, whose brilliance is complemented rather than overwhelmed by the staging. There are few more culturally stimulating environments than Budapest. Much of the city’s special charm derives from the mighty river that divides the medieval and Baroque Buda, perched on its craggy citadel, from the urbane Pest, reminiscent of Haussmann’s Paris with its broad avenues lined with neo-Renaissance palazzi, grand hotels and Belle Epoque cafes. Daytime highlights of our tour will include a tour of the city’s Parliament building (subject to confirmation), often said to be inspired by London’s neo-Gothic masterpiece but in fact much more grandiose, as well as a walking tour of the Castle District, dominated by the spectacular Royal Palace. Inside lies the vast assemblage of the Hungarian National Gallery, which traces Hungarian art from the 11th century through to the present. We stay throughout at the four-star K&K Opera Hotel, a stylish and sophisticated establishment opposite the city’s beautiful opera house. This tour will be led by Sandy Burnett, MA, a musician and broadcaster who spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3. He is the author of The Idler Guide to Classical Music and has recently been appointed as the Hogwood Fellow of the Academy of Ancient Music.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1225 on British Airways, arriving Budapest 1600. Transfer to the K&K Opera Hotel for six nights. Welcome and introductory lecture. Day 2 Morning: guided walking tour of Buda, including Matthias Church (interior) and Royal Palace (exterior) and free time to explore the Castle District. Afternoon: guided tour of Parliament House (subject to confirmation). Day 3 Morning lecture: Das Rheingold. Guided walking tour of the city centre, including St Stephen’s Basilica (exterior) and the Great Synagogue (interior). Free afternoon, followed by evening performance at Müpa Hall: Das Rheingold. Day 4 Morning lecture: Die Walküre. Free time followed by afternoon performance at Müpa Hall: Die Walküre. Day 5 Morning lecture: Siegfried. Visit to the Great Market Hall (the largest indoor market in the city). Some free time followed by afternoon performance at Müpa Hall: Siegfried. Day 6 Morning lecture: Götterdämmerung. Some free time followed by farewell lunch. Afternoon performance at Müpa Hall: Götterdämmerung. Day 7 Depart Budapest 1315, arriving Heathrow 1500. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:To balance out the lengthy evening performances, our daytime visits will not be strenuous, and plenty of free time is given for independent exploration. Participants should, however, be comfortable undertaking walking tours of up to two hours, sometimes over uneven surfaces. The performances will begin at 1600 (1800 for Das Rheingold). Cost of £2595 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, two lunches, three opera plates, three dinners (one light) with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £585. TOUR CODE: WRBU20

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ITALY

Verona Opera Festival July 2 - 7, 2020 | from £2945 per person with Sandy Burnett

•• Enjoy three magnificent productions staged at Verona’s famous Arena, including Verdi’s Aida and Nabucco •• Attend a brand new production of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci – a famously inseparable duo •• Explore the ‘fair Verona’ of Romeo and Juliet, and journey by boat across Lake Garda Established for over one hundred years, Verona’s internationally renowned opera festival ranks as one of the most spectacular in the world. Staged in the awe-inspiring ancient Roman amphitheatre known as the Arena di Verona, the festival has hosted many of the world’s greatest opera singers and some of the most magnificent sets in the classical world. Our tour to the 2020 festival begins with a double-bill performance of Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana (‘Rustic Chivalry’) and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (‘Clowns’) – known worldwide as ‘Cav and Pag’. Not seen at the festival since 2006, the 2020 production will involve a brand new stage design, sure to draw us into these emotionally charged tales of Italian peasantry. Next we will experience two of Verdi’s operatic masterworks. With a personal story of political intrigue and romantic love set against the sweeping biblical history of the Babylonian exile, Nabucco is often said to have launched Verdi’s operatic career. This is followed, on our final evening, by one of the defining operas of the festival: Verdi’s Aida. With its dramatic public scenes and moments of private intimacy, this beloved work comes to life 01223 841055

amongst the stunning sets and costumes of Franco Zeffirelli and Anna Anni.

Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 1315 on Easyjet, arriving Verona 1620. Transfer to Hotel San Luca, Verona for five nights. Evening introductory talk.

In ‘fair Verona’, the city of Romeo and Juliet, we will explore evocative Roman ruins and splendid medieval churches. An excursion will take us to the shores of Lake Garda, which has enchanted writers and travellers from Catullus to Tennyson. In Vicenza we will admire the architectural genius of Palladio, whose articulated classicism graces both private and public buildings in the city, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Day 2 Morning walking tour of Verona: Arena, Castelvecchio, Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore and cloister. Free afternoon followed by early evening lecture. Evening performance at the Arena: Mascagni Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo Pagliacci.

We will stay throughout at the comfortable and elegant Hotel San Luca, located a five-minute stroll away from Verona’s Arena. Please note while we will endeavour to deliver the below itinerary in full, some elements may be adjusted nearer the time, particularly owing to local weather conditions, and cast and performance details may be subject to change by the festival office. This tour will be led by Sandy Burnett, MA, a musician and broadcaster who was one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3 for a decade, where he hosted countless live broadcasts and interviewed many of the world’s finest musicians. His conducting credits include a complete cycle of Bach cantatas as well as work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre and in London’s West End.

Day 3 Further visits in Verona: Duomo, Ponte Pietra, Church of Sant’ Anastasia (exterior), Casa di Giulietta and Roman Theatre. Free afternoon followed by early evening lecture. Evening performance at the Arena: Verdi Nabucco. Day 4 Excursion by coach to Vicenza for Teatro Olimpico, followed by Vigardolo for Villa Valmarana. Free afternoon followed by early evening lecture. Evening performance at the Arena: Verdi Aida. Day 5 Excursion by coach to Lake Garda and its lakeside towns including Riva and Garda (weather permitting). By private boat to Limone on the north-western side of the lake, before crossing to Malcesine for farewell dinner at local restaurant. Day 6 Free morning. Depart Verona 1650, arriving Gatwick 1800. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:This tour involves a significant amount of walking over cobbles, up and down steps (sometimes without handrails), and potentially in hot sunshine or over wet pavements. A good level of fitness is required to complete the itinerary, although allowances can be made for those with less stamina. The walk from the hotel to the arena is on flat ground and takes around five minutes. Please note all performances are scheduled to begin at 2100. Cost of £2945 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £445. Single rooms available on request. TOUR CODE: VROP20

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Aida © Christian Abend

UNITED KINGDOM

Worcester Three Choirs Festival July 25 - 29, 2020 | with Russell Keable | from £1295 per person July 29 - August 2, 2020 | with John Br yden | from £1325 per person

MUSIC •• Enjoy a selection of highlight concerts at the 2020 festival, centred upon the theme of ‘journeys’ •• Absorb the area’s musical history and links with Elgar •• Soak up the evocative atmosphere of Worcester Cathedral, famous for its fine central tower For over 300 years the cathedral cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester have taken turns to host a renowned annual music celebration. In 2020 the Three Choirs Festival will take place in Worcester, in the captivating surroundings of the city’s cathedral. Built between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries, the cathedral’s structure exemplifies many architectural styles, from Norman to Perpendicular Gothic. The 2020 Three Choirs Festival takes as its central theme the notion of ‘journeys’, marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage from England to the USA. Our first tour, led by Russell Keable, will feature 36

a performance of works by American composers Nico Muhly, Stephen Paulus and Aaron Copland, whilst our second tour, led by John Bryden, will feature Vaughan Williams’s Songs of Travel as part of the festival’s finale. Further highlights will include opportunities to hear works by Beethoven in the 250th anniversary year of his birth – we look forward to the composer’s stirring Symphony No 7 on our first tour, and his Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, a setting of two poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, on our second. Elgar also features strongly, with performances of The Music Makers, the Enigma Variations and his Symphony No 3. We will hear from the award winning Gabrieli Consort, whose masterly interpretation of Baroque music is a perfect match for Purcell’s King Arthur on our first tour; while our second tour will also feature a very special performance of Tallis’s Spem in Alium, performed by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

Making the most of our time in Worcester, we will explore the area’s connections with Edward Elgar. The picturesque Malvern Hills were a source of inspiration to the composer, and our first tour will include a visit to Great Malvern’s atmospheric Priory, after stopping at St Wulstan’s Church, to pay our respects at Elgar’s grave. Our second tour will feature a visit to The Firs, Elgar’s birthplace and museum. We will stay at the four-star Worcester Whitehouse Hotel, ideally located in the heart of the historical city. Please note that the below itineraries represent guides to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to adjustment once the full festival programme is announced in spring 2020. Our first tour will be led by Russell Keable, who trained at the universities of Nottingham and London and studied conducting with George Hurst and Norman Del Mar at London’s Royal College of Music. He currently teaches at acecultur altour s.co.uk

UNITED KINGDOM Tour 1

Tour 2

Day 1 Tour assembles 1400 at Worcester Whitehouse Hotel for four nights. Welcome and introduction followed by short orientation walking tour. Evening festival performance at Worcester Cathedral featuring Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano) and Samuel Hudson (conductor): Copland Fanfare for the Common Man; Nico Muhly Senex puerum portabat; Stephen Paulus Sea Portraits; Elgar The Music Makers.

Day 1 Tour assembles 1400 at Worcester Whitehouse Hotel for four nights. Welcome and introduction followed by short orientation walking tour. Evening festival performance featuring Ruby Hughes (soprano), Njabulo Madlala (baritone) and Adrian Partington (conductor): Mendelssohn The Hebrides (overture); Copland Appalachian Spring; Gibbs Odysseus.

Day 3 Morning lecture followed by free time in Worcester. Afternoon festival performance featuring Robert Plane and the Elias Quartet: Howells Rhapsodic Quintet; Beethoven String Quartet No 11 ‘Serioso’; Bliss Clarinet Quintet. Evening festival performance at Worcester Cathedral featuring the Gabrieli Consort and Players with Paul McCreesh (conductor): Purcell King Arthur.

War Requiem © Derek Foxton

the University of Surrey and is active as a composer, arranger, lecturer, broadcaster and performer. Our second tour will be led by John Bryden, MA, ARCM, ARCO, a member of the Dartington Piano Duo who has played across Britain and Europe as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. For many years he coached at the Dartington International Summer School.

Day 4 Morning lecture followed by free time in Worcester. Afternoon festival performance featuring David Owen Norris (pianist), Zeb Soanes and the Jupiter Ensemble: ‘Beethoven, Wordsworth and the French Revolution’ (musical works to be confirmed). Evening festival performance featuring the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir, Worcester and Gloucester Girl Choristers, Joshua Ellicott (tenor) and Geraint Bowen (conductor): Dobrinka Tabakova Centuries of Meditations; John Rutter Visions; Britten Saint Nicolas. Day 5 Late morning festival performance featuring the English Symphony Orchestra: Philip Sawyers Mayflower on the Seas of Time; Beethoven Symphony No 7; James Frances Brown Symphony (premiere), followed by tour dispersal.

Day 2 Morning lecture followed by late morning festival concert featuring Linarol Consort of Viols and James Gilchrist (tenor): music from the court of Maximilian in ‘Will niemand singen?’ Afternoon festival performance featuring the Marian Consort: works by Scarlatti, Dani Howard and Gabriel Jackson. Evening festival performance at Worcester Cathedral featuring Guy Johnston (cello) and Anna-Maria Helsing (conductor): Beethoven Egmont (overture); Howells Cello Concerto; Elgar Symphony No 3. Day 3 Morning excursion to Nicholson & Co Pipe Organ Builders. Afternoon: visit to The Firs (Elgar’s birthplace and museum) followed by lecture. Evening festival performance at Worcester Cathedral featuring Nick Pritchard (tenor) and David Hill (conductor): John Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine; Ēriks Ešenvalds The Pleiades; Gabriel Jackson Festival Commission (premiere). Day 4 Morning lecture followed by late morning festival concert featuring National Youth Choir of Great Britain: Tallis Spem in Alium; works by Mathias, Roxanna Panufnik, Kerry Andrew, James Macmillan, Ēriks Ešenvalds and John Casken. Free afternoon. Evening festival performance at Worcester Cathedral featuring Bozidar Smiljanic (baritone) and Samuel Hudson (conductor): Beethoven Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage; Vaughan Williams Songs of Travel; Walton Belshazzar’s Feast. Day 5 Tour disperses after breakfast. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:These tours involve a moderate amount of walking, and participants must be prepared for traversing potentially uneven ground, cobbles, steps and dimly lit interiors.

Worcester Cathedral © Ash Mills

First Tour: Cost of £1295 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £120. Second Tour: Cost of £1325 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, one lunch, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £120. TOUR CODES: WTH120 / WTH220

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MUSIC

Day 2 Morning lecture followed by optional Festival Eucharist at Worcester Cathedral. Afternoon excursion to Little Malvern for St Wulstan’s Church (Elgar family graves) and Great Malvern Priory. Evening festival performance at Worcester Cathedral featuring Anita Watson (soprano), Catherine Carby (mezzo-soprano), Ed Lyon (tenor), David Stout (baritone) and Geraint Bowen (conductor): Elgar Enigma Variations; Parker Hora Novissima.

UNITED KINGDOM

Buxton Opera Festival July 7 - 11, 2020 | from £1395 per person with John Br yden

MUSIC

•• Romantic liaisons abound in our four main festival performances, including Rossini’s The Lady of the Lake, Reynaldo Hahn’s Ciboulette and Sondheim’s A Little Night Music •• Experience Early Opera’s celebrated rendition of Handel’s Acis & Galatea, recipient of BBC Music Magazine’s 2019 Opera category award •• Visit the house and grounds of Lyme Park with its unique collections, including the famous Lyme Missal, the focus of a brand new exhibition Every summer the Derbyshire spatown of Buxton, surrounded by the glorious hills of the Peak District, presents a feast of opera, literature and music. Literary talks, concerts and guest performances fill the mornings and surround a core of operas by major composers staged in the afternoons and evenings. The combination of established and promising up-andcoming performers makes for one of the UK’s most stimulating arts festivals, and over the years it has become both nationally and internationally acclaimed. Taking in the best of the festival’s performances, our 2020 tour offers four productions, including Stephen Sondheim’s musical A Little Night Music, sure to enchant us with its deft interplay of witty observation and poignancy – including the classic song ‘Send in the Clowns’. 38

We begin with Handel’s contrasting yet equally beloved Acis & Galatea, a co-production between Buxton and the Early Opera Company, whose recording of the work won the Opera category of the BBC Music Magazine Awards 2019. Rossini’s La donna del lago – The Lady of the Lake – presents something very different again. King James V falls in love with Elena, the beautiful daughter of his enemy, in a narrative based on a poem by Sir Walter Scott. Rossini’s expansive score reflects the opera’s Scottish Highlands setting in this rarely performed work. Another unusual delight awaits us with Reynaldo Hahn’s Ciboulette; widely considered a masterpiece of French operetta, the charmingly absurd narrative sees the controller of Paris’s Les Halles play matchmaker between farmgirl Ciboulette and spoiled aristocrat Antonin. Gentle nods to Offenbach and Puccini combine to form an irresistible confection, by turns comical and touching. Our itinerary will take in some festival fringe events, likely to be a combination of literary talks and musical concerts. We will also make an excursion to the magnificent Lyme Park. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and a deer park, this former hunting lodge now houses wonderful collections including a brand new exhibition dedicated to

the famous Lyme Missal, the only existing, largely-intact copy of William Caxton’s original 1487 Paris printing and one of the most important books in the National Trust’s collection. We stay throughout at the Best Western Plus Lee Wood Hotel, a Georgian hotel set in its own mature gardens only a few moments’ walk from the Opera House. Details of the festival’s literary and other musical events will be published on the ACE website once they are released in early 2020. Please note there may be some further itinerary adjustments at this time. This tour will be led by John Bryden, MA, ARCM, ARCO, an international concert pianist and organist who has given concerts in venues ranging from Cornwall to Kathmandu via Wigmore Hall. Cost of £1395 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, twin/ double room for single use supplement £170. TOUR CODE: BUXF20

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UNITED KINGDOM Day 1 Tour assembles 1400 at Best Western Plus Lee Wood Hotel, Buxton, for four nights. Welcome and introduction. Evening festival concert: Handel Acis & Galatea. Day 2 Morning lecture followed by festival literary talk/performance (details to be confirmed). Evening festival opera: Rossini La donna del lago. Day 3 Morning lecture followed by excursion to Lyme Park (magnificent estate with 18th century modifications, surrounded by gardens, moorland and a deer park). Evening festival opera: Hahn Ciboulette. Day 4 Morning lecture followed by festival literary talk/performance (details to be confirmed). Matinee festival opera: Sondheim A Little Night Music. Day 5 Tour disperses after breakfast. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note that this tour involves a moderate amount of walking every day between the hotel, opera house and other festival venues. The walk between the hotel and the centre of Buxton is hilly.

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Buxton Opera House

01223 841055

FRANCE Beaune

Beaune Baroque Music Festival July 23 - 27, 2020 | from £2345 per person with Ashley Solomon

MUSIC

•• Take in a selection of operas at Burgundy’s enchanting annual Baroque festival •• Soak up the history and gastronomy of the region on a series of cultural visits •• Gain insights into the music of the period during lectures given by Tour Director Ashley Solomon, Baroque flautist and Director of early music ensemble Florilegium

originally housed in the chapel, is now kept in the on-site museum.

The tour will travel by Eurostar and will begin and end at London St Pancras.

Our tour will take in a selection of performances, interspersed with opportunities to learn about the wider history and culture of the region.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is not expected to be especially strenuous, however participants should be prepared to traverse uneven pavements and cobbles, as well as walk for between one and two hours on the walking tours. The performances all begin at 2100 and will be balanced by later, leisurely mornings.

Each July, as the warm sunlit hours linger well into evening, the green and gold region of Burgundy celebrates summer with a month dedicated to Baroque opera. Over its many years the festival, hosted by the historical town of Beaune, has become well known for staging lively operatic revivals, many performed on original instruments.

The town of Autun – whose history stretches back into antiquity – is home to the charming historical and artistic collections of the Musée Rolin, and its cathedral offers a magnificent array of Romanesque architectural features. The region is of course renowned for its wine, and we plan to include a visit to the Clos du Vougeot, a beautiful wall-enclosed vineyard originally created by monks from the nearby Abbaye de Cîteaux.

Past festivals have featured outstanding performances from notable musicians. For example, ACE’s 2019 tour to Beaune included Jean-Philippe Rameau’s opera ballet Les Indes Galantes, performed by the choir and period-instrument orchestra of La Chapelle Harmonique in the glorious surroundings of the town’s 13th century basilica, as well as the festival’s closing performance – Mozart’s Don Giovanni, presented by the Vienna Philharmonia Chorus and the Baroque Orchestra of Freiburg. The festival’s principal venue is the 15th century Hospices de Beaune, founded as a hospital for the poor during a period when Beaune’s population faced high levels of destitution. Its fairy-tale roofs shimmer with colourful glazed tiles above ornate half-timber galleries and dormer windows. Rogier van der Weyden’s Last Judgement, 40

Later evenings will be balanced by leisurely mornings and relaxed daytime visits in the surrounding area.

We will stay at the four-star Hotel de la Poste in Beaune, an elegant establishment five minutes’ walk away from our performance venues. Please note the full itinerary will be released once the festival programme has been announced in early 2020. Full details of our musical performances will also be confirmed at this stage.

This tour will be led by Ashley Solomon, FRCM, FRAM, HonRCM, ARAM, Chair and Head of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music and Director of the Baroque ensemble Florilegium. Ashley has been involved with Bolivian Baroque since 2002; in 2005 he formed Arakaendar Bolivia Choir and has since directed numerous concerts in Bolivia and Europe. Cost of £2345 includes: return travel, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, three performances (subject to final programme details), breakfast, one lunch, three dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £200. TOUR CODE: BBMF20

“Very interesting and informative, especially Ashley’s talks” “The concerts were fascinating and Ashley’s lectures and discussion added an extra dimension” – ACE customers on 2019 Beaune Baroque Music Festival tour with Ashley Solomon acecultur altour s.co.uk

SWITZERLAND

Schubert in Schwarzenberg August 22 - 29, 2020 from £2945 per person with Nicholas Wearne

There are few more idyllic settings to appreciate some of the world’s best song, chamber and piano concerts than the Vorarlberg region in Austria, where the charming Austrian village of Schwarzenberg commands panoramic views across lush meadows to the soaring Alps. Each summer, amidst the tranquil mountain scenery of the Bregenz Forest, specially selected musicians – from well-known performers to up-andcoming artists – gather to present a dynamic selection of Schubert’s music alongside works by other composers. Our venue is the Angelika Kauffmann Hall, named after the 18th century Swiss-born painter and founding member of the Royal Academy in London. Our tour to the 2020 festival will take in a mixture of afternoon and evening concerts ranging from intimate piano works to dramatic song recitals and lively string quartets. Our opening concert with Canadian baritone Gerald Finley alongside English pianist Julius Drake will bring us Schubert’s final song collection, Schwanengesang (‘Swansong’), based around the beautiful poetry of Ludwig Rellstab and Heinrich Heine. 01223 841055

Day 2 Morning lecture followed by chamber concert at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Pavel Haas Quartet with Daniel Müller-Schott (viola): Janáček String Quartet No 2 ‘Intimate Letters’; Schubert String Quintet in C, D 956. Afternoon song recital at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano) and Kristian Bezuidenhout (piano): works by Schubert, Schumann and Adolf Fredrik Lindblad.

This year’s tour will also include works by C P E Bach, Liszt, Beethoven, Dvořák and Janáček. The latter’s String Quartet No 2 will offer a particularly intimate glimpse into the composer’s romantic connection with his muse Kamila Stösslová through a series of love letters, performed by the Pavel Haas Quartet. Recitals with two pianists – Marc-André Hamelin, praised widely by audiences and critics worldwide, and the award-winning Paul Lewis CBE (who completed a full ‘cycle’ of Beethoven’s concertos for the BBC Proms in 2010) – will round off our stimulating musical programme. Daytime visits will include a guided tour of Schwarzenberg alongside excursions to the splendid Rieger Orgelbau workshop, Hohenems and the charming town of Lindau in the Lake Constance area. We will stay at the four-star Hotel Kreuz in Mellau, in the heart of the Bregenz Forest. Please note that while we will endeavour to deliver the below itinerary in full, some details (including the musical programme) may be subject to change nearer the time. Tour Director Nicholas Wearne, BA, MPhil, is a former ACE Bursary student, and holds a Junior Fellowship at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Day 4 Morning lecture followed by guided tour of Schwarzenberg: Heimathaus Museum, church (containing work by Angelika Kauffmann). Afternoon song recital at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Sophie Rennert (mezzo-soprano) and Graham Johnson (piano): works by Schubert and Schumann. Evening chamber concert at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Hagen Quartet: works by Schubert and Dvořák. Day 5 Excursion by coach to the Lake Constance area, including a visit to the picturesque town of Lindau. Some free time in Mellau. Day 6 Morning: depart by coach for Hohenems for guided tour of the Jewish Museum. Afternoon piano recital at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Paul Lewis (piano): works by Beethoven and Schubert. Day 7 Morning: optional gentle Alpine walk with local guide. Afternoon chamber concert at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Quatuor Ébène: works by Beethoven. Evening song recital at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Christoph Prégardien (tenor) and Michael Gees (piano): Schubert Lieder based on poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Johann Mayrhofer. Day 8 Visit to Sammlung Oscar Reinhart. Depart Zurich 1605, arriving Heathrow 1655. Cost of £2945 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a double bedded room with a balcony, performances as described, breakfast, four lunches, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, single room with balcony supplement £45, double room (no balcony) for single use supplement £165. TOUR CODE: SCSC20

MUSIC

Day 3 Morning: visit to Rieger Orgelbau workshop and to Egg (spectacular views across the Vorarlberg mountains). Afternoon song recital at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Christiane Karg (soprano) and Gerold Huber (piano): works by Schubert. Evening piano recital at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Marc-André Hamelin (piano): works by C P E Bach, Schubert, Liszt and Beethoven.

Schwarzenberg

•• Canadian baritone Gerald Finley joins English pianist Julius Drake for Schubert’s Schwanengesang •• Award-winning pianist Paul Lewis brings us sonatas by Beethoven •• Enjoy a medley of daytime visits including excursions to Lake Constance and the wonderful Rieger Orgelbau workshop

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 0925 on British Airways, arriving Zurich 1220. Transfer to Mellau for seven nights at Hotel Kreuz. Evening song recital at the Kauffmann Hall featuring Gerald Finley (baritone) and Julius Drake (piano): Schubert Schwanengesang (Lieder based on poems by Ludwig Rellstab) D 957/1-7; Brahms Vier ernste Gesänge (‘Four Serious Songs’), Op 121; Schubert Schwanengesang (Lieder based on poems by Heinrich Heine), D 957/8-13.

UNITED KINGDOM

International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival August 13 - 17, 2020 | from £1295 per person with Donald Maxwell

MUSIC

•• In the words of Tour Director Donald Maxwell, experience the “essential guide to all things Gilbert & Sullivan” •• Take in a total of five professional productions, including the rarelyperformed The Emerald Isle •• Enjoy a variety of talks and lectures, all set in the picturesque spa town of Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan represent quintessential Victorian England. The brilliant, witty lyrics of W S Gilbert dazzle alongside the attractive melodies of Arthur Sullivan. In 2020, the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival will present another exciting and memorable programme of operas. We look forward to no less than five productions performed by the professional National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. Our tour begins with an exciting opportunity to see The Emerald Isle, rarely performed in modern times. This two-act comic opera, featuring a libretto by Basil Hood, premiered at the Savoy Theatre in 1901 and nods to the musical comedy genre of the late 1890s London stage. Perennial favourites The Pirates 42

of Penzance and HMS Pinafore will also be staged, alongside Patience, a satire on the Aesthetic Movement of the 1870s and 1880s, and The Sorcerer, Gilbert and Sullivan’s third operatic collaboration. These performances will take place in the Grade-II listed surroundings of the Edwardian Royal Hall in Harrogate. The musical programme will be complemented by lectures given by our Tour Director, and we also look forward to an opportunity to meet one of the festival’s trustees. We will stay throughout at the White Hart Hotel, centrally located in Harrogate, a short walk from the Royal Hall.

Tour Director Donald Maxwell is an operatic baritone, director and lecturer. Donald has been involved with the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival for many years, and also performs with opera companies worldwide. He returned in 2018 to the Metropolitan Opera in New York for performances in La Bohème. Cost of £1295 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, five professional performances, breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £210. TOUR CODE: IGSH20

“Donald Maxwell is an exceptional leader. We enjoyed his entertaining lectures, his knowledge and musical anecdotes” “I must admit now that I am unable to think of an imperfection let alone a fault with the whole experience” - ACE customers on 2019 International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival tour

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UNITED KINGDOM Day 1 Tour assembles at the White Hart Hotel, Harrogate, for four nights. 1430 orientation walking tour of Harrogate followed by welcome and introduction to the tour. Evening lecture: Gilbert & Sullivan. Day 2 Morning lecture: Introduction to The Emerald Isle. Afternoon: guest talk with Bernard Lockett, trustee of the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. Evening festival performance featuring the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company: The Emerald Isle. Day 3 Morning lecture: Introduction to The Pirates of Penzance and Patience. Afternoon matinee festival performance featuring the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company: The Pirates of Penzance. Evening festival performance featuring the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company: Patience. Day 4 Morning lecture: Introduction to HMS Pinafore and The Sorcerer. Afternoon matinee festival performance featuring the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company: HMS Pinafore. Evening festival performance featuring the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company: The Sorcerer. Day 5 Tour disperses after breakfast. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES:This is not a strenuous tour and does not involve significant amounts of walking. Please note that participants will be required to navigate the stairs at the Royal Hall.

MUSIC

Royal Hall, Harrogate

“This festival is your essential guide to all things connected to Gilbert & Sullivan. For 27 years this uniquely British celebration has produced a variety of programmes, which appeal to both the enthusiast and the novice. The Emerald Isle is rarely done, so will be an interesting curiosity.” – ACE Tour Director Donald Maxwell

The Pirates of Penzance

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UNITED KINGDOM

Mendelssohn in Scotland September 8 - 14, 2020 | from £1745 per person with Alberto Massimo

MUSIC

•• Learn about the life and work of Felix Mendelssohn, who made an unforgettable visit to Scotland in the summer of 1829 •• Join the annual celebration of the composer’s work on the Isle of Mull •• Become immersed in the breathtaking landscapes that inspired the composer There can be few more stunning sights than the glassy surface of Loch Lomond glistening against its Highland backdrop; and there can be fewer better introductions to the Scotland experienced by Felix Mendelssohn, who found inspiration here for some of his best loved music. In the summer of 1829, aged twenty, the composer made a lengthy exploration of Scotland, stretching from its capital Edinburgh all the way to the Isle of Staffa, a haven for wildlife and home to fascinating rock formations. The same landscape will greet us as we make our journey from Glasgow to the Hebridean island of Mull. We will stay at the colourful fishing port of Tobermoray, where Mendelssohn also stayed during his voyage. Amidst the town’s beautiful wooded landscape and brightly painted buildings, we will 44

experience the delightful ‘Mendelssohn on Mull’ Festival, attending a variety of concerts presented by highly acclaimed artists, young professionals and promising newcomers. We will combine our excursion to the festival concerts with opportunities to experience the natural landscape that inspired Mendelssohn. Weather permitting, we look forward to a boat trip to Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, where Mendelssohn was inspired to write the Hebrides Overture. The cave’s natural architectural fusion of basalt stone creates a cathedral-like space that reverberates with the swells and booms of the sea, a sound that Mendelssohn echoed with the ebb and flow in his piece. Duart Castle, the ancient home of Clan Maclean, is situated in a prominent position on a peninsula in the Sound of Mull. Previously a ruin, the castle was refurbished in the early 20th century.

We will return via Oban, to take in the town’s well-loved distillery. Winding our way back to Glasgow, we will stop at the Duke of Argyll’s Inveraray Castle, positioned amidst tranquil gardens on the shores of Loch Fyne. The present structure, featuring Baroque, Palladian and Gothic elements, was built in the 18th century to designs by architects Roger Morris and William Adam inspired by John Vanbrugh. In Glasgow, we will stay at the fourstar modern boutique hotel, Dakota, situated in the heart of the city. On Mull we will stay at the Western Isles Hotel in Tobermoray, overlooking the harbour, and in Oban at the four star Perle Hotel, a luxurious establishment with stunning sea views. Further information, including the musical programme, will be released in the early summer of 2020, once the festival programme details are

“A great trip… wonderful music, good food, and visits to castles” - ACE customer on 2019 Mendelssohn in Scotland tour

acecultur altour s.co.uk

UNITED KINGDOM Day 1 Tour assembles 1600 at Dakota, Glasgow, for overnight stay. Welcome and introduction to the tour, including private recital (subject to confirmation). Day 2 Depart Glasgow through stunning Highland scenery and past Loch Lomond for the Isle of Mull, via ferry from Oban. Transfer to Western Isles Hotel, Tobermory, for three nights. Evening festival concert. Day 3 Whole day excursion to Iona for visit to the abbey founded by St Columba (including festival concert) and boat trip to Fingal’s Cave (weather permitting) on the uninhabited island of Staffa (the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture). Day 4 Excursion to Duart Castle (overlooking the Sound of Mull). Evening festival concert. Day 5 Depart Tobermory via ferry to Oban. Afternoon distillery visit and optional walk up to McCaig’s Tower, followed by festival concert at Oban Cathedral. Overnight at the Perle Hotel, Oban. Day 6 Depart Oban for Glasgow via Inveraray Castle. Overnight at Dakota, Glasgow.

Oban from McCaig’s Tower

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, including over uneven, steep and potentially slippery surfaces, and up and down steps. Participants should be prepared for journeys by boat and ferry (weather permitting) that can be choppy. This tour also involves a significant amount of travel by coach.

available. Please note that while we will endeavour to deliver the below itinerary in full, some elements may be subject to change once we have received the festival programme, and also depending on local weather conditions. This tour will be led by Alberto Massimo, BMus, PhD. Alberto studied organ, trumpet, double bass and composition, and has a doctorate and diploma in conducting. He received appointments in Rome as ‘maestro di cappella’ and occasionally played for Papal Mass at the Vatican. Alberto was nominated ‘Professional Musician of the Year in Music 1991’, and has been appointed Musical Director of the Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra. Cost of £1745 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, (double bedded rooms only in Glasgow) four performances (subject to final programme details) & donation to the festival, breakfast, two lunches (one packed), dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £390. TOUR CODE: MSCO20 Iona Abbey

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MUSIC

Day 7 Tour disperses after breakfast.

UNITED KINGDOM

Lammermuir Music Festival September 14 - 21, 2020 | from £1995 per person with Alberto Massimo

MUSIC •• Attend a wide variety of festival performances in this historical and atmospheric part of Scotland •• Explore the wonderful architecture and history of the region with visits to Lennoxlove and Gosford House •• Learn about Scotland’s musical and cultural heritage with Tour Director Alberto Massimo, who lives in East Lothian “Beautiful music, beautiful places” this is the bewitching synthesis that the Lammermuir Music Festival, founded in 2010, delivers to delighted festival goers every summer. Indeed, the festival has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the classical music calendar, winning the Royal Philharmonic Society’s ‘Best UK Classical Music Festival’ accolade in 2017 as well as acclaim from The Guardian, BBC Music Magazine and others. Drawing on its relationships with some of Scotland’s leading ensembles – as well as providing a stage to internationally renowned musicians – the festival 46

has earned a reputation for building truly excellent musical programmes in interaction with a range of fascinating and atmospheric historical buildings. It also draws inspiration from its natural setting, particularly the breathtaking Lammermuir Hills, which are steeped in a history of their own. ACE is delighted to be crafting a tour in collaboration with the 2020 festival. While the programme details are awaiting confirmation, we expect to include number of high calibre performances in buildings ranging from atmospheric local churches to grand houses. The 2019 musical programme spanned both time and classical styles, from intimate Schubert song cycles and string quartets to operatic and orchestral works; and we hope to offer an equally wide variety of works on our 2020 tour.

history of Scotland – and the stunning 19th century Gosford House, its walls enclosing a magnificent double staircase. We will stay at the three-star Maitlandfield House Hotel, a charming and historical property within quiet surroundings in Haddington. This beautiful market town is also home to St Mary’s Parish Church, one of the festival’s regular venues, within short walking distance of our hotel. Please note the full itinerary will be released once the festival programme has been announced in early 2020. Full details of the musical performances will also be confirmed at this stage. The tour will begin and end at Edinburgh Waverley Station with transfers to and from the hotel by coach.

Alongside the performances, we will explore the local area with visits to Lennoxlove House – a striking property dating back to the 13th century, its history closely intertwined with the acecultur altour s.co.uk

UNITED KINGDOM

MUSIC

Dunbar ©John Wood

Tour Director Alberto Massimo, BMus, PhD, studied organ, trumpet, double bass and composition, and also has a doctorate and diploma in conducting. In Rome he received appointments as ‘maestro di cappella’ and occasionally played for a Papal Mass at the Vatican. Appointed Musical Director of the Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra, he has a strong personal connection with Lammermuir and was involved in the construction of the organ at St Mary’s Church Haddington (one of the major festival venues). He has been attending festival performances for many years. Cost of £1995 incudes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, nine festival performances (subject to final programme details), breakfast, six dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions (including up to three local visits), gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £210. TOUR CODE: LAMF20

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St Mary’s, Haddington © John Wood

“I am really looking forward to accompanying you to the wonderful Lammermuir Festival, which takes place in some of the most beautiful and historical places in East Lothian, where I live. I have attended the festival since its inception ten years ago, and have seen it grow into an unmissable event in the Scottish musical calendar. The programme is always interesting, performed by excellent and enthusiastic musicians who create a special atmosphere and feeling with the audience. I can’t wait to meet you all and explain the stories and music that we will hear and enjoy together.” – ACE Tour Director Alber to Massimo

ITALY

Verdi Festival in Parma September 30 - October 6, 2020 from £3295 per person | with John Br yden

MUSIC •• Enjoy a rare performance of I Lombardi alla prima crociata alongside celebrated classics Rigoletto and Macbeth •• Visit locations associated with Verdi’s life and work, including his villa in Sant’Agata •• Make an excursion to Cremona, home of the violin, where master violinmaker Antonio Stradivari established his workshop in the early 1700s In 2004, the city of Parma inaugurated an annual festival to honour its most famous local son, Giuseppe Verdi. The festival, which takes place throughout October (the month of Verdi’s birth), features a range of the composer’s operatic works, both well known and less commonly encountered; it has since become one of the most important showcases of the composer’s music in the world. Our 2020 tour incorporates three festival performances, providing an opportunity to experience both the 48

diversity of the composer’s repertoire in the surroundings he knew so well, and his musical development over time.

which differs from the original in several ways and offers yet another intriguing glimpse into his evolution as a composer.

A rarely staged musical treat, I Lombardi alla prima crociata follows in the grand historical footsteps of its predecessor Nabucco; the work enjoyed a similar level of popularity in its day, and continues to offer insights into the composer’s early development as a master of Italian opera.

Both Ernani and I Lombardi will take place in the beautiful Teatro Regio di Parma, designed by Nicola Bettoli and built between 1821 and 1829. Rigoletto will be performed at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Busseto, not far from Verdi’s former villa in Sant’Agata; while Macbeth will draw on the atmospheric surroundings of Parma’s beautiful Chiesa di San Francesco del Prato.

Verdi’s breadth and versatility is further revealed in Rigoletto, based on a work by Victor Hugo, whose dark and heady tale of corrupted power, sacrifice and tragedy has captivated audiences for generations. The climax of our tour, Macbeth, is of course one of Verdi’s best-known works, a masterpiece born of his love for Shakespeare and an intensely dramatic and exciting opera that “bristles with demonic energy” (in the words of London’s Royal Opera House). We will be fortunate enough to experience the special extended French language edition of the opera that Verdi created in 1865,

Our days will be spent exploring the musical and cultural treasures of the region, interspersed with free time to reflect on the operas. At Verdi’s villa in Sant’Agata, the ground floor rooms have been preserved as they were in the composer’s’s time. Parma’s Baptistery, meanwhile, is perhaps the greatest Romanesque building in northern Italy. A day excursion to Cremona will give us the opportunity to discover the town’s famous tradition of violin making, and we will also experience the production acecultur altour s.co.uk

ITALY

Verdi Festival in Parma is one in a series of more gently paced tours, created specially by ACE for those who prefer a more relaxed, less physically demanding itinerar y whilst retaining the same high level of academic content. Our usual fitness criteria still apply for this tour, however there will be more oppor tunity for downtime or private exploration. Hotels will be situated in central locations to allow for ease of access to major amenities; and group members are encouraged to enjoy each location at their own pace.

Day 2 Morning: guided tour of Parma Baptistery and Cathedral. Optional visit to Toscanini Birthplace. Free afternoon. Day 3 Morning lecture introducing Rigoletto followed by excursion to Busseto for visit to Renata Tebaldi Museum. Afternoon: Villa Verdi in Sant’Agata (house and gardens) and Culatello di Zibello (traditional Culatello ham cellar) for visit and dinner. Evening performance at Teatro Giuseppe Verdi, Busseto: Rigoletto. Day 4 Morning lecture introducing I Lombari alla Prima Crociata, followed by guided tour of ancient organs in Church of Santa Cristina, Parma Cathedral and Church of San Giovanni, including a tour of library and Benedictine complex (time permitting). Free afternoon. Evening performance at the Teatro Regio di Parma: I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata.

Day 5 Free morning. Afternoon lecture introducing Macbeth, followed by guided visit to the Teatro Farnese. Evening performance at the Chiesa di San Francesco del Prato: Macbeth (French version). Day 6 Whole day excursion to Cremona for visits to Museo del Violino (with instruments by Stradivari, Amati and Guarneri) and violinmaker’s workshop with demonstration. Day 7 Depart Milan Linate 1320, arriving Heathrow 1420.

Giuseppe Verdi statue, Busetto

MUSIC

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1025 on British Airways, arriving Milan Linate 1325. Transfer to Grand Hotel de la Ville, Parma, for six nights.

Teatro Farnese, Parma

of one of Parma’s most famous exports at a traditional Culatello cellar. We will stay throughout at the five-star Grand Hotel de la Ville, conveniently situated within walking distance of Parma’s historical centre. Please note that the itinerary may be subject to change once the full festival programme has been announced.

Cost of £3295 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, breakfast, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £325 TOUR CODE: VERD20

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UNITED KINGDOM Bath Abbey

Bath Mozartfest:

30th Anniversary Tour November 18 - 22, 2020 from £1295 per person with Sandy Burnett

MUSIC

•• Attend a selection of performances from eminent musicians for the 30th anniversary of Mozartfest •• Visit Bath’s Holburne Museum, to explore its wonderful collection of fine and decorative arts, and enjoy an illustrated lecture on the museum’s fortepiano •• Enjoy a visit to the Roman Baths to learn about the city’s early history Each year music pilgrims flock to the beautiful Georgian city of Bath to enjoy the classical festival that celebrates one of Europe’s favourite musical sons: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The festival – which has garnered critical acclaim for its high calibre performers – celebrates not only the music composed by Mozart but also that of composers for whom he provided inspiration. 2020 will be a particularly special year in which to attend, as the festival will celebrate its 30th birthday and is sure to be a spectacular occasion. Performances take place in the stunning surroundings of Bath’s historical buildings, including the elegant Assembly Rooms and the Guildhall. Previous ACE tours to the festival have featured performances by the Belcea Quartet, one of the world’s leading chamber ensembles, as well as internationally renowned pianist Imogen Cooper, acclaimed cellist Leonard Elschenbroich 50

and award-winning London chamber group, the Nash Ensemble. Alongside the musical treats, our tour will take in further cultural delights on offer in the city of Bath. We hope to include a visit to the Holburne Museum – home to Sir William Holburne’s collection of fine and decorative arts – with an illustrated lecture given by our Tour Director on the Schantz fortepiano. We also look forward to a visit to the city’s iconic Roman Baths. This tour will be based at the fourstar Abbey Hotel, located within Georgian townhouses in the heart of the city and recently renovated. Further information, including the full itinerary and musical programme, will be released in spring 2020, once festival programme details are available.

This tour will be led by Sandy Burnett, MA, a musician and broadcaster who spent over a decade as one of the best-known classical music presenters on BBC Radio 3. He has conducted many orchestras and choirs, and has masterminded a complete cycle of J S Bach’s sacred cantatas. Cost of £1295 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, five performances (subject to final programme details), breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £220. TOUR CODE: BMZF20 FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is not especially strenuous, but participants must be prepared for a moderate amount of walking, including over uneven or uphill sections of pavement.

“To be in such a beautiful city amongst delightful people listening to marvellous music was indeed special” “Sandy Burnett was first class – combining professionalism with friendliness and good humour” – ACE customers on a previous Bath Mozartfest tour with Sandy Burnett

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2020 SCHEDULE

2020 Schedule Overview

Das Rheingold, featured on our Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Leipzig tour

What follows is an overview of all our departures currently on sale for 2020. New tours will also be announced on a regular basis on our website. Please visit www.aceculturaltours.co.uk for more details.

6 - 16

Athens, Delphi & the Peloponnese

10 - 16 Valletta International Baroque Festival

6 - 17

Jazz: From New Orleans to Memphis

19 - 22 Churches of Norfolk: An Appointment with Angels

14 - 20 Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Leipzig

7 - 14

Sardina: Birds, Flowers & Nuraghi

19 - 26 Bergen International Festival

15 - 29 Ethiopia

8 - 14

Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence

20 - 30 Cyclades: Ancient Islands of the Aegean

16 - 23 The Holy Land

9 - 14

Festtage: Mozart & Beethoven in Berlin

22 - 29 Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge

20 - 2/2 Cambodia & Laos

14 - 20 Glasgow: Patrons, Art & Innovation

26 - 29 Wild & Ancient Dartmoor

25 - 31 Mozart Festival in Salzburg

14 - 21 Crete: Birds, Flowers & Minoans

28 - 2/6 Melk Baroque Music Festival

27 - 31 Wildlife of the Suffolk Coast: Minsmere & Orford Ness

15 - 19 Flemish Painting: From van Eyck to Rubens

31 - 14/6 Kazakhstan: From the Silk Road to Sir Norman Foster

31 - 6/2 Pompeii with Herculaneum

17 - 26 Camino de Santiago: Pilgrims, Cathedrals & Castles

5 - 11

Orthodox Christmas in Moscow

April

February 3-7

Art Treasures of Dresden

8 - 13

Elgar, Birmingham & Worcester

12 - 15 Somerset Levels in Winter 20 - 23 Bath Bachfest 21 - 23 Cambridge Churches, College Chapels & Organs 24 - 29 Early Christian & Medieval Rome

March 1 - 7

Music & Opera in New York

2-6

Roman & Byzantine Ravenna

2 - 9

Art on the Côte d’Azur

3-9

Venice: The Triumph of Light & Colour

3 - 10

Vasari: Father of Art History

15 - 22 Beethoven in Bonn: A Cycle of Symphonies 20 - 31 Uzbekistan: Cities of the Silk Road 23 - 26 Art Collections of Liverpool 23 - 28 Aquileia: City of Antiquity 24 - 5/4 Algeria: Rome Meets the Sahara 26 - 30 Eboracum: York & the Roman North 26 - 2/4 Riviera di Levante: From Genoa to Pisa 27 - 3/4 Isle of Man: A Wild & Ancient Heritage 30 - 5/4 Art in Berlin 30 - 6/4 Roussillon

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20 - 27 The Dordogne 22 - 1/5 Albania: From the Illyrians to the Ottomans 23 - 26 Shakespeare at Stratford 25 - 1/5 Bologna, Mantua & Parma 26 - 2/5 Provence River Cruise 27 - 2/5 Cornwall: St Ives & the Newlyn School of Painters

June 1-4

The Pre-Raphaelites in Oxford

1-8

From Madrid to Toledo: Trade, Treasure & the World of Philip II

2-8

Lincolnshire Halls & Houses

7 - 20

Baltic States

8 - 13

Riga Opera Festival

15 - 22 Bach Festival in Leipzig

27 - 11/5 Lycian Cruise

15 - 27 Northern Greece

28 - 5/5 Wild Poland: From Ancient Rivers to Primeval Forest

19 - 26 St Magnus Music Festival

16 - 22 Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Budapest 21 - 27 Provence River Cruise

May

21 - 29 Donegal & Tory Island

6 - 10

Northamptonshire Country Houses

22 - 28 The Ariège

6 - 13

Citadels of Transylvania

22 - 29 The Shetland Islands

8 - 13

Mahler Festival in Amsterdam

23 - 28 Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design

9 - 16

Villas & Gardens of the Italian Lakes

25 - 4/7 Lorraine

11 - 18 Jewels of the Loire: Medieval & Renaissance Chateaux

29 - 2/7 Constable & Gainsborough in Suffolk

Aldeburgh Festival

12 - 16 Great Bardfield & Beyond: Mid-Century Art & Design in East Anglia 12 - 19 Isles of Scilly 13 - 18 Mahler Festival in Amsterdam 13 - 20 Albi & the Languedoc 13 - 20 Gardens of the Republic of Ireland 13 - 22 Ancient Sicily 17 - 2/6 Japan in Springtime: Art, Temples & Gardens

2020 SCHEDULE

January

14 - 21 Lammermuir Music Festival

July 1 - 8

Medieval Burgundy

2 - 6

The Golden Age of Dutch Painting

2-7

Verona Opera Festival

4 - 11

Wild & Ancient Orkney

5 - 12

Iceland: History & Landscape

6-9

Artists of the North

6 - 9

Norfolk in Summer

6 - 13

Wildlife of the Austrian Alps

7 - 11

Buxton International Festival

7 - 19

Teutonic Knights

13 - 17 Prehistoric & Roman Anglesey & Snowdonia 20 - 24 Houses & Gardens of Herefordshire & the Welsh Borders 22 - 28 Farthest Frontier: Roman Scotland & the Antonine Wall 23 - 27 Beaune Baroque Music Festival 25 - 29 Worcester Three Choirs Festival 29 - 2/8 Worcester Three Choirs Festival 29 - 6/8 The Hanseatic League

Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival

2020 SCHEDULE (CONT.)

August 4 - 7

Artists’ Houses in Sussex

4 - 12

Denmark: Ancient & Modern

4 - 15

Russia’s Golden Ring

7 - 15

Arctic Finland & Norway

20 - 3/10 Borneo 21 - 25 Chichester & the South Downs 21 - 25 Country Houses of North Norfolk 21 - 26 Aquileia: City of Antiquity 21 - 26 Yorkshire Country Houses 21 - 28 Art on the Côte d’Azur 21 - 2/10 Serbian Monasteries

AC E C U LT U R A L TO U RS

22 - 25 Churches of Norfolk: An Appointment with Angels 22 - 28 Art & Architecture of Puglia 25 - 2/10 Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge 28 - 3/10 Imperial Rome, Ostia & Tivoli 30 - 6/10 Verdi Festival in Parma

Haydn in Eisenstadt

October 1-8

Syracuse

2-9

Wildlife of Albania

5 - 9

Bruges

5 - 12

Roussillon

6 - 12

Ancient Crete & Santorini

9 - 15

Pompeii with Herculaneum

15 - 24 Palladio & Villas of the Veneto 19 - 29 Jordan 22 - 1/11 Ancient Cyprus 22 - 6/11 Thailand 23 - 10/11 In Search of China’s White Gold

10 - 14 Art Collections & Stately Homes of the West Country

26 - 2/11 Piero della Francesca

Glyndebourne

10 - 14 Roman Kent: Towns, Forts & Frescoes

Wexford Opera Festival

13 - 17 International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

Chopin International Piano Competition

22 - 29 Schubert in Schwarzenberg 25 - 6/9 Pomerania 31 - 7/9 Old Castile: From the Romans to El Cid 31 - 9/9 Danube River Cruise

September 1 - 16

Flowers of the Fairest Cape: From the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean

3 - 8

Art Nouveau in Belgium

3 - 8

Edinburgh: Scottish Houses, Castles & Interiors

7 - 11

Derbyshire Halls & Houses

7 - 11

Northumbria in the First Millennium

7 - 13

Oberammergau Passion Play

8 - 12

Mid-Century Modern in the Heart of England

8 - 14

Mendelssohn in Scotland

8 - 18

Ancient Sicily

11 - 22 Uzbekistan: Cities of the Silk Road 14 - 18 Roman & Byzantine Ravenna 14 - 21 Hill Towns of Umbria

November 1 - 14

West Japan & the Inland Sea: Art & Pilgrimage

8 - 23

Goa: Portuguese Heritage, Landscape & Wildlife

16 - 24 Art & Patronage in Renaissance Florence & Siena 17 - 1/12 South Korea 18 - 22 Bath Mozartfest: 30th Anniversary Tour 21 - 5/12 Odisha

Music & Opera in Vienna

ACE CULTURAL TOURS Stapleford Granary Bury Road Stapleford CAMBRIDGE CB22 5BP

01223 841055 ace@aceculturaltours.co.uk www.aceculturaltours.co.uk