te a g o r r Ha val 2013 Festi A warm welcome to Festival friends and supporters to our 2013 Festival. Last year was a landmark year, celebrating Olympic heroes, a Royal Jubilee, and one of our biggest Festivals yet. This summer we’ll be turning our attention to the great female heroines of our heritage, 100 years of Benjamin Britten, literary greats, a decade of Europe’s largest Crime-Writing Festival and the 48th Harrogate Festival. This brochure offers a look at the highlights of the 2013 programme. Packed with the very best international musicians, ground-breaking performances and the most talented writers at work today, the Harrogate Festival is firmly maintaining its position as the leading arts Festival in the north of England [The Times]. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s concerts and events – Friends of our Festival can take advantage of our Friends’ Priority Booking period which opens on Monday 8th April for our ‘Highlights’ events, with the full programme on sale to all on Monday 22nd April. With so much going on this summer, the Festival stretches from our Spiegeltent in June through to the Festival Finale at the end of July. There’s something for everyone so delve in and find your Festival this year. Sharon Canavar Chief Executive
Thursday 4th July
Royal Hall | 8pm
Friday 5th July
St Wilfrid’s Church | 8pm
Armonico Consort: Concert by Candlelight
Forsaken Women The UK’s most popular soprano opens our 2013 Festival with a Gala Opening to remember. Since first gracing Harrogate’s stage as a Young Musician, Lesley Garrett brings an inspirational programme with her signature style and creativity. This intimate concert explores the rich tapestry of opera’s Forsaken Women, bringing to life the great moments of lost love from Purcell, Beethoven and Verdi to Noel Coward and Benjamin Britten, the first of a number of appearances from Britten throughout the Festival in his centenary year. Garrett takes us on this journey of arias from the baroque period through to the Romantics and the modern day, revealing women of character, sensitivity and depth. Early booking is highly recommended.
Tickets: £38, £35, £30, £25, £18 Boxes: £75, £50
Book Now - Box Office 01423 562303
St George Hotel | 2pm
Michael Palin
Naked Byrd We’re thrilled to welcome the 16 angelic voices of Armonico Consort to perform in the unparalleled atmosphere of the Festivals’ Candle-lit Concert in St Wilfrid’s Church. Naked Byrd embraces the tradition of a cappella choral pieces by composers who, in the words of the Consort’s artistic director Christopher Monks, “wore their hearts on their sleeves”. Alongside the familiar repertoire ranging from Byrd’s Ave Verum to Barber’s Agnus Dei are recent compositions by Tavener and the Consort’s own Jonathan Roberts, both of whom contribute moving pieces based around texts by William Blake.
From the iconic Monty Python years, to the BBC series including the recent Brazil, to two volumes of diaries and travel books, Palin is undoubtedly a national treasure. He has more recently turned his hand to novel-writing and comes to the Harrogate stage to discuss his second and latest novel, The Truth. Following the story of Keith Mabbut who is offered the opportunity to write a biography and ends up travelling to the hotspots of India, a novel that the Guardian terms ‘gripping’ and ‘triumphant’ could only be penned by one with such a world of experience and insight behind him as Palin does. Early booking is recommended.
Sunday 7th July
Wesley Chapel | 7pm
Carducci Quartet Britten and his Influences - War and Humanity Britten – String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 Shostakovich – String Quartet No. 4 in D Major, Op. 83 Beethoven - String Quartet No. 8 in E minor (“Rasumovsky No. 2”), Op. 59/2 Continuing the Festival’s celebrations of Britten’s Centenary, the Carducci Quartet explores Britten and his influences. Such was the impact of Britten’s String Quartet No. 1 (1941), that the composer was awarded a medal for services to chamber music and regarded a ‘conscientious objector’ to the war. Britten and Shostakovich were both exiles within their own countries, and their music is connected by strong anti-war convictions. With Beethoven representing a heavy influence on Britten’s career, this insightful concert is a true celebration of Britten and his musical anthology. Tickets: £18 Unreserved
THE HARROGATE FESTIVAL SPIEGELTENT IS SET TO RETURN TO CRESCENT GARDENS TO ENTHRAL, DELIGHT AND AMUSE...
31ST MAY - 8TH JUNE INCLUDING MUSIC, DANCE AND CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL DON’T MISS IT! FOR FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Tickets: £18 Unreserved
Tickets: £20 Unreserved
Gala Opening: Lesley Garrett With Martin Pickard, piano
Friday 12th July
Friday 12th July
Royal Hall | 8pm
Friday 26th July
Royal Hall | 8pm piano
Clare Teal presents an evening with Sir Tim Rice,
Stravinsky – Petrushka
Special Guest & the BBC Radio Big Band
Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition
With a career that began in EMI Records and has since gone on to gather an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award, Sir Tim Rice knows a thing or two about the music business. We are delighted to announce that he’s taking to the Harrogate stage this summer along with Clare Teal and the BBC Radio Leeds Big Band for a night in Harrogate’s Royal Hall celebrating all things showbiz. With local-girl-turned international-star Clare Teal and song-smith Sir Tim, this is one not to be missed. Early booking is recommended. Tickets: £32, £28, £26, £22, £15 Boxes: £75, £50
Mikhail Rudy,
Piano, paintings and film from Russian pianist Mikhail Rudy combine in this truly intriguing event that celebrates two very different sides of Russian culture. The first act sees Rudy performing Stravinsky’s Petrushka to the Anthony Wilkinson film that features Little Angel Theatre puppets and dancers from the Guildhall School of Music performing the Petrushka ballet. In the second half, Rudy performs Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with a synchronised animation film of Kandinsky’s Watercolours, painted under the inspiration of Mussorgsky’s piece. This is an acclaimed and unique performance that has stunned audiences across Europe, appeared at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and now comes to the Harrogate stage for what will be a very special event.
Tickets: £25, £22, £20, £15 Boxes: £60, £40
Saturday 13th July
Thursday 11th July
Royal Hall | 7pm
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Peter Donohoe, piano Rimsky Korsakov – Capriccio Espagnole, Op. 34 Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 ‘Pathétique’ With more than sixty-five years of success, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra bring with them a sensational Russian programme, performed with internationally-acclaimed pianist Peter Donohoe. The programme opens with Rimsky Korsakov’s musical translation of Spanish folk music, followed by Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, one of the most influential and enduringly popular pieces of the composer’s canon. This awe-inspiring concert closes with Tchaikovsky’s 6th and final symphony, first performed just nine days before the composer’s death 120 years ago. Early booking is highly recommended.
Tickets: £38, £35, £30, £25, £18 Boxes: £75, £50
Book Online - www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
St George Hotel | 4pm
Paul Kildea on Benjamin Britten with Mark Milhofer, tenor Published to mark the beginning of the Britten centenary year in 2013, Paul Kildea’s Benjamin Britten: A Life in the Twentieth Century is the definitive biography of Britain’s greatest modern composer. Kildea delves deep into the past with forensic attention to detail as to how events relate to the music, and presents his findings with performances from tenor Mark Milhofer. Kildea is a writer and conductor who was Head of Music at the Aldeburgh Festival between 1999 and 2002. His intelligent understanding of the music he writes about has made this one of the most moving and enjoyable biographies of a creative artist of any kind to have appeared for years.
Tickets: £12 Unreserved
Book Now - Box Office 01423 562303
Saturday 27th July
Royal Hall | 8pm
John Wilson Orchestra We can’t think of a more fitting finale! Festival favourite, The John Wilson Orchestra make a welcome return for an evening celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra. Joining them will be guest star Matt Ford, who has previously performed with the likes of the Halle Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra as well as, of course, making his BBC Proms debut with the John Wilson Orchestra in John Wilson’s unforgettable MGM Prom. The critically acclaimed singer was also voted ‘Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist’ by the readers of Big Band World Magazine – a more than worthy vocalist to pay tribute to Old Blue Eyes himself. The perfect ending to another incredible summer of music. Not to be missed, early booking is highly recommended.
Tickets: £38, £35, £30, £25, £18 Boxes: £75, £50
Book Online - www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
MUSIC LITERATURE THEATRE Saturday 13th July Joanne Harris St George Hotel | 6pm The People’s Songs with Stuart Maconie St George Hotel | 8pm .......................................................................................................... Sunday 14th July Exploring Antarctica St George Hotel | 4pm
Booking Information Harrogate International Festivals are proud to announce the launch of our own, independent Box Office. Our new service will offer a great range of ticket booking options, and ensure you receive a personal service from the Festivals Team. General Booking opens 22 April 2013
HOW TO BOOK Phone:
01423 562303
Online:
www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
(online booking opens 22 April 2013)
Email: boxoffice@harrogate-festival.org.uk In Person: Harrogate International Festivals, 32 Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1DB
*Please note our new address
Ann Widdecombe St George Hotel | 6pm
Opening Times:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm
Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East Editor St George Hotel | 8pm ..........................................................................................................
Payment: Harrogate International Festivals Box Office accepts all major credit/debit cards (except American Express), cash and cheques. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Harrogate International Festivals’.
Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th July Oddsocks Productions: Comedy of Errors RHS Harlow Carr | 7.30pm .......................................................................................................... Wednesday 24th July Aquarelle Guitar Quartet Wesley Chapel | 7.30pm .......................................................................................................... Friday 26th July Mikhail Rudy, piano Royal Hall | 8pm ..........................................................................................................
Become a Friend of the Festivals The generous support and loyalty of our Friends of the Festival has been invaluable in ensuring Harrogate International Festivals’ continuation, growth and development over the five decades since being established in 1966. We greatly appreciate their contribution. You can join the Friends of the Festival scheme for as little as £25 a year. For more information please call the Festivals Office on 01423 562303 or email Louisa@harrogate-festival.org.uk Premier partners
Saturday 27th July Festival Finale: John Wilson Orchestra Royal Hall | 8pm .......................................................................................................... Plus: Spiegeltent | Music and Cabaret Outdoor Cinema, Children’s Festival
music | literature | arts | fringe | culture
e t a g o r r a l H a v i Fe s t 4-27 JU LY 2013 LESLEY GA RRETT ARMONICO C ONSORT CARDUCCI QUARTET
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ESTRA H C R O C I ARMON EA
ILH R O Y A L P H EAL CLARE
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PAUL K
MIKHAIL RUDY JOHN WILSON ORCHESTRA Supporters
LIANNE LA HAVAS
More events added daily, see our website for details. Full event guide available shortly.
Book Online - www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Harrogate International Festivals is a registered charity, no. 244861. All information correct at time of going to print. Harrogate International Festivals reserves the right to make such alterations as may become necessary.
Thursday 4th July Opening Gala: Lesley Garrett Royal Hall | 8pm .......................................................................................................... Friday 5th July Armonico Consort: Concert by Candlelight St Wilfrid’s Church | 8pm .......................................................................................................... Saturday 6th July Jacqui Dankworth Majestic Hotel | 8pm .......................................................................................................... Sunday 7th July Carducci Quartet Wesley Chapel | 7pm .......................................................................................................... Thursday 11th July Celebrating Jane Austen St George Hotel | 6pm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Peter Donohoe Royal Hall | 7pm ..........................................................................................................
HIG HLIGHTS MICHA
Harrogate Festival 2013 Programme
Box Office: 01423 562 303 www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Friday 12th July Michael Palin St George Hotel | 2pm An Evening with Richard & Judy St George Hotel | 8pm Clare Teal presents an evening with Sir Tim Rice, Special Guest, & the BBC Radio Leeds Big Band Royal Hall | 8pm .......................................................................................................... Saturday 13th July John Whaite: Winner of the 2012 Great British Bake Off St George Hotel | 12pm Paul Kildea on Benjamin Britten St George Hotel | 4pm
Book Now - Box Office 01423 562303