The Kirker Music Festival on Lake Como

A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 1 APRIL 2023

We are returning to the mystical and romantic shores of Lake Como for another Kirker Music Festival. The calm, deep waters of the lake are lined by elegant villas, imposing cypresses and dense vegetation all combining to create an air of timelessness. The low-arching mountains form a dramatic backdrop which has inspired writers, poets, composers, and artists for centuries. Goethe’s Mignon spent her life yearning to be back in the beautiful place where citrus trees blossom. In Moltrasio, a statue of the composer, Vincenzo Bellini, reclines languidly by the lake, an elegant reminder that captures the spirit of the lake.

the itinerary

We stay in the 4* Grand Hotel Imperiale in Moltrasio, a small village on the shores of the lake. The hotel has a lakeside restaurant, renovated bedrooms, spacious lounges, and a spa with an indoor plunge pool. There will be free time for you to use the extensive ferry services that leave from right in front of the hotel. Moltrasio has several excellent restaurants for you to enjoy. We will travel by private boat to the Villa Balbianello, beautifully sited on its private promontory and then continue to Bellagio for some free time. We also go to one of Italy’s finest hotels, the Villa d’Este, for a gastronomic lunch overlooking the lake. Another excursion takes us to the Villa Medici Giulini where we can see and hear some of the historic pianos in the collection of Fernanda Giulini before the recital in the lovely theatre adjoining the villa.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

Daniel’s first of two recitals will be given at the Villa Medici Giulini. Here we can see and hear some of the historic pianos in the collection of Fernanda Giulini before the recital in the lovely theatre adjoining the villa. All other concerts will be given at the Hotel Imperiale. 2 April: Daniel Lebhardt, piano Chopin: Ballade No. 3 Chopin: Barcarolle Scriabin: Sonata No. 3 in F sharp minor Scriabin: Vers la flamme Liszt: Lugubre gondola Liszt: Sonata in B minor

3 April, morning concert: Benjamin Baker, violin; Jonathan Bloxham, cello; Daniel Lebhardt, piano A programme of works for piano trio. 3 April, afternoon concert: Benjamin Baker, violin; Jonathan Bloxham, cello; Daniel Lebhardt, piano The performance will include a selection of string duos and string sonatas.

4 April: Benjamin Baker, violin; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Jonathan Bloxham, cello; Daniel Lebhardt, piano Mozart: Piano Quartet in G minor Schubert: Notturno Brahms: Piano Quartet No.1 in G minor Op.25 5 April: Daniel Lebhardt, piano Mozart: Rondo in A minor K. 511 Mozart: Adagio K. 358 Mendelssohn: Variations serieuses in D minor, Op.54 Schubert: Sonata in B flat major D. 960

THE MUSICIANS

Pianist Daniel Lebhardt was born in Hungary and studied at the Franz Liszt Academy and later at the Royal Academy of Music. He won First Prize in the Young Concert Artists auditions in Paris and New York. He has appeared as a soloist with orchestras throughout the USA and given many recitals in Europe. As a chamber musician, he works regularly with the Castalian String Quartet and the violinist Benjamin Baker. Performer, editor, composer and teacher, Simon Rowland-Jones has always led a very busy, all-embracing musical life. He was founder violist of the Chilingirian Quartet, in which he played for a total of ten years, and subsequently performed with many other leading chamber groups. He teaches viola and chamber music at the Royal College of Music and is co-director of the North Norfolk Music Festival. Benjamin Baker, violin, came to the UK from New Zealand to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School and then at the Royal College Music. He was a Young Concert Artist Trust winner. He appears regular as a soloist with international orchestras and recently played with the Forth Worth Orchestra and in Charleston, South Carolina. Jonathan Bloxham, cello, has a multifaceted career, equally at home on the recital platform and as a conductor. Last season he conducted Don Pasquale on the nationwide Glyndebourne Tour. He studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the Royal College of Music.

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

1 April £2,897 £475

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. Supplement for an Executive room with lake view and balcony: £310

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 14.45, arrive Milan Malpensa 17.50 Depart Milan Malpensa 18.50, arrive London Heathrow 19.50 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Five nights’ accommodation including breakfast • Three dinners • Two lunches • All concerts and talks as described • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • Services of the Kirker Tour Leader