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14
Jan
Headline acts at this year's Northern Aldborough Festival will include violinist Viktoria Mullova and Majesty, a Queen tribute band, organisers revealed this week.
The annual festival near Boroughbridge was established in 1994 and its 30th anniversary will take place from June 13 to 22.
The festival punches above its weight for a small village event: its patron is Dame Judi Dench and It has been described by the Times as ‘well on its way to being one of the leading fixtures on the classical music calendar'.
The artistic director is an operatic countertenor Robert Ogden, who runs the family’s jewellery store in Harrogate. Before taking on Ogden of Harrogate.
The festival aims to bring exceptional music to new audiences, in intimate rural locations where it would not normally be heard, making the village an unlikely epicentre for classical music.
Each summer, the Northern Aldborough Festival welcomes opera singers, acclaimed pianists, and jazz ensembles.
Fantasia Orchestra, who will play on the opening night
This year, there’s a focus on championing young classical talent.
The opening night will see 25-year-old Tom Fetherstonehaugh conducting Fantasia Orchestra, alongside pianist Alim Beisembayev, who at 23 won the last Leeds Piano Competition, performing Tchaikovsky and Chopin.
There’s also the return of its nationwide hunt for the best classical vocal talent. The New Voices Singing Competition, which launched last year, has a top prize of £5,000, and live semi and grand-final in front of a judging panel; it’s a unique opportunity to catch rising stars in their ascendence.
Other acts include Armonico Consort with a semi-staged production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, leading British jazz pianist Julian Joseph, and classically trained comedienne Amy Webber.
Aldborough’s late night venue The Shed also returns for concert goers who want to continue in a relaxed environment with a variety of live entertainment and refreshments.
The Last Night Outdoor Concert will see the UK’s biggest Queen tribute band, Majesty, perform to festival-goers, who descend on the grounds of Aldborough Manor. Audiences are invited to bring a picnic and dance the night away, ending with a spectacular orchestrated firework display.
To find out more about the festival click here.
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