08
Dec
Northern Aldborough Festival announces 2026 line-up
This article is free to read. We publish about 100 articles a week all exclusively focused on local news. Please support independent local journalism by subscribing here. It costs as little as 14p a day.
One of Yorkshire’s leading classical music festivals has announced its 2026 line-up.
The Northern Aldborough Festival, which dates back to 1994, will take place from June 18 to 27.
The festival, which brings international stars to the village of Aldborough, near Boroughbridge, will open with the Orchestra of Opera North performing Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
Clarinettist Emma Johnson returns to Aldborough with her trio to perform work by Beethoven, Brahms, and Shostakovich.
Emma Johnson. Pic: John Batten
Lucy Parham will play I, Clara, which tells the extraordinary story of Clara Schumann in a blend of words and music, narrated by the actor Joanna David.
Pianist Sarah Beth Briggs, the Newcastle-born former child prodigy who was the youngest finalist in the history of the BBC Young Musician competition, will make her debut at Aldborough. Now based in York, she has performed with major UK orchestras to critical acclaim.
Other highlights include violinist Harriet Mackenzie, Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski and jazz drummer Clark Tracey.
Violinist Harriet Mackenzie and guitar player Morgan Szymanski
Opera company Wild Arts return with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and the annual £7,000 New Voices Singing Competition will take place for a fourth year. Past judges include Dame Felicity Lott, Sir Thomas Allen, Edward Gardner, and Dame Jane Glover.
Tribute band Definitely Oasis will headline the Last Night Outdoor Concert, set in the grounds of Aldborough Manor, which closes the festival.
Robert Ogden, festival director, said:
As a charity, the festival’s mission is to bring high-end live music to a rural location. We’re proud to bring the kind of world-leading acts normally seen on cosmopolitan stages to our village church, in a gorgeous countryside setting. Nothing beats the truly uplifting and transformative experience this level of artistry and music offers. We really hope those who might be new to - or even feel a bit intimidated about classical music - to come along, experience, and fall in love, with it.
Tickets go on sale in the spring.
0