Dear Blogger,
Message from www.WhittingtonMusicFestival.org.uk - 17th to 21st May 2023
| Just 10 days before he comes to Whittington, baritone Roddy Williams will sing at the coronation of King Charles III. Speaking about the concert he's giving on Saturday May 20th, Roddy says:
'Devotees of high art song might at times feel themselves to be part of a tiny clique; even those who love classical music in general can sometimes be put off by the idea of listening to hours of song in someone else's language. However, Jeremy Sams' translations of Schubert cycles remove a significant obstacle and allow English-speaking audiences to experience these wonderful songs and understand the narrative plainly in real time.
And the story is universal; a tale of youthful love and longing, of a loss of innocence, of betrayal and heart-ache. It is the stuff of popular song and Schubert's music is full of popular, youthful energy. The Fair Maid of the Mill reminds us what it was like to be young again, on the cusp of adulthood, when every conflicting emotion was experienced with a deep, searing passion. Schubert had an extraordinary gift for melody and the songs are, in youthful parlance, 'absolute bangers'.
After having performed on such a large, high-pressured stage as at Westminster Abbey, it's going to be an absolute delight to bring chamber music back to an intimate setting. We can dispense with the fanfares, the pomp and the circumstance and make some new connections over this beautiful music.' | | | |
Tickets
There are currently only 10 tickets (mostly single) available online for the final concert on Sunday afternoon in which Roddy is also singing. 20 more will be made available on Thursday April 13th. Otherwise, you can get still tickets in person at Rowanthorn or Whittington Post Office.
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Desperately Seeking …
Unless we can find a treasurer and at least one new trustee there won't be a festival next year. Being a trustee carries no financial risk and is not arduous. Management meetings are held monthly from September to June, usually on a Thursday afternoon and last no longer than 90 minutes.
Apart from being numerate, no additional qualifications are necessary for the treasurer role. It is not essential to become a trustee, although you do need to attend meetings. In all, it requires about 125 hours' work annually, although some of this can be delegated.
For further information contact http://rob@whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk
We also need one or two more volunteer drivers to transport musicians, mostly between Bronygarth and Whittington for rehearsals and concerts. There is an online form with which to choose your journeys. You will be rewarded with two free tickets for the Saturday evening concert. If you would like to help, please contact http://judygreaves@icloud.com | | | | Free admission
You are welcome to sit in on rehearsals at the church, on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th between 10am and 6pm with a break for lunch. On Saturday there will be masterclasses for talented teenage musicians from 10.00 until 10:45 and again from 12:15 until 12:45. Do drop in! | | | |
