Choral Music Symposium
The 5th World Symposium on Choral Music, consisting of more than 50 concerts
and more than 100 workshops, takes place 7-14 July in Rotterdam. Info: www.snk.nl
Mardi Gras Manchester
Music for a While
present songs by Sterndale Bennett, Elgar and Sullivan, solos and duets
of the period and a reading of Oscar Wilde's the Nightingale and
the Rose on 28 August, 7.30pm at Cross St Chapel, Cross St, Manchester
M2 1NL, United Kingdom, as part of the Gay and Lesbian Manchester Mardi
Gras Festival.
La Guitarra California
Tickets are now on sale for La Guitarra California (24-26 September 1999
on the campus of Cuesta College, scenic Highway 1, north west of San Luis
Obispo, California) from +1 805 546 3131. Info: La
Guitarra California website.
and previously published news ...
Messiaen Festival 1999 in the French Alps
Details of July's Messiaen Festival at la Grave in the French Alps are
available at http://festival-messiaen.org/indexe.html
. Highlights include performances of Poèmes pour MI, Chants
de Terre et de Ciel, Visions de L'Amen and Stockhausen's Les
Signes du Zodiaque. Also features a thematic concert based on rhythm
in the 20th century and Indian classical music.
Eurydice in Padova
The National Assembly of the Foundation 'Cassa di Risparmio' of Padova
and Risparmio (Italy) invite you to a forthcoming performance of Peri's
Euridice, the world's earliest surviving opera. 5 July, 9pm in Fratta
Polesine (RO) (Villa Fanan), entrance free. Info: www.angelfire.com/la/lesnations .
Rimini Percussionists
'I tamburi si battono per la musica ... e poi cantano' - The percussionists
of the Rimini Chamber Orchestra will play M. Udow's Africa welcome piece,
Construction III by John Cage, Drumming (part 1) by Steve
Reich and Gainsboroug by T. Gauger on 5 July, 9.30pm at Piazza Ganganelli,
Santarcangelo (RN), Italy. Info: Fondazione
Arturo Toscanini
York Early Music
The York Early Music Festival July 2-11 this year explores the worldwide
repertory for wind instruments. With Tibetan monks, a Japanese flautist
and the American ensemble Piffaro, plus The York Waits and an educational
project The Carnival of Time, the programme is well varied. Info
on www.yorkearlymusic.org.
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham (UK) Festival explores music with as much enthusiasm as
ever from 3-18 July. Twenty or so premières will uphold the original
reputation of this Festival to support new music, especially British. Festival
debuts include Anonymous 4, Julian Lloyd Webber, and the pianist Francois-Frederic
Guy.
To celebrate the 65th birthday of Peter Maxwell Davies there will be
a staging of Eight Songs for a Mad King and the English première
of a Trumpet Quintet.
As composer-in-residence, Mark-Anthony Turnage receives several performances.
Music Theatre Wales brings a new production of Britten's The Rape of
Lucretia. Various ensembles will between them programme the Mozart string
quintets. There is much more, and many young artists also making their Cheltenham
debut. Info from www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk/music
Leipzig, Mullova and Pushkin
The City of London Festival runs 22 June to 15 July. Alongside a multiplicity
of non-musical events are the Leipzig String Quartet, the Mullova Ensemble,
a St Paul's Cathedral concert combining the Choir and Chorus, and a Barbican
weekend of Pushkin-related films. Info on www.city-of-london-festival.org.uk
.
Oxford Festival of Contemporary Music
The Oxford Festival of Contemporary Music runs from 24 April to 11 July.
As always here, music is not hounded to death by overkill. This lengthy
festival has just eleven events, with each of them contrasted and challenging.
From Ensemble Bash to Sacred Songs (which includes Messiaen's Messe de
la Pentecote), from horn trios (including Ligeti's) to Japanese drumming,
from Stockhausen's Kontakte to Sciarrino's Notturni for piano
solo. Info on +44 (0)1865 791355.
Jonathan Dove
Jonathan Dove is now published exclusively by Peters Edition. His successful
Glyndebourne opera Flight returns this summer for seven performances
during August (Info +44 (0)1273 813813). His new church opera Tobias
and the Angel will be performed by Almeida Opera at Christchurch, Highbury
in North London July 7-10. (Info +44 (0)171 359 4404)
Lichfield International Arts Festival
Under the direction of Paul Spicer, Lichfield International Arts Festival
takes place 7-18 July. It presents a galaxy of star performers - Felicity
Lott, Stephen Kovacevich, Christian Blackshaw, The Nash Ensemble, Endellion
String Quartet; and a new opera for voices alone by Andrew Gant. Noye's
Fludde is to be performed with local children. There's much more to
be found in the brochure. Info on +44 (0)1543 257557.
St Albans International Organ Festival
The 20th St Albans International Organ Festival takes place 8-17 July.
The jury for the Organ Competition is made up of notable organists: David
Higgs (USA), Naji Hakim (France), and Ben van Oosten (Holland). Each will
also give recitals. Catherine Ennis will hold schools' workshops and a Poulenc
centenary concert will include the piano and organ concertos. Verdi's Requiem
will be sung by the St Albans Bach Choir under Andrew Lucas. The lighter
side is presented by equally notable performers: Cleo Laine and John Dankworth
(9 July); Kim Cresswell and Wayne Marshall (16 July). Booking info +44 (0)1727
846126.
Musik i Uppland
The Uppsala Kammarsolister with Sören Hermansson, horn will perform
the Mozart quintet K407, Idyll for horn and string quartet by Glazunov,
Shostakovich's string quartet no.8 op. 110 and Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik
K. 525 on 9 July, 6pm in Uppsala, Sweden. Tickets: 077 1707070.
Butterflies in Milan
A new production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly by the Fondazione
Teatro alla Scala in collaboration with the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini
and the Teatro Regio di Parma will be performed in Cortile Castello Sforzesco,
Milano, Italy on 10, 13, 15 and 16 July, all at 9.30pm. Cast includes Elmira
Veda - Maria Pia Jonata, Viktor Afanasenko, Franco Vassallo - Vittorio Vitelli,
with the Coro Del Teatro Regio di Parma (director Marco Faelli) and the
Orchestra Sinfonica dell'Emilia Romagna 'Arturo Toscanini (director Patrick
Fournillier). Info: Fondazione
Arturo Toscanini
Michael Hulmes in Cedar Park
Michael Hulmes gives a classical guitar recital on 10 July, 7.30pm in
Cedar Park, Murray Road, Derby, United Kingdom. Info: www.classicalguitar.freeserve.co.uk/mhulmes.htm
.
Madley Festival
Incredibly, a flourishing UK music festival in the small town of Madley
near Hereford is announcing its 34th season, 10-18 July. The particularly
impressive Parish Church is the hub of these activities. Experienced professional
players come and play in various guises: Orchestra of the Swan, and The
London Gala Orchestra, plus Ebony Quartet, Brook Street Baroque, and the
Pro-Arte Guitar Trio. The music is mostly mainstream, although some neat
touches are to be found. Details from either +44 (0)1981 250309 or +44 (0)1981
550293.
Schleswig Holstein
The Schleswig Holstein Music Festival runs through the region from 11
July to 29 August. Details of this wide-ranging festival from bestellung@shmf.de
Buxton Festival
The Buxton Festival in Derbyshire, UK, runs 15-25 July. Operas include
Donizetti Il campanello di notte and Suppe The beautiful Galatea
as a double bill, Puccini's Il Tabarro and Britten's The Rape
of Lucretia plus an opera gala. Info +44 (0)1292 70395.
Musica Mundi on campus
Musica Mundi (voice, baroque flute, recorder, baroque cello and harpsichord
- 'A valid rival to the Tallis Scholars' - Church Times) will perform
18th century English music, including sonatas and songs by Arne, Eccles,
Croft on 16 July, 7.30pm at the University of Hertfordshire, Hertford Campus,
United Kingdom. Phone +44 (0)1707 284004 for tickets (£5). Details:
www.byrd.u-net.com/mm/forth.html
Visitors from France
Cambridge Summer Music - 16 July to 15 August - presents a wide variety
of events, opening with the Maggini Quartet playing Schubert, Tchaikovsky
and Grieg. Other groups visiting will be I Fagiolini with Concordia, Parley
of Instruments, Academy of Ancient Music, The Nash Ensemble, Red Priest,
and The Campbell Ensemble. Organists will include two new visitors from
France, Michel Bouvard and Francois Espinasse. The BBC Singers, London Baroque
Soloists and His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts present Monteverdi's Vespers
and a new work by Robin Orr under Stephen Cleobury. Cambridge Arts Box Office
+44 (0)1223 503333.
Meltdown
'Meltdown' presents its fifth annual celebration at London's Royal Festival
Hall of one of the world's biggest festivals of percussion and its music
on 17-25 July. Percussive Sticks assembles a multi-cultural display
of brilliant performers worldwide, from the Kobayakawa Suigin Taiko Drummers
of Hiroshama, the South American Airto Moreiro to the remarkable Adrian
Spillett, BBC Young Musician of the Year 1998, and many more. Nick Cave,
director of 'Meltdown', speaks of his role as 'helping facilitate mayhem,
magic and madness on a grand scale'. Box Office +44 (0)171 960 4242.
New Sullivan Trial in Martley
A new edition of Sullivan's Trial by Jury is to receive its first
performance on 18 July, 7.30pm at the Chantry High School, Martley, Worcestershire,
United Kingdom. American conductor Bruce I Miller from Worcester, Massachusetts
will direct the Severnside Theatre Ensemble (an ad-hoc group of local singers
and instrumentalists). Sue Black and Patrick Briddon will sing the roles
of the Plaintiff and the Defendant.
The new edition has been produced as part of the Broude Critical Edition
project, of which Bruce Miller is a member of the editorial board. Miller
and Gloucestershire musician Helga Perry recently discovered a lost song
from H.M.S. Pinafore. Info: Helga
Perry or Bruce Miller.
Gala Concert in memory of Richard Tucker
A gala concert in memory of the singer Richard Tucker will be held on
21 July at the Teatro Communale in Firenze, Italy (where Tucker was so popular,
and sang so often). Singers appearing in the concert include the Alagnas,
Terfel, Ramey, Bocelli, Bartoli, Fleming and the voice of Tucker himself.
Guests of honour will be Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli. A world-wide
broadcast of the concert is expected, with the concert also being shown
live outside in the piazza.
Biped
The Merce Cunningham Dance Company will present Biped, a new work
to a commissioned score by Gavin Bryars at the Lincoln Center in New York
on 21 and 24 July. A European tour by the Company in the autumn will
bring Biped to Paris for a season 9-20 November. The work explores
a new animation technology of motion capture.
New music for solo cello
Gabriel Prynn performs contemporary works for cello solo by Richard Barrett,
Bernd Alois Zimmermann, Elliott Carter, Jonathan Harvey, Michel Gonneville
and André Ristic. Saturday, 24 July, 7:30 pm at St.John's Church
Waterloo, London (Waterloo Station/Tube) United Kingdom. Tickets: £5
/ £4 Info: www.bcity.com/gabrielprynn
Let's do it!
Voces Sacrae, one of Britain's finest young vocal ensembles, will sing
sacred and secular music, part songs, close harmony and cabaret songs at
Constantine Parish Church, near Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom, on 27
July, 7.30pm. Info: www.acprom.demon.co.uk/vocessacrae/
Reflect, My Child
A lecture/concert Gilbert and Sullivan Rarities: Music From The Cutting
Room Floor on 29 July in the Paxton Theatre at Buxton Pavilion features
the world première of the ballad Reflect, My Child, sung by
former D'Oyly Carte stars Michael Rayner and Jean Hindmarsh (with orchestra).
Info: Helga Perry.
British Invasion!
Jeffrey Tate is to conduct all British music at the Minnesota Orchestra
Viennese Sommerfest on 30 July, 8pm. Matthew Trusler (violin), Anthony Dean
Griffey (tenor), Michael Gast (horn) and the Minnesota Orchestra will perform
Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, the Britten Serenade for Tenor,
Horn and Strings, These Premises are Alarmed by Thomas Adès,
The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams and Elgar's overture Cockaigne.
Info: www.mnorch.org or +1 800 292
4141 (phone), +1 612 371 7191 (fax). (Tickets are $15 and $25.)
Festival Internazionale Massimo Amfiteatrof
The International Chamber Ensemble has just commenced its season of summer
concerts and opera in the courtyard of S. Ivo in Rome. Similarly, there
will be a summer music series of six concerts - Festival Internazionale
Massimo Amfiteatrof at the Piazzi of S. Andrea in Levanto from 3 to
13 August. Admission to this festival is free. Info: www.webeco.it/interensemble
Jane Eaglen's benefit concert
Seattle Symphony's new Benaroya Hall is the venue for Jane Eaglen's benefit
concert on 14 August. Her all-Wagner programme repeats Flagstad's 1955 farewell
programme. Seats are selling very quickly, so book soon if interested. Info
+1 800 426 1619. http://www.seattleopera.org
.
Edinburgh Festival
The 53rd Edinburgh Festival runs 15 August to 4 September. Highlights
include the return of the Vienna Philharmonic after 23 years, the Pittsburgh
Orchestra, the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, and the NDR Symphony Orchestra
Hamburg, the new Ensemble Modern Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra,
and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
In the realm of opera, a new production of Puccini's Turandot
is to be seen with an Asian cast, and a new production of Verdi's Macbeth.
Britten's The Rape of Lucretia will be heard in a concert version.
A galaxy of international performers will be heard in recitals and chamber
music. Music of the Pipes is a series planned to show its expanding
repertory and the diversity of music.
Perhaps the most innovative step for the Festival this year is a new
Centre, The Hub, which is described as a 'stunning building'. It opens in
July.
Organ Recital
Friedemann Herz will play the organ of Brixen Cathedral in Italy on 24
and 26 August. Music by Ligeti (Volumina), Schnittke (Two little
pieces), Corneliu Dan Georgescu (Orbis III, first performance),
Adriana Hölszky, Viktor Suslin, Paul Hindemith, Arvo Pärt, Giacinto
Scelsi and Bojidar Spassov, Info: fherz@online-club.de
Berliner Mahler-Fest
The complete works of Mahler will be performed at the Berliner Mahler-Fest,
throughout September. Info: www.berlinerfestspiele.de
.
What Next?
The Berlin premiere of Elliot Carter's one act comic opera What Next?
is at the Deutsche Staatsoper Unter den Linden, 16 September 1999. With
text by Paul Griffiths (after Jacques Tati's film Traffic), What
Next? is conducted by Daniel Barenboim and directed by Nicolas Brieger,
with decor by Gisbert Jaekel. There are further performances on 18, 22 and
25 September, and on 25 and 31 March 2000.
RFH Classics International
Looking forward to London's Royal Festival
Hall's Classic International Series starting in September, a procession
of great orchestras of Europe and one American will dazzle the musical scene
on the South Bank. Leading off with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of
Amsterdam on 22 September under Riccardo Chailly, there follows in date
order the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, Milan directed by Riccardo Muti
(4 October), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado (11 October),
Pierre Boulez directing the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (22 October),
the Orchestra and Chorus of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Rome
conducted by Myung Whun Chung (21 and 22 November), the Vienna Philharmonic
again with Seiji Ozawa (15 March), and the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted
by Wolfgang Sawallisch (19 May).
Moonbird
Gerard Schurmann's song-cycles, Chuench'i (translations of Chinese
poems by Arthur Waley), and Six Songs of William Blake, together
with Nine Slovak Folk Songs are due to be performed in Manchester
on September 25, to be followed by recordings for commercial CD on September
27 and 28 by Alison Wells (soprano) and Martyn Hill (tenor), with Keith
Swallow (piano). In addition, Moonbird for solo recorder will be
given its first performance at the concert on September 25 by John Turner.
Info: www.gerard-schurmann.com
Music to move you
'Music to move you' is an eight-concert season announced for the St David's
Hall as the National Concert Hall of Wales from September through to May
2000. Apart from top ranking British orchestras and conductors there will
be visits by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Moscow Philharmonic
Orchestra.
Beethoven cycle
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment will give a Beethoven symphony
cycle at the Royal Festival Hall in London commencing October 14 with conductor
Sir Roger Norrington. Info: +44 (0)171 960 4242.
Steel and Gold
'Steel and Gold' is the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's title for a
forthcoming Rachmaninov retrospective. Over October and November, five concerts
will contain the three symphonies, Symphonic Dances, and a concert version
of his opera The Miserly Knight, as well as works by contemporaries.
A series booking will also include a free celebrity concert with Artur Pizarro.
Info: bbcso@bbc.co.uk
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