Monday 14 January 2013

2013 SWALEDALE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME PREVIEW


A new year means it's time to start looking forward to a new Swaledale Festival - and we've got a terrific programme planned for 2013! Here's a summary, excluding the guided walks and exhibitions which are still being finalised.

25 MAY
Charlotte Barbour-Condini
Stunning 16 year-old BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist, on recorder, accompanied by a mini-orchestra of familiar faces.
26 MAY
Rachel Antill, artist and mountaineer
Gunnerside-based painter presents new works, a film and a book inspired by a Himalayan expedition.
Fourum
Evergreen Swaledale folk group. See them in ITV's The Dales, then hear them live in Low Row!
Renaissance Choir
Exquisite Renaissance and modern choral music from this Durham-based choir.
27 MAY
Family Day at Hazel Brow Farm
A drop-in day for people of all ages. Stroke lambs, learn about wool, enjoy a short guided walk.
Scaramouche Jones, with Neil Gwynne
Superb one-man play, performed by the actor who followed Pete Postlethwaite and Warren Mitchell in making the role his own.
Antonio Forcione Trio
Breathtaking world music with an African flavour.
28 MAY
Calum Huggan (marimba, percussion) and Jo Ashcroft (flute)
Two star graduates of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music will keep you thrilled.
Leyburn Band
A mixed programme from the popular mid-Wensleydale band, directed by George Lundberg.
Royal String Quartet
A terrific quartet from Poland, making its first visit to Grinton. This will be a top-quality evening.
29 MAY
Open Mic Poetry
An informal chance for local and visiting poets to read their works in the Burgoyne Hotel, Reeth.
Muker Silver Band
Popular and historic local band, conducted by Duncan Bythell.
John Williams (guitar)
He's the world's greatest classical guitarist, and he's in Swaledale. Sure to be a sell-out concert.
30 MAY
David Owen Norris
Regular Radio 3 presenter demonstrates the world's first piano concertos on his 1781 square piano, in 1784 Gayle Mill.
Barry Cryer and Colin Sell
Radio 4 comedy favourites bring their new show, Butterfly Brain, to Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal.
31 MAY
David Munro: The Luthier's Art
A master violin-maker talks about his craft and demonstrates his instruments.
Ensemble Musica Poetica Freiburg
Very good German baroque performers, on their first visit to the Swaledale Festival.
The Swale Singers
The popular Swaledale choir ventures into Wensleydale to perform works by Haydn and Karl Jenkins.
The Kid Boyd Band
Trad jazz, with South African 'township-style' influences, in a marquee. A great way to spend a summer evening.
1 JUNE
Magdalena Filipczak
Fast becoming a Festival favourite, this violinist performs in the lovely private chapel at Aske.
Poetry and Pints with Roger McGough
The veteran Liverpool performance poet brings his rowdy, possibly bawdy humour to the marquee of the Buck Hotel in Reeth.
Leyland Band - no, not Leyburn Band...
Great band from Lancashire, second only to Black Dyke in the 2012 English Nationals.
2 JUNE
Sheep Pen Productions
Local actors and musicians in Deck Chairs. It's the last day of the season, and Swaledale goes off on a charabang to Whitby...
Northern Early Music Cooperative
World-class early-music ensemble, with a lovely programme of Italian Renaissance music.
3 JUNE
Prima Volta Ensemble
Largely improvised music from an unusual line-up of talented young players.
Reeth Brass
Reeth's resident band in concert, directed by Brian Hicks.
Hallé Orchestra Soloists
Yes, that Hallé Orchestra. Strings and wind in a variety of small ensembles; mainly 20th-century works.
4 JUNE, RICHMOND DAY
Ursula Smith
Exceptional cellist performs Bach, Britten, and the world première of a new piece by Sally Beamish, in the presence of the composer.
The Hut People
Back again with a new set, this ever-popular folk duo is loved by audiences of all ages.
Northern Sinfonia
First-class wind ensemble from our major regional orchestra plays Mozart, Gounod, Ibert, Janacek and Enescu.
5 JUNE
Niamh Ní Charra Duo
Exceptional acoustic Irish traditional music, from former Riverdance star.
Muker Silver Band
Second concert by the popular band from upper Swaledale.
Tetra
Superb classical guitar quartet performs a very accessible programme of works, mainly modern.
6 JUNE
Patricia Hammond (mezzo-soprano) and Jean Kelly (harp)
You asked us to bring them back, so we did - and this time they're performing together.
Niamh Ní Charra Trio
Like the Duo, only more so. And Irisher.
7 JUNE
The 2012 Reeth Lecture
Popular TV presenter Lucinda Lambton gives an illustrated talk on glorious loos...
Hawes Silver Prize Brass Band
Fine brass band from upper Wensleydale, directed by Stan Roocroft.
Façade, featuring Contraband and children of Wensleydale
William Walton's extraordinary Façade, plus new works by Yorkshire composers David Blake and Graham Coatman.
8 JUNE
John Rutter says Come and Sing. With David Murray (piano)
The superstar of the choral music world directs a day-long workshop for singers of all ages and abilities.
Richmond School Theatre: Monologues and Duologues
Talented local drama students present original work.
Grafitti Classics
Side-splitting comedy from a string quartet like no other. And yes, they really can play very, very well. A great finish to the Festival.

Phew! We hope you like the look of that huge programme.