Welcome to Ryedale Festival 2008.
Following the extraordinary British weather in the summer of 2007, one of the main themes in this year’s programme is The Four Elements – Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The programme also explores the Serenade (a genre with its origins in outdoor performance, but here all sensibly played indoors) and the trilogy of French masters Debussy, Ravel and Messiaen. We will continue last year’s exploration of musical arrangements – excellent transcriptions for chamber forces that enable us to bring major symphonic music to the intimate venues of this magical Festival.
Castle Howard will once again host a magnificent ‘triple concert’ in which three programmes will be performed in different parts of the house, giving the audience three mini-concerts in one evening. Another innovation, the ‘RyeCrawl’, will see the audience taken on a magical musical mystery tour by coach, visiting a sequence of stunning architectural gems; each venue will be brought to life by a short recital. If you know someone who lives in the area who would find it hard to get to a concert, you can nominate them for a ‘Concert in your Kitchen’ – a short performance in their own home given by one of the Festival’s artists!
The BBC Singers, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, are joined by the award-winning young cellist Guy Johnston to give a major concert in York Minster; other artists include the Sacconi and Doric String Quartets and an ensemble from Opera North; the period instrument orchestra The Harmony of Nations will be in residence in the first week, giving two concerts and accompanying the Festival Opera (Handel Orlando). We have brass bands, a big band and a steel band, and Ryedale’s wealth of local talent will be showcased in the ever-popular Community Opera and other performances.
We are very grateful to the Ryedale District Council for their continuing support of the Festival, and to the many sponsors, trusts and individuals without whose help we would be unable to bring such a wide range of first class performances to the district. Our thanks also go to the Patrons and Friends who do so much to make the Festival such an exhilarating fortnight. Come and enjoy the magic of live performance – I look forward to seeing you here!
Justin Doyle / Artistic Director
