BRIGHT new talent will be showcased in venues across the district at this year's Northern Aldborough Festival, which begins next Thursday.
This year marks the 15th year of the festival, which has become a popular event in the region’s arts calendar.
Both new and established musicians are featured in the line-up, including Lithuanian pianist Evelina Puzaite, the winner of numerous int
ernational piano competitions and a regular performer at top venues such as the Barbican and the Southbank centre.
She will be performing pieces by Schumann, Prokofiev, Debussy, Liszt and Kodaly.
Also making a first appearance is another pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith, who will be playing Beethoven’s Sonata in F minor and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Another festival debut will come from the Northern Wind Ensemble and the Heath Quartet.
Opera Brava, the community opera company, will again be collaborating with 80 pupils from Boroughbridge Primary School to present a production of CS Lewis’s Prince Caspian. Opera Brava will also perform Puccini’s well-known opera La Bohème.
Following a sell-out performance last year, cabaret specialists Hatstand Opera return with a new show, Vocal Vices at Harrogate’s Sun Pavilion.
A wide range of morning concerts wil take place at venues such as Stockeld Park near Wetherby, Aldborough Church and Markenfield Hall near Ripon.
In Harrogate, community concerts will take place at Henshaws College and Saint Michael’s Hospice.
The Summerhayes Piano Trio will give a concert at Springfield Garth old peoples’ home in Boroughbridge.
The festival finale – complete with fireworks – will again be in the grounds of Aldborough Manor with appearances by Abba tribute band Voulez Vous and the Virgin Islanders Steel Band.
l The festival runs from June 18 to 27. Details at www.aldboroughfestival.com or on 01423 322 586.
