A rich cultural mix!
A sparkling galaxy of international and local talent will perform at the Saddleworth Festival of Arts to be held from 4th to 12th June.
The festival, which has established high standards and traditions over five decades and is now a firm fixture on the Saddleworth scene, brings together a wide range of international, national and local talent. It was in the mid-1950’s that a small group of enthusiasts led by the late Lord Rhodes of Saddleworth conceived the idea of an event which would bring top-quality performers to the district, and give local organisations an opportunity to demonstrate their talents in a festival setting. This led to the first festival in 1957 which was thought might be a one-off, but it caught the public imagination and now 54 years later the programme for the fourteenth festival is complete. Organised on an entirely honorary basis it is presented every four years, and the committee are confident that the 2011 Festival will maintain the high standards of the past.
True to the tradition established over fifty-four years, a glittering galaxy of international and local talent has been lined up for the 14th Saddleworth Festival which runs from Saturday 4th to Sunday 12th June. Journalist and television news presenter, George Alagiah; the orchestra with a ’wow’ factor, The Orchestra of the Swan; Saddleworth-born, award-winning soprano, Katherine Broderick; winner of the 2009 Leeds Piano Competition Sofya Gulyak; comedy legend Barry Cryer returning with Colin Sell and a new show; Classic FM’s John Suchet; television presenter of Countryfile and fell walker, Julia Bradbury and Opera Della Luna are just some of the artists who have been engaged to appear.
There will be films, drama, musical theatre, brass concerts, and no less than five choral concerts by local choirs, a wide range of exhibitions, the return of GigArt, a popular outdoor event involving the live presentation of modern music, an impressive firework display with brass band accompaniment, and much, much more.
All in all nine days of outstanding entertainment with something to suit all tastes.
In addition to the above celebrities the festival will feature performances by award-winning baroque group The Frolick, re-creating an evening of 18th century entertainment; international violist Robin Ireland and Friends with a string sextet; on a lighter note a history of Jazz with the Dave Donohoe Band entitled 'From the Rockin' of the Cradle' together with talks by Antiques Road Show Jewellery expert, Joanna Hardy; Director of Oxford Botanical Garden, Timothy Walker; students from Chetham’s School of Music and this year Festival Brass will present, National Champions of Great Britain, the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band.
The Telemann Baroque Ensemble will make their sixth successive festival appearance and two local choirs Saddleworth Musical Society and Saddleworth Male Voice Choir will be giving their thirteenth festival performances having taken part in every festival since 1962. Concerts will also be presented by other local festival ‘regulars’ Saddleworth Singers, Saddleworth Consort and the Sing for Pleasure Choir with Dobcross Youth Band. In contrast the Musical Jones Family makes their festival debut in a recital at St Anne’s Church, Lydgate.
Other indoor attractions will include a Ceilidh at Denshaw, and a Tango Night featuring Tango 5 at the White Hart Lydgate, Drama featuring Saddleworth Players and Uppermill Stage Society and a Film Night presented by Saddleworth Film Society.
Add to this a wide range of exhibitions, - a "Sports Showcase" which will give an opportunity for children and teenagers to try for the first time, or further develop, skills in various sports – the live presentation of modern music with GigArt 2011 – other outdoor attractions ranging from sailing to bowls - an impressive firework display with brass band accompaniment on the final Saturday, and much, much more.
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