WINCHESTER Festival organisers are promising to entice and entertain with their 2016 programme.
Full details of what's on from July 1 to 9 have been announced at a special launch party.
This year’s Festival begins in fine style with Brahms’ German Requiem in the fittingly grand surroundings of Winchester Cathedral.
This opening concert heralds nine days of music, talks and drama throughout the city, including Fauré’s exquisite Requiem, Michael Morpurgo on the inspiration behind his stories and a staged reading of Venus and Adonis in the 400th anniversary year of Shakespeare’s death.
Take a peek into history from world-renowned author Antony Beevor, who casts his eye over Hitler's 'last gamble' and Professor Alice Roberts, anthropologist, author and television presenter, who sets sail on an adventure in search of the Celts of Iron Age Europe.
Enjoy a cappella singing from award-winning choir Sansara, a dynamic and innovative chamber choir bringing together some of the country's finest young singers and revel in extravagant baroque music from Red Priest with Viva Baroque!
National treasure Sandi Toksvig will be in conversation with John Lloyd and Robert Hardy on stage remembering Sir Winston Churchill’s Wilderness Years.
Lunchtime concerts from talented young musicians sit side-by-side concerts from local groups such as Winchester Music Club and the Ashton Singers, and a diverse range of talks taking in literature, art, history, and politics the media from a host of well-known names, including former Business Secretary and MP Vince Cable and renowned broadcaster and campaigner Esther Rantzen amongst others mentioned above in a diverse list of speakers.
New to the festival are Winchester Symphony Orchestra with their Young Soloists’ Competition.
The final event will be a gloriously colourful performance of Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde (Noah’s Flood) in association with the Hampshire Music Service in the Cathedral.
The 2016 Winchester Festival of the Arts is the 19th incarnation of the event.
Tickets for all the events will go on public sale on Tuesday May 3 from the box office on 01962 857 276 or winchester-cathedral.org.uk
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