Fressingfield: Ninth music festival opens tonight

Multi-instrumental baroque ensemble Badinage open the ninth Fressingfield Music Festival tonight.

They have performed extensively throughout the UK and across Europe over the last three decades Badinage and are widely broadcast on the BBC and Classic FM.

Adding to this much anticipated opening is world renowned baroque flautist Stephen Preston, who will be joining the ensemble. His expertise and fluidity in contemporary performance techniques plus his outstanding ability in historically informed performance make him a unique performer.

The programme of concertos by Vivaldi and some of his contemporaries will make for a truly unmissable concert.

Now fast approaching its 30th anniversary, Fressingfield Music Festival runs to Saturday, September 28.

Regarded as one of the best music events worldwide, it delivers an impressive line-up of quality classical and jazz performances.

Back by popular demand, inspiring concert pianist Meng Yang Pan performs mid-week and Friday sees the return of the lively Jazz Dynamos. Music by Byrd, Gibbons, Purcell, Holst and Britten forms part of the Dmitri Ensemble’s virtuoso choral programme of Lux Aeterna.

The festival closes with a concert by the Commonwealth Orchestra with music by Elgar, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Rameau and two world premières of pieces by Paul Carroll, his String Sinfonia and Second Violin Concerto.

Wednesday, September 25, is this year’s education day, providing a range of activities for school children including the chance to learn from concert pianist Yang Pan before they put some music into practice themselves.

Concerts start at 7.30pm with doors open from 6.45pm. All take place in the parish church of St Peter and St Paul in the centre of the village.

Tickets cost £12 in advance, £15 ot the door subject to availability. Call 01379 586459, visit via www.fressingfieldmusic.com or pop into Fressingfield Stores.