2 weeks Ago
THE Carducci Festival is returning to Highnam. The Gloucestershire-based Carducci String Quartet are hosting their own festival from Friday, May 16, to Sunday, May 18. Founded in 1997 by married couples Matthew and Emma Denton, and Michelle Fleming and Eoin Schmidt-Martin, the quartet is known for its performances at prestigious venues like London's Wigmore Hall and New York's Carnegie Hall.
The Carducci Festival was established in 2006, offering the quartet a chance to give back to their local community and collaborate on distinctive projects with their favourite guest artists. This year's festival offers a range of unique performances. On the Saturday, a new piece by composer Vincenzo Lamagna, known for his work with the Akram Khan Dance Company, will have its world premiere.
The composition, combining a string quartet with live electronics, will be performed at 7.30pm at Highnam Church. On the Sunday, a folk-inspired journey of airs and dances from around the world will be presented at the historic St Mary de Crypt Church in central Gloucester.
The performance, starting at 11am, will include coffee and homemade cake served beforehand. The festival will end with a programme of Shostakovich’s music and letters at 4.30pm on the Sunday.
This event will see the quartet collaborating with celebrated actor Anton Lesser, known for his roles in Game of Thrones, Wolf Hall and The Crown. The festival also features a range of free events, including a young composers showcase on the Friday at 6pm, Concordia Festival masterclasses on the Saturday from 10.30am and a Gloucestershire Young Musician Showcase on the Saturday at 1pm.
Tickets for the Carducci Festival at Highnam start at £18 and are free for anyone aged 26 or under. More information and tickets can be found at the Carducci Festival Highnam website..
