2010 is shaping up to be a special year for Perth Festival of the Arts.
2010 is a special year for Perth Festival of the Arts. The Festival is participating in the celebrations for Perth 800, a year long programme of events in Perth & Kinross which celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King William the Lion of Scotland in 1210.
The Festival has now launched its 39th programme to be staged in Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and St John’s Kirk from the 19th to 30th May. The programme includes three orchestral concerts, three operas, rock concerts, jazz, comedy, drama, a Festival fling, children’s events and art exhibitions.
The Festival will stage a Gala Concert for Perth 800 on Friday 28th May in Perth Concert Hall featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the American soprano, Barbara Bonney conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Barbara Bonney is one of the world's most accomplished lyric sopranos. She now leads the field in her chosen repertory of roles by Mozart and Richard Strauss and is increasingly recognised as one of the finest lieder and concert performers of her generation.
Other classical highlights include The Brewin Dolphin Festival Concert which will close the Festival and this year will feature The Hallé Orchestra from Manchester with trumpeter Alison Balsom and conductor Edward Gardner on Sunday 30th May. Alison played at last year’s “Last Night of the Proms” and in 2009 became the first ever Briton to be crowned "Female Artist of the Year" at the Classical BRITs. Edward Gardner is the Music Director of English National Opera. The relationship with Brewin Dolphin is now in its sixth year and has enabled the Festival to bring world-class artists such as Bryn Terfel, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Nicola Benedetti, Lesley Garrett, Julian Lloyd Webber, Peter Donohoe and Tasmin Little to Perth.
In a new collaboration with HSBC bank, English Touring Opera stages three major operas at Perth Theatre – "Don Pasquale" by Donizetti, "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart and "A Midsummer Night's Dream” by Britten. This will be the first time the Festival has had three different operas on consecutive nights.
The concert by the BBC Singers will feature some works by local composer Robert Carver and will be broadcast live on Radio 3. The Moscow State Symphony Orchestra will play a programme of “Scheherazade” and “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”.
Don McLean, America's legendary singer-songwriter, will open the Festival on Wednesday 19th May. He has over 40 gold and platinum records worldwide and his impressive back-catalogue includes the instantly recognisable “And I Love You So”, “Vincent”, “Castles In The Air” and his cover of Roy Orbison's “Crying” (which reached no. 1 in the UK). However, he is perhaps best known for his 1971 no.1 smash “American Pie”. It was inspired by the death of Buddy Holly and a social critique on modern America.
Sharleen Spiteri, who is famous for fronting the multi-million selling UK pop rock band Texas with three multi-platinum albums and thirteen top ten hits, has also joined this year’s Perth Festival line-up. After one solo record she has just launched her second and this time she's thinking about movies – “The Movie Songbook”.
Other shows include
- Popular American stand up Rich Hall
- Festival favourites The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
- Kit & The Widow who return after a successful Edinburgh Fringe run this summer
- An Audience with Will Self
- An Audience with Gyles Brandreth
- Guy Masterson’s production of Animal Farm
- Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Tommy Smith, Brian Kellock and Tam White
- A Festival Fling with Tiree band Skerryvore
- Flanders and Swann at the Drop of a Hippopotamus
- Antiques expert Eric Knowles,
- Mr McFall's Chamber Tour and Michael Marra
and a beautiful drama called Martha by Catherine Wheels Theatre Company.
Over many years the Festival has supported young musicians from Perth who have decided to make their careers in music. This year it is the turn of trombone player Gordon Seith, who will give a recital in St John’s Kirk with the ensemble Pure Brass. There will also be two Coffee Concerts by The Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama. Perth Youth Orchestra will also play at this year’s Festival Service.
The Festival Art Exhibition at Perth Museum and Art Gallery will feature Andy Warhol’s early drawings, stitched photographs, prints and posters and the popular Art on the River stalls along Tay Street will be staged again by Perth City Centre Management on the weekend of 29th and 30th May.
Booking opens on Monday 29th March. Telephone lines 01738 621031 and online booking starts at 10am.More information at www.perthfestival.co.uk
