Festival music for all tastes (From Stroud News and Journal)

Festival music for all tastes

FOR the next two weeks Cheltenham will be alive with the sound of music as the International Festival of Music comes to town.

Over the years the festival has built up an enviable reputation which attracts artists and punters alike from all over the world.

The festival begins on Friday and events continue for 17 days through to July 20 with performances at venues throughout the town.

The look and sound of this year's festival are influenced by the vibrant music of Debussy with top artists and ensembles performing his work.

The inspiring chamber music line-up will include the pairing of Haydn's op 33 quartets and Mozart's musical response written as an artistic challenge to his contemporary's innovation.

The music of Lennox Berkeley, father of the festival's artistic director Michael Berkeley, with be celebrated as the festival coincides with the centenary of the composer.

Jose Carreras of The Three Tenors fame will performing at a charity gala at Cheltenham Racecourse in aid of the town's Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy Fund (LINC) with opera star Bryn Terfel.

Stroud-based conductor Martyn Brabbins and the Salomon Orchestra will be taking on all nine of Beethoven's symphonies in a single day in a promenade-style Beethoven-athon.

As well as more than enough entertainment to sate the appetite of even the most demanding classical music lover there is plenty on offer for those of different tastes.

The @22h sessions, will showcase a varied programme of music at late-night venues all over the town, including African riffs from the Ensemble Bash and the electronic ambient music of Digitonality.

Full copies of the programme are available from outlets all over Cheltenham and tickets can be booked at the box office on 01242 227979.