More information on Bath Festivals
Bath International Music Festival Artistic Director Joanna MacGregor
Inaugurated in 1948, the Festival has an illustrious artistic history and has long been a well-established event of national significance and international reputation. It takes place annually over 17 days in late May/early June, presenting a range of high quality events including orchestral, chamber and contemporary classical music, contemporary jazz and world music and now exciting new electronica. The programme takes place mainly in city venues and also includes free-to-the-public outdoor events.
As far back as 1668, well before Bath became a fashionable destination, the city was attracting audiences for it music, with Queen Elizabeth I visiting in that year to hear the choristers from Wells perform at Bath Abbey. With a rich musical background that was firmly cemented by Beau Nash’s introduction of an Orchestra in Orange Grove in the early 1700’s, it seemed only natural that Bath should organise its own music festival, yet it was not until 1948 that a proposal to do so was made.
After initial success both culturally and financially the city took it upon itself to organise an annual event and since 1949 (with an exception of a few years) the Bath International Music Festival has been in existence. Over the last 60 years the Festival has been host to many internationally acclaimed artists and has showcased many spectacular events including the now famous collaboration between Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar.
For 17 days in May the city’s many venues come alive with the sounds of classical music, international jazz, world and contemporary music, and free-to-the-public events. 2006 saw the latest major development with the appointment of pianist Joanna MacGregor as Artistic Director. Her vibrancy and enthusiasm is re-shaping the festival and bringing new audiences to this long-standing institution. The introduction in 2006 of a new format to the Festival saw electronica in the programme for the first time and a return to cross-genre collaborations which included Brian Eno performing in Bath Abbey alongside Bath Camerata; 2007's highlights included the Paco Peña Company, violin virtuoso Maxim Vengerov and the legendary Charles Mingus Big Band from New York.
2008 celebrates Bath International Music Festival's 60th Anniversary and the programme is the biggest yet, presenting orchestral concerts, folk and roots, jazz and world music alongside new collaborations and installations, films, workshops and talks, family concerts and free events.
Bath Music Festival is presented by Bath Festivals, a registered charity number 801617.
Abbey Chambers
Kingston Buildings
Bath BA1 1NT
Tel: 01225 462231
fax: 01225 445551
info@bathfestivals.org.uk
Box Office
2 Church Street
Abbey Green
Bath BA1 1NL
boxoffice@bathfestivals.org.uk
