Britten Sinfonia
Thomas Gould leader
Wells Cathedral School Chamber Choir
City of Bristol Pipes and Drums
Joanna MacGregor piano/director
Arve Henriksen trumpet
Nigel Perrin choral conductor
James MacMillan The Gallant Weaver, A Child’s Prayer, After Virtue
Joanna MacGregor Lost Highway: Gospel and Blues from the Deep South
James MacMillan So Deep, Halie Speerit’s Dauncers Piano Concerto No.2
Sixty-six performers - Pipes and drums, the virtuoso strings of Britten Sinfonia, Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen and the brilliant young singers of Wells Chamber Choir, led by the Festival’s Artistic Director Joanna MacGregor, all celebrate Celtic music and Songs of Freedom – in this jazzy, joyful and folk-filled Opening Night Concert.
Bluesy trumpet-and-orchestra arrangements balance the gutsy brilliance of James MacMillan’s 2nd Piano Concerto, throbbing with Scottish reels and folksong. The choir join us with beautiful arrangements of Robert Burns songs – including O my love’s like a red, red rose – as well as MacMillan’s romping treatment of James McGonigal’s poem, Halie Speerit’s Dauncers.
We are very excited to announce that BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting live from Bath MusicFest's Opening Night Concert.
£28, £24, £18, £14, £10
(Concessions available)
B2
Arve Henriksen performing at Oslo Opera House:
A brief video about James MacMillan:
In true party-style, finish the night being put through your paces! The opening-night concert will be followed by a lively Céilidh with full bar in the Guildhall. Click here for more information.