March means music in these parts – and the seasonal winds have once again blown the usual mix of high-class concerts and unique special events into the fabulous Barnes Music Festival.
Music and Literature is the theme for the 13th staging of this annual springtime celebration, which this year runs from March 15-30. Plenty of reasons, therefore, for culture lovers of every shade to tune in.
Britten, Mozart and Holst are all on the menu for the mouthwatering Opening Concert, courtesy of the internationally renowned Academy of St Martin in the Fields, with tenor Edward Lyon and rising young horn star Ben Goldscheider (see main panel), the festival’s first Artist in Residence (Sat March 15, 7.30pm, St Mary’s, Barnes).
If you can’t wait for that, check out the pre-festival event: conductor extraordinaire Sir Antonio Pappano in conversation with composer Roxanna Panufnik about his new book, My Life in Music (Thurs, March 13, 7.30 pm, St Mary’s, Barnes).
For a glimpse of the future, head to the final of Barnes Young Musician of the Year (Sun March 16, 12 noon – 2 pm, OSO Arts Centre). Ben Goldscheider is the adjudicator for this competitive encounter, the winner of which will be invited to perform at the festival’s Final Concert. Read our interview with him here.
Ben is back for his second festival performance two days later, playing with pianist Giuseppe Guarrera. The genre-spanning programme includes Beethoven’s Sonata for Horn and Piano op.17 and Roxanna Panufnik’s Sonnets Without Words (Tues March 18, 7.30 pm, All Saints, Putney).
Fans of historical romance will love Bridgerton in Barnes. Relive your favourite musical moments from the Netflix smash, as a gifted string ensemble reimagines the most exquisite melodies from the series by candlelight (Fri March 21, 8.30pm, St Mary’s).
Other highlights include the Harry Baker Jazz Trio, an Opera Gala by Opera Holland Park, pianist Pavel Kolesnikov and performances by Barnes Choir, Barnes Music Society, Barnes Community Choir and Barnes Concert Band. And don’t miss the chance to join in, as Hilary Campbell leads this year’s Come and Sing: Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas.
Oh, and Mrs Bennet requests the pleasure of your company at her Regency Tea Dance: Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom. Learn the liveliest dances and elegant ballroom etiquette of the period (Sat March 22, 3pm, Kitson Hall).
It all ends with the Festival Choral Evensong, featuring the choirs of St Mary’s & St Michael’s, Barnes (Sun March 30, 6pm, St Mary’s).
For full festival programme and booking info: barnesmusicfestival.com.
