Perth Festival of the Arts has announced some of the artists who will perform at the 46th Festival, which will take place from the 15th to 27th May. There will be more announcements to come.
Nigel Kennedy will play his version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” at this year’s Opening Concert on Sunday 21st May in Perth Concert Hall. For over twenty-five years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world’s leading violin virtuosos and is, without doubt, one of the most important violinists Britain has ever produced. He is the best selling classical violinist of all time. Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with special guest Chris Difford return to the Festival on Friday 19th May and Martin Taylor and Alison Burns perform A Celebration of the life of Ella Fitzgerald on the 17th May. A Scottish triple bill of The Treacherous Orchestra, Rachel Sermanni and Adam Holmes and the Embers will surely be one of the highlights of this year’s event.
Classical music, as always, plays a big part in the event this year The Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra plays with Freddy Kempf. The programme includes Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 and Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition. English Touring Opera will stage a new full production of Puccini’s “Tosca” with elegant costumes, scenery and the 25 player ETO orchestra. World-class choir, Tenebrae come to the Festival for the first time with their programme of Russian Treasures. Other classical gems include Scottish Opera’s Pop-Up Opera Roadshow and Children’s Classic Concerts.‘Swinging at The Cotton Club’ is the action-packed show celebrating the music, dance, and songs of the Cotton Club – New York City’s legendary nightclub of the 1920s and ‘30s. The exciting dance and music of the Cotton Club is recreated by the fabulous The Lindy Hop Dance Company, the world’s premier jazz dance company and Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra featuring vocalist Marlene Hill and compere/vocalist Megs Etherington. This will be in the Concert Hall on Tuesday 23rd May.
There are many free events including the popular ArTay marquee, packed full of contemporary Scottish Art, daily lunchtime concerts by Perthshire Schools and by Perth Youth Orchestra and lots of local exhibitions. The Festival, founded in 1972, is one of Scotland’s oldest continuously running arts festivals. The Festival is a registered charity. Over the years it has grown from its classical and opera roots to embrace a wide range of art forms. Tickets will go on sale on the 27th March. Friends of the Festival can book from 20th March it only costs £10 everyone is welcome. Click here for more information on Perth Festival of the Arts.