Brecon is a delightful town situated in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is a wonderful place to come and stay, particularly with the beautiful colours of autumn all around you – even without a stunning musical festival! The 2016 festival explores the music of Henry Purcell, his contemporaries and his musical context. As well as the concert programme there will be a rich programme of talks, guided walks (Monday morning / afternoon) and the Baroque Tea Dance. Their pop-up cafe this year (Saturday / Sunday) will be inspired by London’s Restoration coffee-houses.
Overview
We open on Friday 21 October with Purcell’s Fairy Queen (a nod to Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary), Robin Blaze joins Brecon Baroque on Saturday evening, and on Sunday 23 October Trinity Baroque thrill us with a celebration of Thomas Tallis including his mass ‘Puer Natus Est’. We are delighted to welcome the acclaimed young recorder player Tabea Debus for her Brecon Baroque debut, and the new Welsh Baroque ensemble Ystradivarius.
As well as the concert programme we have a rich programme of talks, a guided walk (Monday morning and afternoon) and dance events as well as the Festival’s pop-up cafe Will’s Coffee House (Saturday and Sunday).
We are also thrilled that the Brecon Baroque Fringe established last year by Gillian Ingham will be taking place again: please see their website for full details of events.
Programme
Stage direction by Thomas Guthrie, Musical direction by Julian Podger, Brecon Baroque directed by Rachel Podger, Trinity Baroque, Sarah Dowling (choreographer/dancer), Eleri Lloyd (designer).
Prepare for the afternoon Tea Dance with Dancing Master Peter Brock.
Pop-up performances plus delicious food and drink provided by The Hours. Open from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
J. C. Bach: brother and inspiration – chamber music by J. C. Bach, J. C. F. Bach and Mozart.
Period dance, including Jacob’s Hall Jig, tea and cakes with Dancing Master Peter Brock and a trio of musicians.
Songs and Fantasias from Byrd to Purcell.
Pop-up performances plus delicious food and drink provided by The Hours. Open from 10.30am to 5.00pm.
Continental Connections from J. S. Bach to Geminiani. Tabea Debus (recorder), Alexander Rolton (baroque cello), Tom Foster (harpsichord).
A festive celebration of Thomas Tallis with his mass ‘Puer Natus Est’ interspersed with motets and songs by Tallis and his peers.
Explore the archaeological heritage of Mynydd Illtud with Peter Brock.
Explore the archaeological heritage of Mynydd Illtud with Peter Brock.
Handel’s Water Music and Oboe Concerto plus music by Charles Avison and Purcell.
