Festival News – 20-10-2023

2024 Season Preview

See here for the announcement of the 2024 Festival season; further details will follow shortly.

Festival Manager

We are delighted to announce that Tracy Lees has taken up the job of Festival Manager. Tracy has taken over from Isabel Dawson, who stepped down from the role after five incredibly happy and rewarding years with the Festival. More details about Tracy are given here.

Isabel told us: “It’s been a joy to be part of such a welcoming, vibrant and committed organisation and a great privilege to work so closely alongside Julia, Qian and the whole committee – not to mention so many inspiring guest artists! And whilst very sad to be bringing my own time with the Festival to a close, I’m looking forward to seeing all the exciting plans for 2024 and beyond come to fruition over the coming months.”

Reprise of the 2023 Season

‘…this year seemed to hit new highs…’

‘I just love being so near to the artists that I can pick up their every expression and marvel at their technical skills…’

‘We love the world class international artists we have seen (especially in the magnificent Wisley gardens on a spring evening), as well as the upcoming artists, all on our doorstep, in our beautiful Surrey countryside…’

It’s been wonderful to receive so much positive feedback to our 2023 season. It seems that the combination of beautiful venues and varied performances really hit the spot this year!

We were delighted to welcome Tenebrae back to the festival for their powerfully moving Bach and MacMillan programme; Julian Bliss and his stunningly talented Quintet brought their irresistible brand of Hollywood jazz to Wisley; and the intimate and beautiful chamber performances at The Menuhin Hall by cellist Gary Hoffman and Wu Qian and the Sitkovetsky Trio were truly inspirational.

Alongside these great international artists, it was a huge pleasure to introduce our audience to some up and coming musicians, including an exquisite recital at West Horsley Place by guitarist Sasha Savaloni and the duo of Gus MacQuade (guitar) and Eleanor Grant (soprano/double bass), and a performance by some of the talented students of The Yehudi Menuhin School.

And we brought the festival to some of our younger music-lovers too with a visit by Sasha Savaloni to one of the schools we are so glad to work with in the context of the String Scheme – Boxgrove Primary.

Add to that a fascinating and dynamic pre-concert talk by musicologist and broadcaster Katy Hamilton – a collaboration with our friends at the East and West Surrey branches of The Arts Society – and two beautiful guided walks, and there you have it – an incredibly varied, joyful and unforgettable fortnight in the Surrey Hills!

We are profoundly grateful to all those who helped make this wonderful season possible, including our Friends, Individual and Corporate Sponsors, Advertisers and Volunteers.

Looking forward to seeing you next year to celebrate our 15th season!

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Sunday Listening Club in collaboration with BBC Radio Surrey continues – click here for playlists and programme links.

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