Welcome to the 283rd Meeting of the Three Choirs of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester, to be held at Gloucester. No other music festival in the United Kingdom, and possibly the world, has a history or tradition that ranks anywhere near that of the Three Choirs. Few can boast concert venues of the beauty of our three great mediaeval cathedrals, or our customs of friendliness and hospitality.
English music inevitably (in this most English of festivals) forms the core of our programme. We are honouring many of the great English composers who were closely involved in many ways with the Festival. The week begins with a performance of Elgar’s “The Kingdom”, which the great man often conducted at Three Choirs. On Tuesday, Sir Roger Norrington will conduct a programme which begins with Vaughan Williams’s breathtakingly beautiful “Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis”, which was premiered here in Gloucester Cathedral exactly one hundred years ago. The programme also includes Elgar’s Violin Concerto – arguably his masterpiece – which received its first performance (in private) also at the Gloucester Festival of 1910, with Kreisler accompanied by Elgar. Two fascinating mixed programmes complete the English part of the main programme. On Friday there will be a choral-orchestral work by a former Chorister of Gloucester Cathedral, Ivor Gurney. “The Trumpet” will be followed by Elgar’s “Sea Pictures” and Finzi’s “Intimations of Immortality”, which was first heard at the Gloucester Festival of 1950. This wonderful, evocative work has to be heard in the famous acoustic for which it was intended.
Saturday night’s concert will have a festive feel! The energy of Elgar’s “Cockaigne” and the splendour of Parry’s famous “I was glad” (complete with the royal “vivats”), will stand alongside Holst’s mystical “Hymn of Jesus” and a revival of Parry’s unjustly neglected masterpiece “Ode on the Nativity”. Parry’s work has suffered in comparison with his near contemporary, Elgar; but this work should be heard and judged on its own merits - its melodic fluency, harmonic fertility and polished orchestration should commend it to all unprejudiced music lovers!
But the festival is not just about English music, or tradition. We are making two forays to Austria, for Mahler’s Second Symphony and Mozart’s monumental Mass in C minor; and two forays to Renaissance Italy for an experiment - an opera in a cathedral! - and a Three Cathedral Choirs concert of spectacular Venetian music.
One of the greatest living composers in the UK is John Joubert, who the Festival has been proud to appoint Composer in residence. The most important Festival commission for many years will receive its first performance on Monday, “An English Requiem”. This beautiful, haunting work will undoubtedly become a part of the standard repertoire in due course.
One significant event during the week will be the first concert of the newly-formed Festival Singers. This choir consists of younger singers from the three counties, who will perform a programme of Bach and Handel in the splendid Abbey at Tewkesbury. The Singers are the Festival’s future. Be present at the important occasion of their debut.
There is sadly no further space to introduce the many other exciting events: Jazz Psalms Sunday, the Chamber music, the recitals, the conducting masterclasses and so on; or indeed, to introduce the magnificent array of artists and orchestras, led by the internationally acclaimed Philharmonia Orchestra.
We are, however, confident that all who come to share in our week of glorious music-making and convivial socializing will leave Gloucester inspired and refreshed. All we need now is for the sun to shine!!!
Adrian Partington artistic director
FRIDAY 6 th AUGUST
1 JOHNNY COPPIN & PETER COMBE
in concert
7.30 pm Guildhall, Gloucester GL1 1NS
£14
Johnny Coppin Gloucestershire Singer/Songwriter
Peter Combe Australian Singer/Songwriter
Phil Beer Multiple Instruments
2 OPENING SERVICE
Two icons from opposite sides of the world come together in this special performance of evocative and romantic music to celebrate Gloucestershire poets; the Gloucestershire-born Johnny Coppin, with 18 albums to his name, and Peter Combe, the multi-talented Australianborn lover of Gloucestershire.
SATURDAY 7 th AUGUST
11.30 am Gloucester Cathedral
Festival commission kindly supported by the Rev’d Nick Fisher
Entrance by ticket only (free of charge)
Gloucester Cathedral Choir
Three Choirs Festival Chorus
Philharmonia Brass
Adrian Partington conductor
Ashley Grote organ
Elgar Civic March
Patterson Brussels Fanfare
Bliss Ceremonial Prelude
Elgar Ecce Sacerdos
Lili Boulanger Psalm 24
Vaughan Williams Te Deum in G
Joubert Jubilate (Festival Commission)
Leighton Let all the world
Karg Elert Chorale Prelude on ‘Nun danket alle Gott’
3 RETURN COACH TRAVEL
1.45 pm to Tewkesbury Abbey
£8
4 THE KING’S SINGERS
2.30 pm Tewkesbury Abbey
Kindly supported by Mr David Davies
Reserved A/£25 B/£20 Unreserved C/£10
“A ROSE OF SUCH VIRTUE”
Henryk Gorecki Totus tuus
Anon There is no rose of such virtue
Anon This day day dawes
Ivan Moody Rosa from ‘Canti della Rosa’ Lassus Regina coeli
Josquin des Pres O virgo prudentissima
Byrd Beata viscera Maria virginis
Moody Su Piantu ‘e Maria from ‘Canti della Rosa’
McCabe Lily-white rose
Arvo Part Bogoroditsye Dyevo
Geoffrey Poole Mary Modyr
Moody Non piangere per me from ‘Canti della Rosa’
Patricia van Ness My heart is a holy place
Gilbert & Sullivan Selection of songs
English Folksongs
One of the most sought-after and critically acclaimed vocal ensembles in the world, we are delighted to welcome back the King’s Singers.
5 THE PIPE AND TABOR
3.30 pm St Michael’s Tower, The Cross, Gloucester
£6
In association with Three Choirs Plus, an illustrated talk and performance on the history of England’s national instrument by the Taborers’ Society, who are holding their 11th International Festival during Festival week.
6 FESTIVAL RECEPTION
6 pm Festival Marquee, Old Palace Garden
£10
Join the Friends of Gloucester Three Choirs Festival for drinks and canapés, catch up with old friends and meet fellow choral enthusiasts!
7 THE KINGDOM
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
Three Choirs Festival Chorus
Philharmonia Orchestra
Adrian Partington conductor
Susan Gritton soprano
Pamela Helen Stephen mezzo soprano
Adrian Thompson tenor
Roderick Williams baritone
Elgar The Kingdom
Based on biblical texts and first performed at the Birmingham Festival in October 1906 conducted by Elgar himself, this choral epic is dedicated to AMDG (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam – to the greater glory of God).
Adrian Partington King’s Singers
SUNDAY 8 th AUGUST
FESTIVAL EUCHARIST
10.15 am Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral Choir
Adrian Partington conductor
Rubbra Missa Cantuariensis
Blatchly Motets
8 SUNDAY LUNCH
12.30 pm Festival Marquee, Old Palace Garden
£22.50
For those in need of sustenance and a full Sunday carvery, join us in the Festival Marquee.
9 CORELLI ENSEMBLE & EVELYN TUBB
2.30 pm St Mary de Lode
A/£18 B/£14 C/£10
Handel Trio Sonata in G minor Op 5/v
Hayes Ode to Echo
Arne Trio Sonata in A major Op 3/i
Hayes A Winter scene at Ross in Herefordshire
Handel Concerto in D minor Op 3/v
Hayes Concerto Grosso in D
Arne Morning Cantata
Evelyn Tubb, one of the world’s great early music specialist sopranos, will join the Corelli Ensemble in a programme that presents the vocal & instrumental colours of the 18th century while highlighting the music of Gloucester-born William Hayes.
CHORAL EVENSONG
5.30 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral Youth Choir
Ashley Grote conductor
Rubbra Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in Ab Finzi Lo the Full Final Sacrifice
10 MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 2
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
Three Choirs Festival Chorus
Philharmonia Orchestra
Jac van Steen conductor
Ailish Tynan soprano
Susan Bickley mezzo soprano
The ‘Resurrection Symphony’ was Mahler’s first major work that marked the beginning of what was to become his lifelong exploration of the beauty of the afterlife and resurrection.
11 TRIO MOLINO DEN HAAG
10.15 pm Gloucester Cathedral
£10 (unreserved)
Clare Fahy baroque violin
Barbara Post violone
Ralf Blasi chamber organ
John Coperario Suite in D minor
Godfrey Finger Sonata in C Op 5, No 10
William Lawes Sonata No 1 in G minor
George Frideric Handel Sonata in D minor HWV 359a Green Sleeves to a Ground from The Division Flute Faronell’s division on a ground from The Division Violin
Nicola Matteis Ground after the Scotch Humour
This Trio specializes in music from the Baroque era, particularly English, Italian and German instrumental music from the early period.
Corelli Ensemble (Tim Hamilton)
Trio Molino Den Haag
Ailish
Tynan (Sussie Ahlberg)
Susan Bickley (Samantha Ovens)
12 ILLUSTRATED TALK
10 am St. Nicholas Church
Westgate Street, Gloucester
£6
Edi Beo Thu Hevene Quene – one of the earliest known and recorded carols which has its roots in GloucesterGloucester’s Medieval Carol, presented by The Pipe & Tabor Society.
13 SOCIETY OUTING
10.15 am Three Choirs Vineyard
£40
Open to Society members only. This private tour of the Three Choirs Vineyard for a maximum of 20 people includes return coach travel from Gloucester, a 2-course lunch (with a paying bar) and the chance to taste 3 wines. Good walking shoes required.
14 ORGAN RECITAL
11 am Gloucester Cathedral
£10 (unreserved)
Ashley Grote Organ
Sanders Toccata
Joubert Passacaglia and Fugue Op 35
Briggs Variations on ‘Greensleeves’ (2004)
Schumann Studien für den Pedalflügel Op 56
Holst Three movements from The Planets (arr. Arthur Wills)
Brewer Marche Héroïque
Assistant Director of Music at Gloucester Cathedral, Ashley plays the organ for the Cathedral’s principal services and accompanies the Cathedral choir in their busy schedule of concerts, tours and broadcasts.
15 CHILDREN’S CONCERT
Peter Combe
11 am Guildhall, Gloucester GL1
Special price
£5 U5’s free
16 TRIO SEVERN
2.30 pm St Mary de Lode
A/£18 B/£14 C/£10
Marcus Barcham-Stevens violin
David Powell cello
Robert Markham piano
Schumann Piano Trio in D minor
Mendelssohn Piano Trio in C minor
17 FRIENDS’ GARDEN PARTY
4 pm Bishop’s Palace
£10
Hosted by the Friends of Gloucester Three Choirs Festival, this event is open to all.
CHORAL EVENSONG
5.30 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral Choir
Adrian Lucas conductor
Byrd Prevent us O Lord
Reading Responses
Parsons Great Service
Bach Singet dem Herrn
18 CHORAL CONCERT
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral Festival commission kindly supported by the Grimmitt Trust
A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
Three Choirs Festival Chorus
Philharmonia Orchestra
Adrian Partington conductor
Carolyn Sampson soprano
Neal Davies bass baritone
Brahms Academic Festival Overture
1NS
The original “King of the Kids” and the first Australian children’s pop star, Peter spent a year in Gloucestershire in 1986 performing in many local schools. You may well remember his wacky, humorous and interactive songs, ‘Spaghetti Bolognaise’, ‘Newspaper Mama’ and ‘Wash Your Face in Orange Juice’. Not to be missed, this entertainer has won 3 ARIAS, 7 Gold and 2 Platinum Albums and will have you laughing and singing all the way home.
Joubert An English Requiem (World première & Festival commission)
Beethoven Symphony No 5
COMPLINE
10.15 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Glevum Consort
James Atherton conductor
Cox Keep me as an apple
Byrd Nunc Dimittis from ‘Gradualia’
Sheppard Salvator mundi
John Joubert
Carolyn Sampson
19 PIPE AND TABOR WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS
10 am St Nicholas Church, Westgate Street, Gloucester.
£7
No experience necessary – instruments provided.
20 RETURN COACH TRAVEL
10.15 am to Highnam Church
£6
21 ST CECILIA SINGERS
11 am Church of the Holy Innocents, Highnam
Kindly supported by Mr & Mrs Tom Fenton
£15 (unreserved)
St Cecilia Singers
Ashley Grote conductor
Anthony Boden historian
Parry Songs of Farewell
Joined by the renowned Parry scholar, Anthony Boden, the choir will perform at Highnam where the composer himself grew up.
22
FESTIVAL SOCIETY LUNCH
12.30 pm Festival Marquee, Old Palace Garden
£22.50
David Whelton speaker
This lunch is open to Society members only. David Whelton is Managing Director of the Philharmonia Orchestra and has played a crucial role in supporting the Festival over the last decade.
23
RCO YOUNG ORGANIST RECITAL
1 pm St Peter’s Catholic Church, Gloucester GL1 3EX
£5 (unreserved)
The first in a series of 4 recitals by young organists selected by the Royal College of Organists following their final exams.
24 CHORAL MASTERCLASS
1.30 pm St Mary de Lode
£5 (unreserved)
‘How to conduct a Choir’ with Simon Carrington Musica Beata chamber choir
4 choral passages from Handel’s Messiah
The first of a series of 3 Masterclasses with 4 talented students from 4 top UK music colleges.
25 DANCE AND MUSIC
2 pm St Michael’s Tower, The Cross, Gloucester.
£10
A performance of Venetian Renaissance Dance and Music, presented by The Pipe & Tabor Society.
26
CHORAL MASTERCLASS SHOWCASE
3.45 pm St Mary de Lode
£2 (unreserved) or free to those who have attended the masterclass
Simon Carrington Musica Beata chamber choir
Your chance to hear the hard earned fruits of the students’ labours, in just 15 minutes!
27 VENETIAN SPLENDOUR
4.30 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Kindly supported by Joanna Brickell & Trading Edge Worldwide
A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
The Three Cathedral Choirs
His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts
Harry Bicket conductor
This vibrant concert will recreate the excitement, acoustic and atmosphere of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice in the late 16th/early 17th century with music by Andrea & Giovanni Gabrieli, Grillo and Monteverdi.
28 ORCHESTRAL CONCERT
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
A /£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
Philharmonia Orchestra
Sir Roger Norrington conductor Philippe Graffin violin
Vaughan Williams Tallis Fantasia
Holst St Paul’s Suite
Elgar Violin Concerto
Philippe Graffin’s individual style of playing and outstanding achievements have placed him among the finest of French violinists, while his charismatic and imaginative performances of mainstream and contemporary repertoire have been praised throughout the world by audiences and reviewers alike.
29 HARP DUO RECITAL
10.15 pm Gloucester Cathedral
£10 (unreserved)
Eluned Pierce harp Hugh Webb harp
Your chance to enjoy the breathtaking skill of the Philharmonia principal harp Hugh Webb and his equally accomplished colleague.
CHORAL MASTERCLASS
10 am St Mary de Lode
£5 (unreserved)
‘How to conduct a Choir’ with Simon Carrington Musica Beata chamber choir
4 renaissance motets by Byrd & Tallis Masterclass No 2 in the series of 3 masterclasses
31 SOCIETY OUTING
10.15 am Three Choirs Vineyard
£40
Open to Society members only. This private tour of the Three Choirs Vineyard for a maximum of 20 people includes return coach travel from Gloucester, a 2-course lunch (with a paying bar) and the chance to taste 3 wines. Good walking shoes required.
32 CHILDREN’S CONCERT
with Philippe Graffin
11 am The Guildhall, Gloucester GL1 1NS
£8 (Under 16’s £5) All seats unreserved
Philippe Graffin violin
Polly Ives narrator
Marisa Gupta piano
Alan Ridout Ferdinand the Bull Philippe Graffin The Hidden Fairy
To include musical excerpts from: Mozart Sonata KV 304 in E minor Tartini Variations on a theme by Corelli Paganini Le Streghe
Dohnanyi Ruralia Hungarica Op 32c Kreisler March miniature Viennoise Ravel Tzigane
Join eminent violinist Philippe Graffin and friends as they discover the secret genie of the violin as it unlocks the mysteries of this most beautiful of instruments, sweeping between devilish virtuosity, soulful songs and gypsy dances.
33 CHORAL MASTERCLASS SHOWCASE
12.15 pm St Mary de Lode
£2 (unreserved) or free to those who have attended the masterclass
Simon Carrington
Musica Beata chamber choir
Your chance to hear the result of the morning’s masterclass, in just 15 minutes!
34 SANDERS’ SOCIETY LUNCH
12.30 pm Festival Marquee, Old Palace Garden
£ 23
Edward Gardner speaker
Open to all and a chance to hear Edward, a rising star on the conducting stage and a chorister under John Sanders.
35 RCO YOUNG ORGANIST RECITAL
1 pm St Peter’s Catholic Church, Gloucester GL1 3EX
£5 (unreserved)
The 2nd in the series of 4 recitals by young organists selected by the Royal College of Organists following their final exams.
36
RETURN COACH TRAVEL
1.45 pm to Painswick
£8
Wednesday schedule continues overleaf...
Simon Carrington
Philippe Graffin (Ben Ealovega)
Sir Roger Norrington
Harry Bicket
His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts
37 MUSIC AND SONG
2 pm St Nicholas Church, Westgate Street, Gloucester.
£10
‘Miri It Is’. A concert of medieval music and song, presented by The Pipe & Tabor Society.
38 DANTE QUARTET
with Andrew Kennedy
2.30 pm St Mary’s Church, Painswick
Kindly supported by Dr & Mrs H J Hoyland and Mr & Mrs John Holroyd
A/£18 B/£14 (All seats unreserved)
Krysia Osostowicz violin
Giles Francis violin
Judith Busbridge viola
Bernard Gregor-Smith cello
Andrew Kennedy tenor
Vaughan Williams Along the Field
Gurney Adagio from String Quartet in A minor
Venables Two songs
Vaughan Williams Quartet No 2
Venables Invite, to Eternity
CHORAL EVENSONG,
BBC Broadcast
4 pm Gloucester Cathedral
(No ticket required)
The Three Cathedral Choirs
Ashley Grote organ
Adrian Partington conductor
Graham Ross I Sing of a maiden
Joubert Responses
Leighton Collegium Magdalenae Oxoniense
Walton The Twelve
This service will be broadcast live by BBC Radio 3
39 THE TEMPEST Festival Players
5 pm Old Palace Garden
£14 (U16’s £10.50) All seats unreserved
‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on ...’ (Act IV, Scene I). Now in their 25th year, the Festival Players are renowned for their open-air performances of Shakespeare.
40 AN EVENING OF MOZART
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Kindly supported by the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
Three Choirs Festival Chorus
Music for Awhile Orchestra
Geraint Bowen conductor
Claire Wild soprano
Heather Shipp mezzo soprano
Pascal Charbonneau tenor
Matthew Hargreaves bass
Mozart Symphony No 38 (Prague)
Mozart Mass in C minor
Last performed at the Festival in Hereford in 1991, the ‘Grosse Messe in C moll’ is one of Mozart’s major popular works. A real treat!
Andrew Kennedy
Charbonneau
Hargreaves
Shipp
Visiting the Cotswolds this Summer?
Conveniently located to the South of Cheltenham town centre with easy access to Gloucester, stay at the award winning Beaumont House. Just 15 minutes walk from the fashionable Montpellier restaurants and boutiques.
All rooms feature ‘posture friendly’ Hypnos beds, well appointed modern ensuite bathrooms, some with whirlpool. Free wired and wireless broadband access, satellite television with Sky Sports, in room safe, hairdryer and hospitality tray and delicious freshly cooked breakfast each morning.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR 3 CHOIRS FESTIVAL
Stay with us for 7 nights during July and August 2010 and receive 15% discount off your accommodation rate. Book directly at least 10 days in advance when full payment must be made. Terms and conditions apply. Visit our website or telephone for full details.
Festival Prize Draw
Ticket Price
£5
Prize 1 2 tickets to Glyndebourne Opera in 2011 (opera yet to be announced)
Prize 2 2 tickets to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in 2011 to a production of your choice
Prize 3 2 tickets to one of 12 Philharmonia concerts of your choice between October & December 2010
Prize 4 2 tickets to attend a CBSO concert of your choice at the Birmingham Symphony Hall during the Spring/Summer 2011 season
The draw will take place on Saturday 14th August at the evening concert in Gloucester Cathedral
The Festival would like to express its thanks to the Philharmonia Orchestra, Glyndebourne Opera, the CBSO and the Shakespeare’s Globe for their generosity in donating prizes
Tickets can be purchased through the Booking Form (see ‘Totals’ section), at all retail points during Festival week or online (www.3choirs.org) until 10pm on Friday 13th August
Registered under the Gambling Act 2005 Gloucester City Council Reg No FO47990
Promoter: Three Choirs Festival Association, 7C College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX
Special Festival Rates
Proud sponsors of the Three Choirs Festival
As proud sponsors of the Three Choirs Festival, we’d like to say, thank you for the music and offer visitors special rates when attending the festival.
Set in 11 acres of glorious parkland yet only three miles from the centre of Gloucester and the fabulous setting of Gloucester Cathedral, home of this year’s Three Choirs Festival, this classically styled Grade II listed Regency mansion is the perfect place to stay during the festival. We are delighted to be accommodating some of this year’s leading visiting artists.
Impossibly beautiful, remarkably good, the Bowden Hall is like a jewel set at the gateway to the Cotswolds. You can explore Upton St Leonards, step back in time at Painswick Rococo garden or clamber up the many rambling tracks in the nearby spectacular escarpments. A visit to Gloucester Docks and The Quays would also prove interesting.
Back at the hotel, relax in the indoor heated Seb Coe pool and health club or stroll andadmire the 200 year old arboretum and the herb garden, then dine in Dearmans restaurant named after Major Dearman of the Gloucester Hussars regiment.
For bookings please call 08448 159077 option 2 quoting BH3C and speak with Becky E mail sales.gloucester@ramadajarvis.co.uk www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/bowdenhall
41 CHORAL MASTERCLASS
10 am St Mary de Lode
£5 (unreserved)
‘How to conduct a Choir’ with Simon Carrington Musica Beata chamber choir 4 motets by Poulenc
Masterclass No 3 in the series of 3 masterclasses.
42 PIPE AND TABOR WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS
10 am St Nicholas Church, Westgate Street, Gloucester.
£7
No experience necessary – instruments provided.
43 ONE-WAY COACH TRAVEL
10.15 am to Cheltenham
£4
With 2 concerts today in Cheltenham, we are selling oneway tickets only, so that you can choose to book on either of the return buses on offer (see Nos. 46 & 52).
44 ORLANDO CONSORT
11 am Cheltenham College Chapel
A/£18 B/£14 C/£12 (All seats unreserved)
NB some ‘B’ seats are on the balcony, accessed via spiral staircase of 25 steps. Please circle area required on the booking form (ie ground or balcony).
Matthew Venner counter tenor Angus Smith tenor Mark Dobell tenor Donald Greig bass
‘The Call of the Phoenix’ Rare and exquisite motets from 15th-century England; glorious sacred music by the forebears of the great Tudor composers, including Dunstaple, Plummer, Frye, Lambe.
45 CHORAL MASTERCLASS SHOWCASE
12.15 pm St Mary de Lode
£2 (unreserved) or free to those who have attended the masterclass
Simon Carrington Musica Beata chamber choir
Your chance to hear the results of the earlier masterclass in just 15 minutes!
46 ONE-WAY COACH TRAVEL
From Cheltenham to Gloucester, leaving at the end of the Orlando Consort concert.
£4
47 RCO YOUNG ORGANIST RECITAL
1 pm St Peter’s Catholic Church, Gloucester GL1 3EX
£5 (unreserved)
The 3rd in the series of 4 recitals by young organists selected by the Royal College of Organists following their final exams.
48 GURNEY SOCIETY LUNCH
12.15 pm Cheltenham Town Hall
£20
All festival goers are welcome to attend this 2 course buffet lunch with coffee.
49 WULSTAN ATKINS MEMORIAL TALK
Ian Venables
1.30 pm Cheltenham Town Hall
Kindly supported by Robert Atkins and Katharine O’Carroll
A ticketed event but free of charge (unreserved)
‘To make musical history for England, and out of Gloster Stuff’. A talk on the orchestral music of Ivor Gurney.
50 ONE-WAY COACH TRAVEL
1.45 pm to Cheltenham
£4
51 ORCHESTRAL CONCERT
2.30 pm Cheltenham Town Hall
A/£32 B/£26 C/£18 D/£12 E/£5
Philharmonia Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins conductor Mark Bebbington piano
Gurney A Gloucestershire Rhapsody
Schumann Piano Concerto Mendelssohn Symphony No 3 (Scottish Symphony)
52 ONE-WAY COACH TRAVEL
One of the earliest works recognized as an ‘opera’, this will be a semi-staged performance of Jonathan Miller’s production, toured worldwide in 2007 by the New London Consort to great acclaim. THURSDAY 12 th
4.30 pm from Cheltenham to Gloucester
£4
53 THE TEMPEST, Festival Players
5 pm Old Palace Garden
£14 (U16’s £10.50) All seats unreserved
This will be the 2nd open-air performance by the renowned Festival Players of Shakespeare’s comedy.
54 ORFEO
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
New London Consort Philip Pickett conductor Monteverdi Orfeo
55 THE TEMPEST, Festival Players
10.30 am Old Palace Garden
£14 (U16’s £10.50) All seats unreserved
This will be the 3rd open-air performance by the renowned Festival Players of Shakespeare’s comedy.
56 ELGAR SOCIETY EVENT
10.30 am Guildhall, Gloucester GL1 1NS
£12 (U16’s £6) All seats unreserved
How Elgar became ‘Elgar’ Roderick Swanston speaker
This talk, illustrated with music and visuals, looks at the emergence of Elgar’s individual musical style in the late 19th century. The event is run by the Great Western Branch of the Elgar Society and is open to all.
57 ORGAN RECITAL Simon Preston
11 am Gloucester Cathedral
£14 (unreserved)
Mendelssohn Overture to St. Paul (arr. W.T. Best)
Schumann 6 fugues on B.A.C.H
The Brothers Gershwin (arr. Howard Cable) Jongen Sonata Eroica
Simon Preston is not only one of the great organists of our generation, but also one of the most illustrious musicians in the history of English Cathedral Music.
58 ELGAR SOCIETY LUNCH
12.30 pm Festival Marquee
£20
Promoted by the Great Western Branch of the Elgar Society, all festival goers are welcome to this lunch.
59 RETURN COACH TRAVEL
1.45 pm to Tewkesbury Abbey
£8
60 TCF YOUTH CHOIR DEBUT CONCERT
2.30 pm Tewkesbury Abbey
Kindly supported by Mr & Mrs John Lawrence Reserved A/£25 B/£20 Unreserved C/£10 (U16 A/£20 B/£16 Unreserved C/£7.50)
Handel Zadok the Priest
Handel Water Music (Suite No 2 in D)
Handel My Heart is Inditing
Bach Magnificat
The TCF Singers project has been kindly supported by the Derek Butler Trust, the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, the Rowlands Trust and the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire.
61 TALK Donald Hunt
4 pm Parliament Room, Gloucester Cathedral
A ticketed event but free of charge (unreserved)
In aid of the Church Music Society, Donald will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Sebastian Wesley.
WESLEY ANNIVERSARY CHORAL EVENSONG
5.30 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral Choir
Geraint Bowen conductor
Wesley Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in E
Wesley O Give Thanks
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of SS Wesley.
62 CHORAL CONCERT
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Kindly supported by Mr Bernard Day A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
Three Choirs Festival Chorus
Phillharmonia Orchestra
Adrian Lucas conductor
Sarah Connolly mezzo soprano
James Gilchrist tenor
Gurney The Trumpet
Elgar Sea Pictures
Finzi Intimations of Immortality
63 LATE NIGHT CONCERT
‘Rhythm & Muse’
10.15 pm St Mary de Lode
Peter Wyton Poet
Rick Payne Acoustic Blues Guitar
Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir
Corelli Orchestra
Adrian Partington conductor
Ruby Hughes soprano
Pippa Goss soprano
Katherine Allen mezzo soprano
Sean Clayton tenor
Samuel Evans bass
Pippa Goss
Samuel Evans
Katherine Allen (Benjamin Harte)
Sarah Connolly
SATURDAY 14 th AUGUST
64 VOCAL RECITAL Roderick Williams
11 am St Mary de Lode
Kindly supported by Mr & Mrs Colin Eddy and Mr & Mrs Martin
Lee-Browne
A/£18 B/£14 C/£10
Roderick Williams baritone
Susie Allan piano
Finzi To a Poet
Ernest John Moeran Seven Poems of James Joyce
Gurney Dinny Hill - The Sea is full of wandering foamDown by the Salley Gardens - Praise of Ale
Ian Venables New Commission
George Butterworth Folk Songs from Sussex
65 WORKSHOPS
12 noon – 4 pm St Nicholas Church, Westgate Street, Gloucester.
£10
Workshops for pipe and tabor, Fujara, mixed ensemble playing and Morris Dancing.
66 FINZI FRIENDS’ LUNCH
12.30 pm Festival Marquee
£19.50
Stephen Varcoe speaker
Open to all Festival goers.
67 RCO YOUNG ORGANIST RECITAL
1 pm St Peter’s Catholic Church, Gloucester GL1 3EX
£5 (unreserved)
The final concert in the series of 4 recitals by young organists selected by the Royal College of Organists following their final exams.
68 RETURN COACH TRAVEL
2.15 pm To Cheltenham
£8
69 A SEVERN RHAPSODY
3.00 pm Princess Hall, The Cheltenham Ladies’ College
A/£18 B/£15 C/£12 (All seats unreserved)
English String Orchestra
Conducted from the violin by Michael Bochmann
Warlock Capriol Suite Finzi Romance
Ireland Minuet Britten Simple Symphony
Joubert Temps Perdu Grainger Molly on the Shore
Elgar Serenade
70 TABORERS’ CONCERT
4.30 pm St Nicholas Church, Westgate Street, Gloucester.
£12
This concert features Slovakian Fujara and Festival Taborers.
CHORAL EVENSONG
5.30 pm Gloucester Cathedral
The Three Cathedral Choirs
Ashley Grote organ
Geraint Bowen & Adrian Lucas conductors
Elgar Ave Maria Sumsion Responses
Finzi Magnificat
Howells Nunc Dimittis
Tavener A Hymn to the Mother of God
71 CHORAL CONCERT
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
Kindly supported by the Lincoln Community Fund
A/£38 B/£33 C/£25 D/£16 E/£9
Three Choirs Festival Chorus
Philharmonia Orchestra
Adrian Partington conductor
Amanda Roocroft soprano
Elgar Cockaigne
Parry Ode on the Nativity
Holst Hymn of Jesus
Butterworth Banks of Green Willow
Parry I was Glad
SUNDAY 15 th AUGUST
72 JAZZ PSALM SUNDAY
7.45 pm Gloucester Cathedral
We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the PRS for Music Foundation for the festival commission
Centre Nave /£7.50 Side Aisles /£5
(All seats unreserved)
Choirs from across the community
London Jazz Chamber Ensemble
Scott Stroman conductor
Programme to include:
A Selection of Gospel-style songs
Scott Stroman Jazz Psalms (festival commission)
As with our community event in 2007, this concert will provide an opportunity for anyone from the wider singing community to join together for a performance.
Amanda Roocroft
Booking: Terms & Conditions and Other Information
Please read carefully before completing the booking form, and pay particular attention to the “How to Pay” section.
1.Ticket Booking Information
Postal Booking
Three Choirs Festival Society members have priority booking from 30 March until 20 April. On 21 April, Society priority ends and all postal bookings will be dealt with in strict order of receipt. Completed booking applications should be sent to:
Three Choirs Festival Ticket Office 7c College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX
Online Booking: www.3choirs.org
Online booking opens on Friday 23 April. To book online, please follow the links from our web site, which uses a secure payment facility.
Telephone Booking: 0845 652 1823
Telephone booking opens on Tuesday 1 June and will be available during the following hours: Monday – Friday 10.15 am – 1.30 pm
On Saturday 31 July telephone bookings may also be made between 10.30 am & 1pm.
Please note that all telephone bookings must be paid for by credit or debit card at the time of booking.
Booking in Person at the Festival Ticket Office
Bookings may be made in person from Wednesday 28 July at the Festival Ticket Office, which will be located at: Wardle House, College Green, Gloucester (Adjacent to the Cathedral). Please note that this is not the Festival Ticket Office’s postal address, for which see above.
The Festival Ticket Office will be open during the following hours:
Monday– Friday 10 am – 4 pm Saturday 10.30 am – 1 pm
During the week of the festival, 7 –14 August, the Festival Ticket Office will be open 10 am – 7.30 pm daily. On Saturday 7 August it will open from 9.30 am – 7.30 pm
Tickets are sold subject to the festival’s right to make any alterations to the artists, programme or any other advertised arrangements.
All tickets and discounts are subject to availability. Tickets cannot be refunded except on cancellation of an event by the Three Choirs Festival committee, or substantial alteration to the programme. All sales are final. If, unfortunately, you are unable to attend a concert, the donation of your ticket would be gratefully received.
2. Three Choirs Festival Society
Benefits of Society membership:
• Priority booking 3 weeks prior to the general public
• Member’s name printed in the programme book
• Membership card
• Free membership of the Festival Club
• Admission to rehearsals
• 2 newsletters per year
• Invitation to Society only events
If you wish to become a Society member, please download a Society Membership form from our website or write to: Janet McEwen, The Society Administrator, Three Choirs Festival Office, 7c College Green, Gloucester. GL1 2LX or email: society@3choirs.org
3. Seating zones for Cathedral Concerts
There will be five price categories for seats at Cathedral Concerts in Gloucester this year, as follows:
Reserved Seating
Zone A Centre nave (Flat and raked seating)
Zone B Front row nave plus a small number of slightly restricted view seats towards the rear of the rake and some loose seating between nave pillars.
(Slightly restricted view)
Zone C Side Aisles restricted view, with TV monitors
Zone D Rear of North Aisle no view but TV monitor
Unreserved Seating
Zone E South Transept and Ambulatory which have no view but TV monitor, Quire & Presbytery no view no TV monitor
4. Stewardships (season tickets)
Concerts included in the Stewardship are marked with a red star. Stewardship holders are entitled to the following benefits:
• Overall discounted ticket price
• A reserved seat for each of the concerts marked ★ on the ‘Single Events booking form’
• Free admission to rehearsals in the cathedral
• The holder’s name printed in the programme book
Please ensure that with an application for multiple Stewardships, all the names are listed on the ‘Application for Stewardships’ section of the booking form.
Stewardships will be allocated in the strict order in which they are received, up to the maximum number available. Every effort is made to allocate the same seats to Stewardship holders for each concert, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Extra tickets over and above those included in the Stewardship should be ordered on the ‘Single Events booking form’, but please note that seating adjacent to the Stewardship seat cannot be guaranteed. Tickets for the opening service should be ordered on the ‘Single Events booking form’.
Stewardship prices
Zone A Stewardship £355
Zone B Stewardship £307
Zone C Stewardship £231
Student Stewardship (Zone C) £100 (A limited number of these are available to bona fide music students. Proof of identity and music student status must be included with the application.)
Half Stewardships
A first-half Stewardship will run from Saturday 7 to Tuesday 10 August, and include Events 7,10,18, 27 & 28.
A second-half Stewardship will run from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 August, and include Events 40, 51, 54, 62 & 71.
Booking: Terms & Conditions and Other Information
Zone A 1st Half Stewardship £181
2nd Half Stewardship £176
Zone B 1st Half Stewardship £157
2nd Half Stewardship £151
Zone C 1st Half Stewardship £120
2nd Half Stewardship £114
5. How to pay
• By cheque payable to ‘Gloucester Three Choirs Festival’ and crossed ‘Account Payee only’. Please do not write the value on the cheque but write across the top: ‘Not more than £x’, x being the total cost of the tickets for which you have applied, plus booking fee, etc. Please overestimate this amount, to allow for the eventuality that we may allocate you a higher price of ticket should your requested ticket zone be sold out (please tick the box to indicate whether you will accept a different category of tickets if your chosen seats are not available). We will complete the cheque with the correct amount when the tickets you have requested (or alternatives) have been allocated.
• By credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Delta and Maestro only. Please be ready to show your credit card if you collect your tickets in person. Remember to print in block letters the cardholder’s name and initials and check that the address given is that of the cardholder and known to the bank issuing the credit card. Payments will not be processed until tickets have been allocated.
• Cash payment is not accepted for postal bookings.
• Overseas bookings. Please arrange for payment either by credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Switch/Delta/Maestro) or by Banker’s Draft in Sterling. You will be advised by e-mail of ticket allocations (please ensure you fill in your e-mail address on the form) but, for safety, tickets will be kept at the Festival Ticket Office for collection upon your arrival in Gloucester.
6. Dispatch of tickets
Tickets (excluding those for overseas), will be sent out from early – mid May. Please check your tickets as soon as they arrive. For those people who have access to the internet, a detailed seating plan is available on our website (www.3choirs.org). Should any alterations prove necessary, please notify the Festival Ticket Office within 14 days of receipt. Tickets ordered after Friday 30th July will not be posted, but held in the Ticket Office for collection.
Please note that tickets for overseas visitors should be collected from the Ticket Office upon arrival in Gloucester. Please ensure that tickets are picked up by 7.15 pm on the evening of the concert. Any tickets not collected by then will be held at the South Porch.
7 Programme Book
An attractive illustrated programme book containing full concert details, texts, programme notes, articles, photographs and additional information can be pre-ordered at a cost of £8, when booking your tickets. It will be available for collection on your arrival in Gloucester. However, should you wish to have it posted, to a UK address only, the cost will be £11. Please tick the appropriate box in the ‘Totals’ section of the form. It will be sent in mid July. A limited number of programme books will be available for sale during Festival week, but you are advised to pre-order to avoid disappointment.
8 Other Important Information
Conditions of sale
• Three Choirs Festival reserves the right to refuse admission of the ticket holder to all Festival Concert premises
• Late comers will only be admitted at a suitable break in the performance
• Photography and the use of any video or audio recording equipment is forbidden
• Tickets are sold subject to the festival’s right to make any alterations to the artists, programme or any other advertised arrangements
• All tickets and discounts are subject to availability
• Tickets cannot be refunded except on cancellation of an event by the Three Choirs Festival committee, or substantial alteration to the programme
Choice of seats
Gloucester Cathedral provides a glorious setting for festival performances, but it is not a concert hall. Sound is generally good, but vision is restricted in some areas. TV Relay is provided in most areas. Please ensure that you have completed the ‘Your preferences’ section of the booking form to enable us to offer suitable alternative seating if all the tickets in your requested zone have been sold.
Disabled visitors
We welcome disabled visitors to the festival and will be happy to help with special needs. A separate fact sheet is available on request from the Ticket Office, giving details of access to all venues. The cathedral has the added facility of an audio loop for services, but it is not used for concerts. It will help us to help you if, when booking your tickets, you indicate the nature of your disability and any special requirements you may have, in particular whether you need a wheelchair space for concerts. Specific wheelchair seats are available in blocks A, B and C. Wheelchairs can also be accommodated in the unreserved area of the South Transept. A limited number of car parking spaces may be available for disabled drivers. Please ensure that you contact the local secretary for a car parking permit: these will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Gloucester Shopmobility is a free loan scheme that provides mobility aids (scooters, manual and powered wheelchairs) to help people who have limited mobility, whether through disability, age or accident, to shop, use and enjoy the facilities of Gloucester City Centre.
The Shopmobility Centre is located at Number 1, Hampden Way, Gloucester GL1 1SX and is open 9 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Saturday inclusive. Tel 01452 302871
NB All mobility aids must be returned by 4.30 pm on the day they are loaned out, except wheelchairs which may be kept overnight on payment of a £20.00 deposit.
A satellite Shopmobility office is located at Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet Centre, St Ann Way, Gloucester, GL1 5SH. Tel 01452 501839. Open 7 days per week, 11 am – 4 pm. www.gloucester.gov.uk/VisitGloucester/Shopping/ Shopmobility/shopmobility.aspx
Accommodation
Please write to Ms A Walker, Three Choirs Festival Office, 7C College Green, Gloucester.GL1 2LX enclosing a large (size C4) SAE with stamps to the value of 81p Alternatively
Booking: Terms & Conditions and Other Information
look at our website (www.3choirs.org) follow the link to Gloucester 2010 and click on Accommodation where you will find a large list of accommodation possibilities. Please note that accommodation arrangements are made between the customer and the owner of the accommodation. The Three Choirs Festival accepts no responsibility for the accommodation listed
Please note that neither the Festival Office nor the Ticket Office is able to advise on accommodation matters.
The Gloucester Tourist Information Office provides an accommodation booking service. They can be contacted on 01452 396572 or email tourism@gloucester.gov.uk or book online at www.visitgloucester.info
Coach transport
Coach transport is available to the following venues and should be purchased with your concert tickets: Tewkesbury Abbey (Event 4 & 60), Highnam Church (event 21), Painswick Church (Event 38), Cheltenham (Events 44, 48, 49, 51 & 69). All journeys are return except for those to Cheltenham on Thursday, when you should choose your outward and return journeys separately. This is to cater for those people who may wish to spend time in Cheltenham either before the afternoon events or after the morning concert, or attend both concerts. You will see that the single event booking form on Thursday shows only one way coach journeys – you should therefore book one in each direction.
All coaches leave Gloucester from Priory Road. Your coach ticket will give departure times.
Car parking
There are no facilities for car parking within the Cathedral Close or the grounds of The Kings School, or at any of the outside venues, except Highnam Church. The Ticket Office can send out information about public car park facilities in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, if requested, but The Three Choirs Festival has no responsibility for those parking facilities or for the security of vehicles or contents.
Cathedral rehearsals
Admission is restricted to Stewards, Society members and those holding a rehearsal pass, strictly at the discretion of festival officials. Passes are available from the Ticket Office for children under 16, senior citizens and bona fide music students only. A rehearsal schedule will be available from the Ticket Office during festival week. No photography or recording is permitted.
Opening Service
Admission to the Opening Service is free, but by ticket only. Please apply using the Single Events booking form. Please note that the opening service is not part of the Stewardship package.
Festival Club
The Festival Club will be open in the Kings School as somewhere to relax and as a meeting place for visitors and performers. The club will provide light refreshments, bar, meals and information. There is a membership charge of £1 per day or £7 for the whole week (Saturday –Saturday incl). Entrance is free to Stewardship holders and Society members subject to proof of status. The festival club will not offer a ticket resale facility this year.
Supporters
At the time of going to press, we acknowledge with thanks the generous support of the following:
Arts Council England
Gloucester City Council
Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire Community Foundation
Three Choirs Festival Society
Friends of Gloucester Three Choirs Festival
CHK Charities Limited
The Delius Trust
The Dent-Brocklehurst Family Charitable Trust
The Derek Butler Trust
The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
The Elgar Society
The Finzi Trust
The Geoff & Fiona Squire Foundation
The Golsoncott Foundation
The Grimmitt Trust
The Helena Oldacre Trust
The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust
Limoges Trust
Lincoln Community Fund
PRS for Music Foundation
The Rowlands Trust
The Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust
Ballard Dale Syree Watson LLP
Bishopwood Financial Services
Bowden Hall Hotel
Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
Gabbs Solicitors
The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire
Trading Edge Worldwide
Mr Robert Atkins
Mrs Richard Belloc-Lowndes
Mrs Joanna Brickell
Mrs Anne Cadbury
Mr Roger Cadbury
Mr David Davies
Mr Bernard Day
Mrs Angela Day
Mr & Mrs Colin Eddy
Colin Eddy - Festival Secretary
Mr & Mrs Tom Fenton
Rev’d Nick Fisher
Mr & Mrs Peter Hillier
Mr & Mrs John Holroyd
Dr & Mrs Jim Hoyland
Mr & Mrs John Lawrence
Mr & Mrs Martin Lee-Browne
Sir Nigel & Lady Nicholls
Katharine O’Carroll
Three Choirs Festival Office, 7c College Green, Gloucester. GL1 2LX
Promoted by the Three Choirs Festival Association Ltd
7c College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX
Registered Charity No 204609
Data Protection
The festival maintains an electronic database of contact details and ticket information relating to its patrons. This information will not be shared without consent. This practice is within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act (1998).
Booking forms
Please read the Booking Terms and Conditions carefully before booking
To: Three Choirs Festival Ticket Office, Computer ref. 7c College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX
From: Title Initials Last Name
Postal address
Postcode
Email address
Day time telephone (in case of query)
Data Protection Act. This information is required for administration purposes & may be used to send you information about future TCF events.
Please tick to indicate how we may contact you email Telephone Post
If you are happy for us to share your data with other similar organisations please tick here
Zone A Full Stewardship
Zone A 1st Half Stewardship
Zone A 2nd Half Stewardship
Zone B Full Stewardship
Zone B 1st Half Stewardship
Zone B 2nd Half Stewardship
Zone C Full Stewardship
Zone C 1st Half Stewardship
Zone C 2nd Half Stewardship
Zone C Student Stewardship
£355
£181
£176
£307
£157
£151
£231
£120
£114
£100
Please apply for tickets for the Opening Service using the Single Events booking Form overleaf. NB Applicants for Student Stewardships must enclose proof of identity and music student status with their application
Please give the names of all those applying for Stewardships for inclusion in the programme book.
Tickets cannot be refunded except on cancellation or substantial alteration of the performance. All sales are final.
Booking forms
Please acknowledge receipt of my order (SAE enclosed)
I will accept other available tickets
I am not prepared to accept tickets other than those I have applied for I need a wheelchair space
Please send information for disabled visitors
Please send parking map of Gloucester
Please send parking map of Cheltenham & Tewkesbury
As a Steward, I am willing to welcome and show people to their seats
NOTES Please use this space to give us any further information you think it would be useful for us to have.
Please refer to Section 5 of the Terms and Conditions if
Venue information
Please mark in BLACK where you would like to be seated ( reserved seating only)
Please note that direct view of performers in Gloucester Cathedral is partly or wholly obscured in Blocks C and wholly obscured in Blocks D and E. In Cheltenham Town Hall direct view is partly obscured in Blocks D and wholly obscured in Blocks E.
Seating price bands, high to low.
A B C D E
Three Choirs Festival Gloucester, wishes to express its thanks to all its supporters including
