77th Stroud Arts Festival

October

22-29

2023

About Stroud Arts Festival

Stroud Arts Festival, one of the oldest arts festivals in the country, is the ‘grandparent’ of the wonderful festivals in our area. For 77 years, we have brought world class ballet, opera, choral and chamber music to our venues, as well as giving local professional artists the opportunity to perform. Across the 1960s and ‘70s, our poetry competition drew over 900 entries from 35 countries.

Our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility can be seen in our free Relaxed Performances, which bring the arts to the broadest possible audience. Our low ticket price encourages the attendance of children and young people, and wherever appropriate we add an educational aspect through talks and workshops.

Stroud district, and its prolific network of creatives, now proudly host many festivals, which celebrate our beautiful environment, its magnificent local produce, and all aspects of the arts. We hold our place by continuing to focus on the more classical, traditional forms of music, voice, theatre and visual arts.

Stroud Arts Festival is run by a Charitable Trust, originally funded by a bequest from a local couple, Margaret and Netlam Bigg, who were passionate about both the arts and inclusivity. Costs are high with these types of events - we welcome funding and sponsorship in support - and we try to ensure we reach as many people in the community as we can.

Welcome to Stroud Arts Festival 2023

Welcome to the 77th Stroud Arts Festival!

I’m delighted to present my third programme as Artistic Director, returning this year with some world class musicians, artists and performers and a twist on the classical, traditional art forms. With blends of classical music, choral works, jazz arrangements and scintillating dance alongside visual art, silent film and musical theatre, it’s a high-energy programme to feed our souls, stimulate our emotions and lift our spirits.

My passion for music and the power it has to transform, heal and sustain us goes hand in hand with my desire to make these experiences accessible and inclusive for all to share.

I hope this programme, with our subsidised and free ticket schemes, the Relaxed Performances and low ticket prices for under-18s gives everyone the opportunity to experience the joy of live performance. This brochure shows the main events in Stroud Arts Festival so that you can get the dates in your diaries and get your tickets booked. There will be other things happening around the Festival week and we will be announcing those towards the end of the summer.

We look forward to sharing some exciting performances with you!

Dave Ayre Artistic Director, Stroud Arts Festival

Stroud Arts Festival 2023- at a glance

A mouth-watering feast of a programme, weaving music, movement, song and film in a multi-stop journey across a rolling landscape of the arts.

Unabashedly eclectic, we interleave rock with opera, silent film with vibrant jazz, spiritual with contemporary, all designed to stimulate the senses, free the emotions, and unleash joy.

We open with our Relaxed Opera, combining storytelling and musical excellence to create an accessible, enthralling show for all The Bristol Ensemble’s exhilarating orchestral interpretation of the Pink Floyd classic Dark Side Of The Moon

The Festival pays homage to Gertrude Lawrence in a theatrical performance of Noel Coward’s music And welcomes the world-renowned London Tango Quintet for an evening of elegant and passionate music

Composer Will Todd brings us a choral performance of his fabulous Mass in Blue, giving opportunity to local singers to perform under his guidance, coupled with Duke Ellington’s historic Sacred Concert

And, back by popular demand, the incredible harpist

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, playing her own live score to the silent movie

‘Diary of a Lost Girl’

Something for everyone, from, and for all ages.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tickets are on sale now

All tickets available from the Box Office at

• The Sub Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE

• Opening times – Tuesday-Saturday 9-4

• 01453 796880

• thesubrooms.co.uk

Ticket prices are inclusive – so no booking fee or extras

No need to print your tickets. Just show your e-ticket on your phone or give your name at the Box Office. Simple!

Relaxed Opera for Everyone!

Some people find it difficult to attend traditional performances and classical music and opera can often seem inaccessible. At Stroud Arts Festival we are committed to making these freely available to all. Our own ensemble of talented professional singers and musicians bring us two relaxed performances of a wonderful new production. This year we are creating a musical adventure of magic and mystery, taking the participants on an interactive journey. At each step, performers and audience work with musical instruments, sounds and other sensory tools, to connect people with places and cultures, unlocking dances from around the world. These performances, whilst open to everyone, are particularly ideal for people with physical limitations, learning disabilities, autism, neurodiversity, people experiencing mental health conditions, and carers. Our team is very experienced and skilled at working with people who need a more inclusive approach.

Abigail Sudbury, soprano

Alistair Sutherland, baritone

Hugh Blogg, violin

Toby Deller, viola

Manos Charalabopoulos, piano

Dave Ayre, double bass

Stroud Subscription Rooms

George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE

01453 796880

thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on 2pm & 3.30pm

Free, but booking required

Sunday 22 October

box office 01453 796880

The Bristol Ensemble:Dark Side of the Moon

50th Anniversary Concert

In March 1973, Gilmour, Waters, Mason and Wright released what was to become the fourth most successful album of all time. Dark side of the Moon spent over 1,000 weeks in the Billboard charts and has sold 45m copies worldwide. Rich, lush and multi-layered, it could have been designed for an orchestral treatment. It is with joy that we welcome the Bristol Ensemble as they deliver a specially commissioned arrangement of this progressive rock classic in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Bristol’s only professional chamber orchestra, the 17-piece Bristol Ensemble is as comfortable with Vivaldi as with the virtuoso rock of Pink Floyd. This exhilarating one-hour concert also includes music from Einaudi and Debussy.

Stroud Subscription Rooms

George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE 01453 796880

thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on 7pm & 9pm

Tickets £18, Under-18s £5

Wednesday 25 October

stroudartsfestival.org

The Bristol Ensemble

Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening

Gertrude Lawrence was one of Britain's brightest theatrical stars during the first half of the 20th century. A charismatic stage presence who excelled in sophisticated musical comedy. This show with music tells her story: funny, revealing and full of songs from London’s variety theatre and hits written for Gertie by Noel Coward, Gershwin, Kurt Weill and Rodgers & Hammerstein.

‘Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening’ is the latest collaboration between superbly gifted actor and singer, Lucy Stevens & pianist Elizabeth Marcus.

Lucy Stevens

Elizabeth Marcus, piano

Stroud Subscription Rooms

George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE 01453 796880

thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on

7.30pm

Tickets £15, Under-18s £5

Thursday 26 October

stroudartsfestival.org

London Tango Quintet

The London Tango Quintet, drawn together by a love of the tango, formed in 2007 and has gained international acclaim for its performances of music by legendary Argentinian composer Astor Piazzola, interspersed with music from baroque to the contemporary. Founder and director David Juritz describes the first time he heard Piazolla’s music as “mind-blowing... a kaleidoscope of conflicting emotions and a raw energy I’ve never heard surpassed”. Along with chart-topping guitar virtuoso, Craig Ogden, David is joined by accordionist, Miloš Milivojević, pianist/composer David Gordon and bassist, Richard Pryce. Come and share the passion of the tango with these five superbly talented musicians – and we promise to give you at least one opportunity to get up on your feet!

David Juritz, violin

Craig Ogden, guitar

Miloš Milivojević, accordion

David Gordon, piano

Richard Pryce, double bass

Stroud Subscription Rooms

George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE

01453 796880

thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on

7.30pm

Tickets £20, Under-18s £5

Friday 27 October

stroudartsfestival.org

An evening to celebrate two composers whose skill of weaving choral and jazz together brings us an exciting and inspiring night of sacred music.

Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert and Will Todd’s Mass in Blue

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899–1974) was a true giant of the Jazz Age and beyond, whose influence has continued through generations of jazz musicians. Always a religious man, Ellington wrote Three Sacred Concerts in the 1960s claiming that they were “personal, not career”.

Conducted by Paul McLaughlin. Originally from Dundee, Paul is a choral singer, jazz musician, teacher and conductor now living in Stroud. He feels he has found his home in the sacred music of Duke Ellington and Will Todd, and is delighted to be performing at Stroud Arts Festival this year.

Joined by the fantastic soprano, Nina Bennet and dancer Luc Bailey, the uplifting music of Duke Ellington perfectly complements Will Todd’s beautiful and exciting setting of the mass.

Will Todd – composer

The Will Todd Trio and ensemble

Nina Bennet – soprano

Luc Bailey – dancer

Paul McLaughlin - conductor

box office 01453 796880 Saturday 28 October Stroud Subscription Rooms George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE 01453 796880

7pm

£20, Under-18s £5

thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on

Tickets

Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert and Will Todd’s Mass in Blue

Another sacred work in a jazz style, this time by a contemporary composer, Mass in Blue is an upbeat jazz setting of the latin mass text blending jazz and classical choral singing to stunning effect. With a soprano soloist Nina Bennet and a choir drawn from the community, this is a vibrant, colourful work celebrating its 20th anniversary and performed for us by the composer and his ensemble. Will Todd discovered his love of improvising at an early age and that has been the central force in a wide-ranging career of composing and playing. His love of choral music is reflected in most of his works including Mass in Blue, which has been performed hundreds of times around the world since its 2003 premiere. Audience and participants alike will find this a truly inspiring and joyful event.

Calling all singers… COME AND SING! A wonderful opportunity to sing Mass in Blue with the composer. Will Todd believes in music making for all - his personal motto when directing choirs is ‘find the passion’. This is a brilliant opportunity to work on a choral masterpiece with the composer and his ensemble. If you want to be part of the community choir in this special Stroud performance, look out for the registration announcement on stroudartsfestival.org from 20 July. Places will be limited so book as soon as you can.

stroudartsfestival.org

Silent Film: Diary of a Lost Girl

(G W Pabst 1929) (79 mins) with live accompaniment from harpist

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry

Silent film with live music –why is it such a good night out? Ask last year’s Stroud audience – it’s the sheer, extraordinary talent of Elizabeth-Jane Baldry! This year we welcome her back to Lansdown Hall with another iconic black and white silent film, powerfully enhanced by her specially composed score which she plays live throughout the screening.

A late masterpiece of the silent era, and a tragic story of corruption and middle class hypocrisy in pre-Nazi Germany, Diary of a Lost Girl and its star, Louise Brooks, has gained cult status with film-lovers through the ages. Advisory notice: probably not suited to children under 12.

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, harp

Lansdown Hall

Lansdown

Stroud GL5 1BB

7.30pm

Tickets - £10, Under-18s £5

stroudartsfestival.org

Sunday 29 October

Each year, if funds allow, Stroud Arts Festival offers small grants to local arts projects which need some help to make them happen. Following our principles of educating, and encouraging participation in the arts we invite applications twice a year, giving special consideration to activities involving children and young people. This year so far we have supported:

The Loneliness Project - Collaborative artwork for those experiencing mental health issues, culminating in an exhibition in October to mark World Mental Health day. Coming out of the covid pandemic we find ourselves in a pandemic of isolation. Loneliness can affect our mental health and wellbeing and this project shines a light on this insidious enemy. Stroud Steampunk presents...

A free Steampunk event over the weekend of 5-6 August at Lansdown Hall and Bank Gardens. Music, spoken word, workshops and family-friendly games. Also vendors and displays of steampunk art and artefacts. There Is also a ticketed event in the evening.

Supported by Stroud Arts Festival

Circus Tales - 14 October, Cotswold Playhouse

A storytelling event, 'Circus Tales' is a magical afternoon at the Cotswold Playhouse, where a selection of children's stories will be brought to life by the Cotswold Players.

The event is free for families and children of all ages. All welcome from 0 to 99. Come along and bring your inner child!

Enjoy the bright lights, exciting sounds and the magic and mystery of the circus through our storytelling extravaganza! Entry is free but please sign up for tickets via the Cotswold Playhouse booking page: cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk

Stroud Arts Festival Recommends

Stroud Arts Festival is always happy to share information about other arts organisations, venues and events in Stroud. We offer space in our brochure this year to some fellow festivals in the autumn (Stroud Book Festival and Hidden Notes) and are delighted to recommend others’ events which don’t form part of our festival but whose style and standards we appreciate. At the start of our Festival week, the local Stroud Refugee Choir is bringing the very moving Monteverdi Vespers to St. Laurence Church – details are overleaf.

Acknowledgments

Stroud Arts Festival’s activities are made possible by a legacy from local patrons of the arts, Margaret and Netlam Bigg, who were passionate about promoting education in the arts within Stroud and the Five Valleys. Over the past 20 years alone their generosity, through the Trust established in their name, has seen some £300,000 poured into arts and culture in the Stroud district.

We are pleased to acknowledge our local venues and staff:

Brochure acknowledgements:

Concept, design and layout: Sophie Ayre and Katy Sirr

Print: N&P Print Ltd, Station Rd, S. Woodchester, Stroud GL5 5EQ

With grateful thanks to all the volunteers who help to make these events happen.