Page 174 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

SNLarts

Dovecote Studios with a neon
installation which takes inspiration from
his relationship with Japanese Noh
Theatre thereby complementing well a
new production of Britten’s Curlew River
set to a libretto by William Plomer and
first performed 60 years ago (13th June
1964) at the church of St Bartholomew,
Orford, by the English Opera Group,
directed by Colin Graham.
This was the first of Britten’s three
‘Parables’ for church performance based
on the Japanese Noh play, Sumidagawa
(Sumida River) by Kanze Jūrō (1395-
1431), which Britten saw during a visit to
Japan and the Far East in early 1956.
The second of the ‘Parable’ operas
The Burning Fiery Furnace came in 1966
followed by The Prodigal Son in 1968 - all
with libretti by Plomer. I attended all
three première performances at Orford
and the experience of seeing them all
Knussen Chamber Orchestra
together at a much-later festival (2013 to
be precise) by Mahogany Opera/Aurora
performing career in Britain, the Russian Hunting Gun by Thomas Larcher, based Orchestra with Roger Vignoles, music
pianist Sviatoslav Richter and the on a best-selling post-war Japanese director/accompanist, directed by
Russian cellist Mstislav (Slava) novella by Yasushi Inoue surrounding a Frederic Wake-Walker, is indelibly
Rostropovich as well as the likes of universal story of deception of others imprinted on my mind.
Kathleen Ferrier, Dennis Brain, Clifford and, indeed, of ourselves. A work of Beyond the Noh source dramatic
Curzon and the Amadeus String Quartet. depth and passion, it raised considerable material, Britten incorporated elements
A coterie of emerging interest all round of Noh treatment of theatrical time into
talent made their way to for this Austrian- this composition. In fact, Curlew River
Suffolk, too, that included born composer marked a departure in style for the
Swedish soprano Elisabeth therefore I’m glad remainder of the composer’s creative life
Söderström, the American to see him back paving the way for such works as Owen
pianist Murray Perahia and this year offering Wingrave and Death in Venice as well as
the English-born virtuoso Aldeburgh the UK the Third String Quartet.
classical guitarist/lutenist première of his Another interesting music-art
Julian Bream while the most recent work collaboration fuses renowned British
inaugural festival of Unerzählt artist Rachel Jones and soprano and
1948 witnessed a (Untold), a 20-minute piece acclaimed Messiaen interpreter, Gweneth
staging of Britten’s featuring South Tyrol-born Ann Rand, who’ll perform all three of the
opera Albert Herring baritone, Andrè Schuen, composer’s great song-cycles beginning
at the Jubilee Hall and accompanied by Julius with Harawi: Chant d’amour et de mort
the first performance Drake. complemented by Jones’ animated
of his cantata Saint Forming the backbone of painting projections which will form a
Nicolas at the Parish the festival are four featured dazzling backdrop to the performances.
Church with a trio of artists comprising composer However, if the ‘Wooden O’ in
lectures delivered by Unsuk Chin, cellist Shakespeare’s Henry V couldn’t hold the
E.M. Forster on George Alban Gerhardt, vast fields of France neither can I hold
Crabbe, Tyrone Guthrie on violinist Daniel Pioro the vast array of programme matter in
theatre and Sir Kenneth and composer this compact feature that makes the
Clark on East Anglian Judith Weir while Aldeburgh Festival one of great
painters. this year’s festival importance to locals and visitors alike!
Following the deaths of will also reflect on its Therefore, do check out their website
Britten and Pears the artistic rich heritage brittenpearsarts.org for a detailed blow-
direction fell to a coterie of offering a host of by-blow account of what’s on offer
musicians who knew both events to recreate (there’s a lot!) and, hopefully, you’ll
men well including significant moments decamp to the Suffolk coast for a
conductors Philip Ledger in its illustrious musical feast! And, if it takes your fancy,
and Steuart Bedford and history. enjoy a nice fish supper from Aldeburgh’s
composers Colin Matthews A strong, rich and famed fish-and-chip shop in the High
and Oliver Knussen. TOP: Trio Bohemo varied programme Street. That’s a feast wrapped up all in
However, a big event in MIDDLE: Explore Ensemble offers an exciting itself!
2013 (Britten’s centenary mix of opera, One last thought: the wisdom of
BOTTOM: Daniel Pioro Good Practice
year) centred on Peter orchestras, choirs, books, the wisdom of music, the wisdom
Grimes which was miraculously and singers, dance and chamber-music of art, are all employed and entwined
successfully staged on Aldeburgh beach ensembles delivering a range of thrilling within the wonderful Snape Maltings
with the festival then under the direction and exciting concerts ranging from complex that Lowestoft-born Britten
of Jonathan Reekie while his successor, medieval to contemporary music while a dearly loved so much.
Roger Wright, who has been at the visual arts programme offers a nice
crease enjoying a terrific innings for the contrast to the performing side of  The Aldeburgh Festival runs from
past decade, retires after this festival. events. Friday 7th to Sunday 23rd June.
The 2019 festival presented the UK For instance, renowned conceptual Bookings: office@brittenpearsarts.org
première of the chamber opera The artist, Cerith Wyn Evans, will light up the 01728 687110
June 2024 | 99