Countries converge as Rokia takes charge at Brighton
Festival Artists and performers from more than 20 countries converge as Brighton Festival kicks off this weekend, promising a spectacular, vibrant cultural explosion across more than 130 events.
Celebrated Malian musician Rokia Traoré is the guest director for Brighton Festival 2019, the largest annual, curated multi-arts festival in England. She promises storytelling at the heart of a wide-ranging, diverse and international festival, encouraging audiences to meet, listen and pass on their experiences. Running from May 4-26, it promises a space for contemporary expression from around the world.
The importance of respect for all cultures and for nurturing the next generation of artists will be the heart and soul of this year’s programme, offering new and unexpected events across 25 venues and locations across Brighton, Hove.
Rokia has built her own series of events as the spine of the festival.
Coming up, under her auspices, are:
Né So, Saturday, May 4, Brighton Dome Concert Hall. Malian musician Rokia Traoré shares her highly personal sixth album, Né So.
Dream Mandé: Bamanan Djourou, Saturday, May 18, Brighton Dome Concert Hall. Rokia Traoré gives new life to traditional and international songs
Malian Dance Night, Monday, May 20, The Old Market. An evening of Malian dance you will not want to miss.
Dream Mandé: Djata, Tuesday, May 21, Theatre Royal Brighton. Hear the story of the Mandinka sung in original griot form and in English.
Peter Sellars and Rokia Traoré, Friday, May 24, The Old Market. Two incredible artists, two amazing imaginations in conversation.
Rokia said: “As guest director, I set out to bring new voices to the city to tell their stories. Understanding other cultures is so important to the world that we live in and it brings me great joy to shed light on some unexpected voices through this opportunity. I hope that through the Festival, visitors listen to stories from far away and from right next door. Stories with characters and ideas you never could have dreamed of, stories that touch you, thrill you, bring you happiness and perhaps move you to experience life in a different way. I am honoured to share my own stories and I’m filled with joyous anticipation to be guest director for this wonderful gathering of music, art, words, dance and performance. My hope is that the Festival gives everyone a new story to hand down for generations to come.’
Brighton Festival is also promising a particularlystrong classical music programme this year, with many free and low-cost events to encourage participation (May 4-26). Events include:
Pitch Perfect, Saturday, May 4, 1pm Starts Bartholomew Square, Brighton. Free. Brighton & Hove Music & Arts presents an afternoon of the city’s best young musical talent performing in a range of unexpected but ‘perfect pitches’. Featuring the Brighton & Hove Youth Big Band, unplugged pop and folk-inspired acts, string quartets and chamber wind ensembles, the trail starts at Moshimo/bartholomew Square. Follow it down to Brighton Dome’s Foyer where you can pick up more information about the other pitches around the city centre.
Ensemble Correspondances
(France). Sunday, May
5, 3pm, Glyndebourne. Founded a decade ago in
Lyon by the organist and harpsichordist Sébastien Daucé, this ensemble of specialist vocalists and instrumentalists is passionate about rediscovering musical forms and composers now almost forgotten. This concert recreates life in the salons of Louis XIII’S court with vocal music reflecting themes of night and love.