Guide The Luc sisters, outstanding opera, rare breeds and North Mudham Gala
Festival The Luc sisters return to the Festival of Chichester on Friday, July 12 with a piano recital entitled An Evening of Romantic Music.
It will start with a selection of Rachmaninov’s virtuosic Etude-tableaux followed by Chopin’s beautiful, undulating Barcarolle (Boat Song) and, to end the first of half of the concert, Schubert’s Fantasie for piano duet. The second half will be dominated by the monumental Piano Sonata no.3 by Chopin, “a work that portrays a whole lifetime of human experience and a must-hear for any Chopin lover”, they promise. And to finish, a few lively and rousing Slavonic Dances for piano duet by Dvorak.
Imy and Maria are currently studying for their masters degrees at the Royal Northern College of Music. Between them they have been awarded prizes for their solo and duet playing, performed in prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and the Wales Millennium Centre and had masterclasses with renowned pianists Sir Andras Schiff, Peter Donohoe, Martin Roscoe and Kathryn Stott.
The concert will take place on Friday, July 12 at Christ Church, Old Market Ave, Chichester, PO19 1SW starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12, £5 for students and free for under 16s, available on 01243 816525 or 775888, or by visiting The Novium, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QH. Also on the door. Opera
An outstanding night of opera is the promise at the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis featuring “worldclass performances from three superbly talented and nationally acclaimed artists.”
Spokeswoman Victoria Hilditch said: “Opera Night on July 12 is a must-see for classical music lovers of all ages, guaranteed to delight even those who have never experienced opera before.
“This event is a development of the 60 Minutes of Classical Music concert series, organised by Roger Clayden. Roger first introduced the series ten years ago, with the aim of bringing classical music within reach of the local community.
“This year the Bognor Regis Business Improvement District (BID) has worked in partnership with Roger to help bring three of the country’s top opera singers to perform at the event.”
Victoria added: “Bass baritone Aiden Smith is an associate artist of the Welsh National Opera. Tenor Philip O’brien is another established performer who has played many of the memorable opera roles on the national opera scene. Philip studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, becoming a Wolfson Scholar and winning the Patrick Libby prize for acting.
“Soprano Tereza Gevorgyan is an amazing opera singer, with a stunning array of operatic performances to her name and music prizes. The evening will also feature the singing talents of Sylvia Rota, soprano, and Monique Klongtruadroke accompanying the string and harp orchestra.
“Roger Clayden will present the performers on the night. He himself trained at Trinity College of Music and The Royal Military School of Music Kneller Hall.”
“The night of famous opera extracts and overtures will begin at 7.30pm on Friday, July 12 and will include masterpieces from Mozart, Rossini, Bizet, Verdi, Saintsaens and other famous composers.”
Tickets from the Alexandra Theatre.
Rare breeds
The Rare & Traditional Breeds Show is returning to the Weald & Downland Living Museum, Singleton, on Sunday July 14, 10am-4.30pm.
Spokeswoman Rachel Soothill said: “This popular and precious one-day event is making a much anticipated and welcome return after having a year break to refresh and revive.
“Some 400-plus animals will gather at the show which is known for its friendly and traditional atmosphere set against the backdrop of the museum’s beautiful 40-acre site at the heart of the South Downs National Park.
“For the first time two rare breeds of horses will be represented at the show, Suffolk Punches and Cleveland Bays, which are among the rarest of the native equines on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s (RBST) Watchlist, categorised as ‘Critical’ with fewer than 300 registered breeding females. The RBST has recently successfully campaigned for support for Britain’s rare horses and ponies.”
Museum director Simon Wardell said: “Rare breeds are in danger of extinction. The museum is a charity that works to preserve our rural heritage and rare breeds are an important part of this.”
The museum and show are open from 10.30am-4.30pm. Regular Museum entry charges apply which include admission to the show. Flower Show
Organisers of this year’s Mundham and District Gala and Flower Show are hoping for a repeat of last year’s fine weather.
Spokeswoman Celia O’shea said: “Last year the weather was perfect. We’re usually lucky.
“But let’s not tempt fate!
“On the occasional year when we’ve been rained on heavily, everyone has carried on regardless in macs and wellingtons knowing they were assured a very good time!
“As usual, this year, there will be the traditional grand show in the marquee where flowers, plants, flower arrangements, vegetables cakes and cookery, arts and crafts and photography attract many entries which are then judged and awarded prizes.
“Outside, there is plenty to amuse and entertain.”
The Gala is on Saturday, July 13 from 2pm on the North Mundham Playing Field. www.mundhamgala.co.uk.