Access all arias at music festival

IN this, the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, Aberdeenshire is hosting the prestigious Haddo Arts Festival (October 1–8), which brings together performers and artists of national importance alongside the distinctive talented voices of the North-East.

Now in its fifth year, the festival, entitled Echoes, will conjure up sounds and images of the past – a theme well fitted to the festival venue of Haddo House, pictured, and Country Park.

Highlights this year include Jamie MacDougall, the wellknown Scottish tenor and host of radio show Classics Unwrapped, who will sing some of his favourite songs and arias. Pete Stollery will present Placing Sound – five pieces of electro-acoustic music about places connected with the North-East, including sound recordings made in Aberdeen, Inverurie and Huntly. These will be performed in the atmospheric setting of Haddo Chapel. Acclaimed North-East author Stuart MacBride will host a talk as well as a book signing in the library alongside young musicians from the North East of Scotland Music School who will provide a short musical interlude. The festival will also host exciting and stimulating children’s workshops with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and specialist Children’s Classic Concerts. To find out more and to book tickets go to