RYEDALE FESTIVAL GEMS

The gem-packed Ryedale Festival programme runs from July 14-30, including scores of concerts, talks and recitals, Opera North at Scarborough Spa on Friday July 21, Lucy Worsley at Hovingham Hall on July 29.

Afestival full of top-class performers entertaining crowds in picturesque locations is upon us once more.

The headliners of the Ryedale Festival, which starts today and runs to July 30, include four unmissable orchestral concerts.

Sir Mark Elder conducts the Hallé in Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius at York Minster, reflecting a festival theme of Dreams and Visions. The Orchestra of Opera North will be at Scarborough Spa with a thrilling programme of Rachmaninov and Berlioz and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Royal Northern Sinfonia (pictured) bookend the festival with irresistible concerts at Hovingham Hall. Chamber music highlights include Truth’s Disguise, a mini-series bringing together two of the great creative spirits of Soviet Russia – Dmitri Shostakovich and Anna Akhmatova. Another thread to the programme explores the extraordinary story of Schubert’s Last Year – surely one of the most miraculous in music history.

Sally Beamish is composer in residence, with many opportunities to discover the expressive depth and wide appeal of her music, with its influences from folk and jazz, her Quaker faith, and the landscapes and seascapes of Scotland.

Other artists in residence include the Carducci Quartet and Simon Callow.

There is jazz – a recreation of one of the most famous nights in its history – and folk too, along with five world premieres, a series of literary events and an exhibition featuring the work of local artists.

Dr Lucy Worsley’s talk, Alone with Jane Austen, has had to change from Duncombe Park to Hovingham Hall due to demand.

Artistic Director Christopher Glynn said: “My thanks go to the many supporters whose generosity makes such a broad programme possible.

“It promises to be an exciting summer in Ryedale and the festival looks forward to welcoming old friends and new to enjoy it.”

The festival marks the centenary of distinguished Ryedale organist and composer Francis Jackson.