Benedetti to grace the festival stage

Jan 2 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IN the year of Scotland’s Homecoming, Perth Festival of the Arts is delighted to announce that one of nation’s most talented classical musicians, Nicola Benedetti, will play with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton on Sunday, May 31, in Perth Concert Hall.

For this gala concert to close the 38th Perth Festival of the Arts, Nicola will play the Beethoven violin concerto.

Over five years the festival has had a strong relationship with sponsors Bell Lawrie, who from March, 2009, will adopt the name of its parent company, Brewin Dolphin. Their sponsorship has enabled the festival to bring world-class artists such as Bryn Terfel, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett, Julian Lloyd Webber, Peter Donohoe and Tasmin Little to Perth.

The closing concert will bear the title of The Brewin Dolphin Festival Concert.

Commenting on Brewin Dolphin’s continued sponsorship of the festival, John Cowmeadow, divisional director, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring such a popular event for the fifth year. Through our close partnership with Perth Festival of Arts, we are keen to broaden the appeal of performing arts.

“This year’s festival is set to be another great success and we hope those attending enjoy the spectacular performances.”

Perth Festival chairman Craig Dennis commented: “We are delighted that Brewin Dolphin is continuing their sponsorship. This relationship has been highly important to the festival as we seek to bring more significant cultural events to the Fair City.”

Other Scots artists on the 2009 programme will be folk legends The Tannahill Weavers and Tommy Smith with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, who will play a programme of Steely Dan.

The rich classical programme will include The Prague Symphony Orchestra with BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, Freddie Kempf (piano), conducted by Petr Altrichter; English Touring Opera will present two nights of The Magic Flute and one night of Katya Kabanovo by Janecek; Emma Johnson (clarinet) and Pascal Rogé (piano) will give a recital at Perth Concert Hall; and The Nash Ensemble of London make a welcome return. After their stunning appearance at this year’s BBC Proms The King’s Singers will also perform.

After last year’s sell-out comedy gig by Dara O ‘Briain, his colleague from Mock the Week, Russell Howard (below left), will perform a stand-up show.

Female trio Fascinating Aida will perform some witty repartee and Theatre Company Brute Farce will stage a hilarious version of Moll Flanders.

More highlights will be the West End Show Stones in His Pockets, An Audience with author Colin Dexter, and a night of hot tango with Tango Siempre, which will open the 2009 event on May 21.

Over many years the festival has supported young musicians from Perth who have decided to make careers in music.

This year it is the turn of bassoon player Lawrence O’Donnell, who will give a recital in St John’s Kirk. Perth Youth Orchestra will also play at this year’s festival service.

Events also involving Perthshire artists will be an exhibition by Raymond Honeyman, concerts by Perthshire Schools, Art on the River and the Perth Art Trail. Rock shows are yet to be announced. Booking opens end of March.

There are more details on the festival on www.perthfestival.co.uk