HSBC announces sponsorship deal for Perth Festival

Feb 9 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

HSBC yesterday announced its inaugural partnership with the Perth Festival of the Arts, which will see the bank sponsor three productions by English Touring Opera.

The HSBC Perth Festival Operas, to be staged in Perth Theatre in May, include ‘Don Pasquale’ by Donizetti, ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ by Mozart and ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ by Britten, writes Alison Anderson.

This will be the first time the Festival has had three different operas on consecutive nights. In addition to supporting the Festival Operas, HSBC will also sponsor the series of Schools Concerts by Perthshire Schools.

John Rendall, chief executive of HSBC Scotland, said: “We’re looking forward to being part of the buzz surrounding the annual arts festival and are delighted to be associated with what I’m sure will be one of the highlights of the events programme.

“Since opening our branch in Perth over two years ago, we’ve been working hard to raise our profile and establish ourselves as part of the community.By helping to support what is established as a leading Arts Festival, this sponsorship gives us another opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the city and surrounding area.”

Festival chairman Craig Dennis commented: “We are delighted with this new partnership with HSBC. Now that they have a branch in Perth we are looking forward to working closely with them.

“Opera is a key feature of the Festival, and English Touring Opera stages such high quality productions. It is a perfect event for HSBC.”

HSBC opened its Perth retail branch in the High Street in 2008, marking the first time the bank had had a presence in the city.

The sponsorship is further good news for the Festival which, for its 39th year, is shaping up to be 13-days packed with quality cultural events between May 19 and 31.

This includes special events the Festival is staging to coincide with the Perth 800 celebrations. The programme includes orchestral concerts, rock concerts, jazz, comedy and art exhibitions.

Perth-bound artists include American soprano Barbara Bonney, the RSNO, Sir Andrew Davis, The Hallé Orchestra, Alison Balsom, The Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, US singer-songwriter Don McLean, The BBC Singers, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, top comedian Rich Hall, Kit and the Widow, Gyles Brandreth and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 29 (Friends of the Festival have priority booking from March 20).

There are more details on the Festival at www.perthfestival.co.uk