2017 marks the 50^th Anniversary of the opening of the Snape Maltings Concert Hall and the 69^th Aldeburgh Festival is celebrating with a suitably jam packed programme of Music, Art and Workshops. With his love of all things musical, our Web Manager John has picked out his top 4 things from the Aldeburgh Festival 2017.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream holds a special place in the history of the Aldeburgh Festival. It premiered here in 1960 in the somewhat cramped confines of the Jubilee Hall and then helped opened Snape Maltings in 1967. It returns this year in what promises to be a fantastic new production with an all-star cast led by Iestyn Davies and Sophie Bevan with rising star Ryan Wigglesworth in the pit. All the ingredients you need for something truly memorable.

CBSO

The City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) have a tradition of spotting rising stars early. They nurtured the careers of Sir Simon Rattle, Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons before sending them on their way to fame and fortune. Their newest Music Director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla promises to follow much the same career trajectory. Named one of the best female conductors in the world by BBC Music Magazine she’s considered a truly exciting prospect and still only 30. The two concerts she gives will be unmissable and save me a trip to Birmingham!

Steven Isserlis

Steven Isserlis is one of the world’s leading cellists and has a long association with Snape going back to the mid-70s and his time at the Britten-Pears School. The concert he’s giving includes old favourites such as Benjamin Britten’s simply stunning Cello Suite No.3 and newer pieces including previous Festival Music Director Thomas Adès’ Lieux retrouvés and is just the sort of thing the festival does so well. Another one not to miss.

Billy Budd

With two Britten opera’s in the same Festival we are really being spoiled. This time it’s Opera North’s take on seafaring epic Billy Budd. Somewhat unbelievably it’s the first time that this opera has been given at Snape. So make sure you see this all star production led by Roderick Williams and Alan Oke who are two of the best in the business.

Bandstand on the Beach

Outside of the main festival the Bandstand on the Beach (which we here at O&C are sponsoring) returns for a third year with free concerts from 1pm on every day of the festival alongside a special Midsummer evening concert on June 21st more details can be found here. You can whet your appetite with one of our videos from last years festival. The Pumphouse on the edge of Slaughden Marshes has a full range of artistic endeavour to keep you busy. For more information about the Aldeburgh Festival please visit the Snape Maltings website at snapemaltings.co.uk