May’s Investec International Music Festival sees the welcome return of the world renowned mezzo soprano Sarah Connolly CBE who will be joined by the celebrated soprano Rosemary Joshua and The English Concert, one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras, to perform a dazzling all Handel programme for an exceptional evening.

Sarah Connolly and Rosemary Joshua are both acclaimed performers in Handel’s operas, and the concert, which takes place at 5pm on Sunday 7 May at Mairlot Hall, St Teresa’s, Effingham, will include excerpts from some of the composer’s best loved operatic works, including Agrippina, Ariodante, Solomon and Theodora.

The 2017 Festival also features internationally acclaimed cellist Gary Hoffman who will be joined by the revered international violinist So-Ock Kim, violist Philip Dukes and the Sitkovetsky Trio to perform favourite pieces from Fauré, Ravel and Schubert. This concert takes place at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking on Thursday 4 May at 8pm. A pre-concert supper can be booked direct with Denbies via telephone 01306 876616.

On Saturday 6 May at 7.30pm at the Anniversary Hall, St Catherine’s School, Bramley, the Festival hosts a true piano extravaganza, two world class pianists and two Steinways. Wu Qian and Juho Pohjonen, both Lincoln Centre Music prize winners, will deliver an exciting and contrasting programme in this state of the art auditorium. The evening will include Schubert’s Fantasie in F Minor, arguably his most important work, Gershwin’s jazz influenced ‘An American in Paris’ plus the thrills and trills of Suite No 2 from the brilliant Russian composer Arensky.

Sandy Burnett, the former Radio 3 presenter, musician and author will host an Insight Evening at the historic Guildhall, Guildford on Thursday 27 April at 6.30pm to share his thoughts on this season’s composers and their music. The evening will include a complimentary gin tasting from multi award winning local distillery Silent Pool. Tickets for the Insight Evening can be reserved by emailing Julia@iimf.co.uk. Sandy confirmed: “The 2017 Festival has all bases covered – from the extrovert exuberance of operatic showpieces by Handel through to the exquisite intimacy of Schubert, whose F minor Fantasie is one of the best-loved piano duets of all.”

As David Richardson, Divisional Director Investec Wealth and Investment, summed up: “All credit to the Festival directors as the calibre of artists is once again outstanding this year. We are delighted to be in a position to play a part in bringing such world class performers to the local stage in Surrey.”

Delicious ‘Great Taste Award’ winning KOKOH chocolates from local artisan chocolatier Joanna Marshall will be available to buy at selected performances.

essence info

Investec International Music Festival tickets priced £25-£29 (concessions available) can be purchased from www.iimf.co.uk or in person or by phone from the Festival Box Office, Guildford Tourist Information Centre, 155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ.
Telephone: 01483 444334