uk cultural tours & music holidays

UK CULTURAL TOURS & M U S I C H O L I D A Y SF O R D I S C E R N I N G T R A V E L L E R S

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2 To make a reservation please call 01372 462 226

UK CULTURAL TOURS & M U S I C H O L I D A Y S

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We are delighted to enclose details of our current collection of Cultural Tours & Music Holidays based in the UK, including exclusive Kirker Music Festivals, visits to leading opera and music events, and tours to the UK’s finest private houses and gardens. For those who prefer to travel independently, remember that we also offer tailor-made holidays in the UK as well as the Channel Islands and Ireland.

We shall begin 2021 with two Kirker Music Festivals. The first is a new holiday with the very highly-regarded Baroque ensemble La Serenissima, based at The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, which will celebrate Italian Baroque music including the works of composers such as Telemann, Tartini, Leclair and Guillemain – as well as Vivaldi, of course. We are very much looking forward to what promises to be one of the highlights of the year. In March we will then head to Cornwall for our annual Festival at Olga Polizzi’s fabulous Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes, where we shall enjoy performances from the Maxwell String Quartet and candlelit dinners in the hotel’s excellent restaurant overlooking the sea.

In April we are back in Cornwall, this time in the company of expert horticulturalist Kirsty Fergusson, for a tour of the country’s finest gardens – from subtropical landscapes to grand country estates and some truly exceptional collections of camellias and rhododendrons – as well as several excellent art galleries including the expanded Tate St Ives. Kirsty will also accompany our new garden tour to Dorset and Somerset in June, which includes exclusive visits to several of the finest private gardens in the region (see back page).

Meanwhile, the programme is now published for the 2021 Buxton Festival, one of the highlights of any opera-lover’s calendar, and we have two tours confirmed during July, which will each include three performances: Acis and Galatea by Handel, La donna del lago by Rossini, and an innovative production entitled Viva la Diva, with music by Donizetti.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

P.S. This autumn we will visit Alfriston in East Sussex, for our chamber music holiday at the charming Dean’s Place Hotel, within walking distance of the River Cuckmere and the mediaeval Clergy House. The musicians joining us will be of the highest calibre, including not only the magnificent Doric String Quartet who have travelled the world to great acclaim since their first Kirker engagement 15 years ago, but also the internationally-renowned pianist Melvyn Tan, who will perform solo works by Chopin and Beethoven.

I n d e xLa Serenissima – page 3

26 February 2021 | £1,197 per person

Kirker Music Festival, Alfriston – page 429 November 2020 | £1,130 per person

Kirker Music Festival, St. Mawes – page 515 March 2021 | £1,296 per person

Gardens & Galleries of Cornwall – page 619 April 2021 | £1,368 per person

Gardens of Dorset & Somerset – page 77 June 2021 | Price tbc

Opera in Buxton – page 810 & 19 July 2021 | £1,350 per person

Ted WakeJoint MD & Director of Sales & Marketing

Tresanton Buxton Opera House Trebah Garden

3To make a reservation please call 01372 462 226

E X C L U S I V E K I R K E R M U S I C F E S T I V A L S

LA SERENISSIMA: ITALIAN BAROQUE MUSIC AT THE GRAND, EASTBOURNE

A THREE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 26 FEBRUARY 2021

Described by the 11th Duke of Devonshire as ‘the jewel in Eastbourne’s splendid crown’, The Grand enjoys a majestic position in this elegant seaside resort, and was developed by the Cavendish family in the late 19th century and is the perfect home for our new exclusive music festival exploring the chamber music of 18th century Europe. It is a benchmark of comfort and style,

more reminiscent of the grand hotels of the capitals of central Europe than of the English coast. Music has always been a central feature of life at The Grand: Debussy, Elgar, Dame Nellie Melba and many others stayed at the hotel. Kirker is delighted to introduce guests to La Serenissima, the UK’s leading interpreters of Italian baroque music, in a series

of intimate concerts highlighting a network of composers inspired by and linked to Vivaldi.

La Serenissima was founded in 1994, by British violinist Adrian Chandler, to bring to life the music of 18th-century Venice. With a track-record of more than 25 years, La Serenissima has delighted audiences across the world through its live performances, recordings and outreach. The group’s latest album, Extra Time (Signum Classics), described as ‘a dégustation of Baroque music … which offers some delightful revelations’ by BBC Music Magazine, was featured on BBC Radio 3 Record Review, Classic FM Drive Discovery and Scala Radio as Album of the Week before entering the UK Classical Chart in the ‘Top 10’ on release in July. reaching a global audience through live concerts, recordings and outreach. The ensemble’s recording work has won two Gramophone Awards (in 2010 & 2017), topped the UK Classical Chart (2018) and has been featured in international film, television and advertising, including for the 2019 film Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

LA SERENISSIMA

26 February: Angels & Devils - Sonatas for 2 Violins by Vivaldi, Leclair and Guillemain Leclair: Sonata V from Second Livre de Sonates a deux violons sans basse in G Guillemain: Sonata II from VI Sonates a deux violons sans bassse in D Vivaldi: Suonata a 2 violini senza basso in G, RV 71 Guillemain: Sonata VI from Ileme Livre de Sonates a deux violons sans basse in E Vivaldi: Suonata a 2 violini senza basso in F, RV 70 Leclair: Sonata VI from Sonates a deux violons sans basse in D

27 February: Italian Fire - The Concerto in Italy and Germany Telemann: Concerto for 4 violins in G, TWV 40.201 Bach: Concerto a 6 in D, BWV 1043 Telemann: Sonata for 4 violins in C, TWV 40.203 Valentini: Concerto XI for 4 violins, viola, cello & continuo in A, Opus 7 Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 violins, strings & continuo in G, RV 516 Telemann: Concerto for 4 violins in D, TWV 40.202 Vivaldi: Concerto for 4 violins, viola & continuo in B Flat, RV 553

28 February: Spies & Devils - Sonatas for Violin, Viola d’Amore and Violoncello Vivaldi: Sonata for violin, cello & continuo in G, RV 820 Vandini: Sonata for cello & continuo in A Ariosti: 2 Sonatas for viola d’amore & continuo Locatelli: Sonata X for violin, cello & continuo in A, Opus 8 Tartini: Sonata Il Trillo del Diavolo for violin & continuo in G, B. G5

MUSIC PROGRAMME

The HOTELThe 5* Grand overlooks the English Channel, a short walk from the centre of Eastbourne and from Devonshire Park and the Towner Art Gallery. It has spacious public lounges, restaurants and bars, and an impressive spa with indoor pool, gym, solarium and treatment rooms. Free use of the spa’s facilities is included. Our concerts will be held in the Compton Room. Bedrooms are comfortable and well appointed. You can choose between an inland facing room or a room with a sea view.

The Grand

La Serenissima

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICESDATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP26 February £1,197 £180Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of atwin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.Supplement for a room with a side view £150 per roomSupplement for a room with a sea view £345 per room

WHAT WE INCLUDE

TOUR INFORMATION

• Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast• Three dinners• Three concerts• The services of the Kirker Tour Leader


THE KIRKER CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ALFRISTON

A THREE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 29 NOVEMBER 2020

We have been presenting our popular chamber music concerts in Alfriston for nine consecutive years. Many clients have been returning to Deans Place year after year, enjoying this pretty and historic Sussex village in the heart of the South Downs. There are superb views from the hotel and you can enjoy gentle walks along the winding River Cuckmere. In the village you will find the 14th century Alfriston Clergy House as well as a number of interesting shops and galleries and a very fine bookshop. If you want to explore independently you can visit Berwick Church to see the once controversial murals by Duncan Grant. More of his work can be seen at Charleston Farmhouse with its associations with the Bloomsbury set. You may also wish to visit the excellent Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne. This year we include our most popular artists – the pianist Melvyn Tan and the Doric String Quartet.

The staff at the 3 star Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston can be relied upon to provide the warmest of welcomes to our clients. The hotel has just 36 bedrooms and is set in four acres of impeccably maintained gardens. It is a few minutes’ walk to the village, which has a number of interesting shops. There is a comfortable lounge, a restaurant and a bar. The hotel does not have a lift but staff are on hand to help you with your luggage.

The hotel

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICESDATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP29 November £1,130 £159Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of atwin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

TOUR INFORMATION

• Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast• Three dinners• Three concerts and talks as described with programme notes• All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities• The services of the Kirker Tour Leader


The Doric String Quartet, joined by Simon Rowland-Jones, will give two concerts. Their programme will include performances from Haydn’s Op.33 quartets which they are recording during 2019/2020. This opus enjoys the nickname, ‘The Joke’. They will perform other works by Haydn, Beethoven and Britten as well as a piece by Britten’s teacher, Frank Bridge, Lament for Two Violas in which the quartet’s viola player, Helene Clement, will be joined by Simon Rowland-Jones. Helene plays on an 1843 Guissani viola, previously owned by Frank Bridge and Britten and on long term loan from the Britten-Pears Organisation in Aldeburgh. Rowland-Jones composed a quartet for the Dorics in 2014, ‘Caravaggio’ inspired by that artist’s masterpiece in St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Melvyn Tan will give a solo piano recital and his programme will include Four Scherzi by Chopin, some of the most dazzlingly virtuosic keyboard music ever composed, together with works by Beethoven, including Sonata No.30 in E, Op.109.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

THE MUSICIANSThe Doric String Quartet was introduced to Kirker audiences back in 2005. Since then they have performed on many of our exclusive Festivals both on land and at sea. They memorably played Walton’s String Quartet at the Kirker Ischia Music Festival at La Mortella in Ischia with Susana Walton being visibly moved sitting in the front row. Today, they are amongst the most sought after quartets in the world playing at concert halls and in festivals around the world so it has been hugely rewarding for everyone at Kirker to witness their rise to stardom. They play at every major festival around the world, have a series of several concerts at Wigmore Hall each season and continue to add to their already extensive discography.

Melvyn Tan was born in Singapore in 1956 and came to England at a very young age to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey. There he studied with Nadia Boulanger, Vlado Perlemuter and Marcel Ciampi. They all inspired his lifelong passion for French music. He has circles the globe giving solo recitals and as a soloist with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors in major concert halls and festivals everywhere – Salzburg, Edinburgh, City of London Festivals, Lincoln Center and Wigmore Hall to name just a few. He visits his native Singapore often and played at a packed Esplanade Hall in 2011. Since then he has returned often not only to play but also to teach. He has been appointed as Artist in Residence at the new Yong Siew Toh Conservatory.

THE KIRKER CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ALFRISTON – SPRING 2021

If you would like to register your interest for our 2021 Music Festival in Alfriston, please speak to your independent travel agent.

Alfriston Clergy House

5To make a reservation please call 01372 462 226


THE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE TRESANTON, ST. MAWES

A THREE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 15 MARCH 2021

Our annual visit to Olga Polizzi’s fabled Hotel Tresanton in St. Mawes combines a relaxing spring escape in Cornwall with a series of world-class chamber music recitals, and is a highlight of the Kirker calendar. Performances in 2021 will be given by the Maxwell String Quartet and will include works by Schubert, Haydn, Elgar, Dvorak and Beethoven. In addition to the wonderful music on offer we will also enjoy a visit to the private garden at Lamorran, inspired by Lady Walton’s garden on the island of Ischia.

The HOTEL

The concerts are given in the charming Old Methodist Hall in the village. The Hall, which has a fine acoustic ideal for chamber music, was restored and decorated by Olga Polizzi who has donated it to the village for community events. The talks will be given in the Hotel Tresanton. Tea and homemade biscuits will be provided.15 March: 4pm Barry Cheeseman and Simon Rowland-Jones will introduce the Maxwell Quartet to the audience and talk to them about their musical lives together.

6pm Schubert: Quartettsatz D703 Haydn: String Quartet in C, Op.74 No.1 Dvorak: String Quartet in G Op. 106

16 March: 4pm Members of the Maxwell Quartet will be in conversation with Simon Rowland-Jones about their thoughts on Prokofiev’s Quartet in B minor.

6pm Prokofiev: String Quartet No.1 in B minor, Op.50 Beethoven: String Quartet in E flat, Op.74 No10 ‘The Harp’ Haydn: String Quartet in G minor, Op.74 No.3

17 March: 4pm Herbert Howells’ Fantasy String Quartet, composed in 1917 is just one of eight chamber works by the composer, so much better known for his choral works.

6pm Haydn: String Quartet in F, Op.74 No.2 Howells: Fantasy String Quartet, Op.25 Mozart: String Quintet in C, K525

MUSIC PROGRAMME

The 5* Hotel Tresanton enjoys a wonderful position overlooking the sea. Olga Polizzi and her brother Sir Rocco Forte have won accolades around the world for their work as renowned hoteliers. The hotel has 29 bedrooms, a terrace and a cosy bar. The menus for the three candlelit dinners will be carefully selected by the hotel’s chef to ensure guests enjoy the best locally sourced ingredients. Please note that there is no lift at this hotel.

The Maxwell String Quartet was internationally recognised after winning First Prize in the 9th Trondheim Chamber Music Competition in 2017. They very soon started to appear in leading chamber music venues throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, with performances in Copenhagen, Stavanger and Amsterdam. The quartet is comprised of players who grew up together and who played both classical music and Scottish folk music across Scotland.They studied with the Endellion String Quartet and have been mentored by current and former members of the Belcea Quartet, Krysztof Chorzelski and Alasdair Tait.

The MUSICIANS

Optional Excursion to Trelissick on the Roseland Peninsular

17 March, 9.30am - 2.30pm. £45 per person.With sweeping views over the Fal estuary, Trelissick House & Garden is set amidst more than 500 acres of park and farmland. After an introduction to the garden there will be time to explore the house and gallery which displays arts and crafts created and designed by Cornish artisans before returning to St. Mawes.

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICESDATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP15 March £1,296 £297Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of atwin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

TOUR INFORMATION

• Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast• Three dinners• Three concerts• A visit to Lamorran Gardens• The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

Tresanton


K I R K E R C U L T U R A L T O U R S

THE GARDENS AND GALLERIES OF CORNWALL

A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 19 APRIL 2021

Cornwall’s unique microclimate makes it the perfect destination for a spring escape, and the warmth combined with the special quality of the light here has – much like the French Riviera – long attracted both artists and horticulturalists. In the company of expert gardener and writer Kirsty Fergusson, we will visit some of the very best of the county’s gardens – both public and private – as well as important art galleries including the recently extended Tate St Ives.

Please make your own way to Falmouth where we stay for the duration of the tour at the 4* St Michaels Resort. This afternoon

we will go to the Falmouth Art Gallery where we will have a talk by the director, Henrietta Boex, followed by free time to visit the collection. Dinner will be taken in the hotel’s restaurant this evening.

Today we visit Trewithen, an 18th century house surrounded by 30 acres of woodland gardens, where Gary Long, the head gardener

will give a tour taking in the magnificent collection of rhododendrons. In the afternoon, we go to Trelissick, just outside Truro. With sweeping views over the Fal estuary, Trelissick House & Garden is set amidst more than 500 acres of park and farmland. After an introduction to the garden there will be time to explore the house independently before returning to Falmouth by ferry.

Our first visit this morning is to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Here impressive exotic and sub-tropical planting is combined with

works by internationally renowned artists including James Turrell, David Nash and Richard Long, who have created sculpture to complement the surrounding Cornish landscape. Next we head to the Tate St. Ives. Reopened in October 2017 after a four- year redevelopment, the Tate is now able to display a semi-permanent collection in the original building including several works by artists associated with Cornwall, as well as a programme of temporary exhibitions in the new wing. We will then visit the nearby Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden where the artist and sculptor lived with her husband, Ben Nicholson, after they moved to Cornwall. She died here on 20 May 1975 after a fire swept through the building.

The itinerary

DAY1

DAY2

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DAY4

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICESDATE PRICE

19 April 2021 £1,368Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of atwin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

TOUR INFORMATION

• Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast• Three dinners and one lunch• All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities as described• The services of garden expert, Kirsty Fergusson

DAY5

DAY6

The Caerhays Estate has an English Heritage Listed Grade II woodland garden, as well as collections of magnolias, camellias,

rhododendrons and hydrangeas. We will have a guided tour of the castle followed by a tour of the garden with head gardener, Jaimie Parsons. Our second visit today is to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The Tremayne family, who have owned the 200-acre Heligan Estate for more than 400 years, developed the gardens from the mid-18th century until the early 20th century. They were neglected during WWII, but restored to their original splendour during the 1990s. We will have a guided tour focusing on the Victorian productive gardens followed by free time to explore the rest of the estate including the pleasure grounds, home to the National Collection of camellias and rhododendrons, and the wild area with sub-tropical plants, known as the ‘Jungle’.

Today we go to two adjacent gardens on the Helford River. The first, Trebah, is a wonderful sub-tropical paradise with glorious

views out across the river. Established over 160 years ago by the Quaker polymath Charles Fox as a pleasure garden, it is full of exotic species. Then we go to Glendurgan, another garden established by the Fox family, who were great gardeners and plant collectors. Now run by the National Trust, Glendurgan combines exotic plants with banks of wildflowers.

The tour ends after a visit to nearby Potager Garden; a relatively new garden on the site of a former plant nursery where the

emphasis is on enjoyment and relaxation – and there’s a fabulous cafe.

No single supp

Caerhays Estate

7To make a reservation please speak call 01372 462 226

THE GARDENS OF DORSET & SOMERSETA FOUR NIGHT HOLIDAY | 7 JUNE 2021

Expert horticulturalist and popular Kirker tour leader Kirsty Fergusson will escort this highly anticipated new itinerary ‘behind the scenes’ of some of the most wonderful gardens in the south-west of England. Based in the picturesque small town of Bridport, close to Dorset’s World Heritage Jurassic Coast, we will join Kirsty in visiting a fascinating range of public and private gardens, many of which will open specially for our visit – including kitchen gardens, meadows, historic orchards, elegant water gardens and subtropical plant collections.

Please make your own way to the charming Bull Inn in Bridport, just over an hour from Bournemouth or Exeter, which will be our base for

the duration of the holiday. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening.

This morning we will visit the home of John and Jenny Makepeace in Beaminster. John Makepeace is a leading designer

of contemporary fine furniture, dedicated to exploring the beauty of wood. His wife, Jennie is a distinguished gardener and plantswoman and together they have created complementary “his and hers” gardens, reflecting two very different approaches to garden design and planting. We will continue to Milton Mill in West Milton, the former home of nature writer Kenneth Allsop, where we will have lunch with owner Margaret Morgan-Grenville and a tour of her idyllic garden which has a river flowing through it and its own cider orchard. In the afternoon we will head to Mapperton in Beaminster for a tour of the house and garden where Kirsty was Head Gardener for five years.

Charles Dowding, master of the “No Dig” method, will give us a private tour of his exceptional kitchen garden this morning and

will share his insight into how to make your own produce grow and taste better. We then cross the border into Somerset where we will visit England’s newest Grand Garden at The Newt. We will have lunch at the excellent restaurant here and a tour of the gardens bravely created on the site of Penelope Hobhouse’s Hadpsen.

Our first visit today is to Forde Abbey, with its beautiful meadow gardens maintained by young head gardener, Joshua Sparkes.

We will then continue to Shute House, the final garden created by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe and reputedly one of his favourites. The design was first commissioned in 1969 by Lady Anne and Captain Michael Tree and Sir Geoffrey came out of retirement to reimagine it in 1993. There is a box-edged parterre, a Camellia walk, and a canal with Arum Lilies and Chinese balconies, but the most famous feature is the elegant, Moorish-inspired rill garden, taking water from the River Nadder through sculpted channels and over copper waterfalls which resonate with precise musical notes.

On our final morning there will be a visit to Abbotsbury sub-tropical gardens. Winner of the Christie’s Garden of the Year Award

2012, Abbotsbury comprises a Victorian walled garden set in 20 acres of woodland valley with a mixture of formal and informal flowers. The unique micro-climate enables rare and exotic species to thrive here, and it is renowned for magnificent collections of rhododendrons, hydrangeas, magnolias, and Camellia groves. After the tour you may choose to linger at the excellent café and plant centre here.

The itinerary

DAY1

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DAY5

TOUR LECTURER: KIRSTY FERGUSsONKirsty Fergusson exchanged a career in academia (she is a PhD specialising in French philosopher-novelists) for a life in gardening. Trained at Capel Manor, she was head gardener at Mapperton in Dorset during the early nineties, where a series of fortunate encounters opened the door to garden writing. As well as writing a weekly column for The Express, for many years she was a frequent contributor to Gardens Illustrated, House and Garden, Country Life, The Times, The Telegraph and The Independent. In 2003 she moved to SW France, where she continues to explore the possibilities of her own (very forgiving) garden – when not travelling, writing or leading garden tours.

K I R K E R C U L T U R A L T O U R S

Forde Abbey

Mapperton

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICESDATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP7 June £1,340 £358Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of atwin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

TOUR INFORMATION

• Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast• Two lunches• Two dinners• All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities• The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

THE BUXTON OPERA FESTIVALFOUR NIGHT HOLIDAYS | 10 & 19 JULY 2021

The Buxton International Festival was originally founded to present little known operas in the town’s magical opera house, designed by Frank Matcham, the Festival has extended its remit considerably in the past decade or so with one of the most varied and wide ranging programmes of any UK festival. The operas still hold centre stage but throughout the day visitors can enjoy recitals, concerts and a dynamic literary festival, all taking place at different venues throughout the town. Buxton is a lovely spa town in the heart of the glorious Peak District.

The itineraryThis tour will be based at The Old Hall Hotel in the very centre of Buxton, just opposite the Opera House. This historic hotel has a lounge, bar and restaurant. We will include two excursions. There will be a visit to Kedleston Hall, a magnificent neo-classical house by Robert Adam designed for the Curzon family who still live in the Hall today. In addition to the magnificent collections here, visitors can enjoy the Eastern Museum which celebrates Lord Curzon’s time as the Viceroy of India – 1899-1905. The second visit is to Chatsworth, the glorious seat of the Dukes of Devonshire.

Music Programme

Performances begin at 7.15pm unless stated otherwise.

Acis and Galatea by Handel12 July & 20 July

Handel’s delightful pastoral work was first performed as a one act work at Cannons, the Edgware home of the Duke of Chandos. It was given during the summer of 1718, reputedly on the terrace overlooking the magnificent gardens. The libretto was by John Gay. The work was changed into a two-act piece in 1731 and includes some of Handel’s best known arias.

La donna del lago by Rossini13 July & 22 JulyRossini’s grand bel-canto opera was first performed at Teatro San Carlo, Naples on 24 September 1819. The libretto is based on Sir Walter Scott’s novel, whose works were very much in vogue at the time. Rossini composed a string of dazzling arias and duets for the five major roles, each one seemingly more demanding and virtuosic than the one before. The opera’s crowning glory is the final aria for Elena, its vocal pyrotechnics sending the delirious audience into a frenzy and leaving them in no doubt who the star is in this opera - after all, the role was sung at the first performance by none other than Isabella Colbran, Signora Rossini herself!

Viva la Diva by Donizetti11 July (2.15pm) & 21 JulyThe original title of this work is Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali has, unsurprisingly, been given less cumbersome titles since the first performance at the Teatro Nuovo, Naples on 21 November 1827. It was later revised and given in two acts at the Teatro Cannobiano, Milan on 20 April 1831. Today, it is better known as Viva la Mama but in this performance it’s Viva la Diva, much more appropriate for a performance in one of Europe’s best loved opera festivals!Donizetti must have enjoyed himself with this work which tells the story of a provincial opera company preparing to stage a show that eventually falls apart – the operatic equivalent of The Play that Went Wrong!! The ‘convenienze’ of the title refers to the rules and protocols of life on the opera stage, notably the prima donna, who refuses to rehearse! The fact that Donna Agata, the mother of the seconda donna is sung by a baritone gives you a clue of what to expect as the singers enjoy sending themselves up…or do they? An evening of high camp and dazzling arias awaits, perfect for a summer’s night at the opera.

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICESDATE PRICE SINGLE SUPPBoth dates £1,350 £270Our prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

TOUR INFORMATION

• Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast• Four dinners• Tickets for three operas and one chamber concert or song recital• All sightseeing entrance fees and gratuities• The services of the Kirker Tour Leader and local guide

Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

To make a reservation please call:

01372 462 226

uk cultural tours & music holidays

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