 | The Bath International Music Festival is England's largest international music festival. Inaugurated in 1948, the festival, in Bath (see photo: The 18th-century Pulteney Bridge by Robert Adam), South West England, has an illustrious artistic history and has long been a well-established event of national significance and international reputation. It takes place annually over 17 days in late May/early June, presenting a range of high quality events including orchestral, chamber and contemporary classical music, contemporary jazz and world music and now exciting new electronica. The programme takes place mainly in city venues and also includes free-to-the-public outdoor events. |
| Over the last 60 years the festival has been host to many internationally acclaimed artists and has showcased many spectacular events including the now famous collaboration between Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar. The festival's current artistic director is pianist Joanna MacGregor. Her vibrancy and enthusiasm is re-shaping the festival and bringing new audiences to this long-standing institution. Artists already confirmed include the London Symphony Orchestra, Wu Man solo pipa and The Great Voices of Bulgaria Choir. The 60th anniversary festival opens with the world class London Symphony Orchestra, their first visit, under the baton of Sir Colin Davis: one of the greatest living conductors with a career spanning 60 years. To launch Bath International Music Festival's new late night series in the relaxed environs of Invention Studios, the festival is proud to present the internationally-renowned pipa virtuoso, Wu Man, cited by the Los Angeles Times as 'the artist most responsible for bringing the pipa to the Western World'. The pipa is a strong, lute-like Chinese instrument with a history of more than two thousand years. The solo performance will be on May 26. Processing in their national costumes and bearing candles, The Great Voices of Bulgaria will fill the Abbey with the searing sound of traditional Bulgarian folklore and Russian Orthodox Church music on May 31. Party in the City celebrates the 60th anniversary of Bath's world-renowned Music Festival on May 23, 2008 by bringing live venues across the city. Enjoy performances in dozens of venues and outdoor spaces, ending with an exciting show in the heart of the city and dancing to Roberto Pla's scintillating Brazilian Orchestra, all completely free. Event: The Bath International Music Festival 2008 Date: May 21 (Wednesday) - June 7 (Saturday), 2008 Location: Bath Somerset, England |
| SOURCE: The Bath International Music Festival |
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