Bath International Music Festival
Late May to early June
Located about 100 miles west of London, the city of Bath was already known for its mineral hot springs and 18th-century architecture when the idea for a music festival germinated and in 1948, a children's festival was held. Lack of funds and public interest nearly extinguished the festival over the next decade, but it gained a new spark with the appointment of violinist Yehudi Menuhin as artistic director in 1959. During his tenure in the 1960s, the festival became an event of international scope and featured dance, theater, and not-to-be-missed parties in addition to opera and orchestral music. In subsequent years, film presentations, art exhibitions, and children's events were also part of the program.
Today, the 17-day festival presents all types of music—classical, jazz, contemporary, early, world—performed by local and international musicians and features some 150 events, including concerts, lectures, gatherings, workshops, open rehearsals, and educational programs. Festival events take place not only in many of Bath's well-preserved historic buildings, but also in the city streets and on the riverfront.
CONTACTS
Bath Festivals
2 Church St.
Abbey Green
Bath, BA1 1NL United Kingdom
44-12-2546-2231; fax: 44-12-2544-5551
www.bathmusicfest.org.uk
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Bath International Music Festival
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Bath International Music Festival
| Location(s) | Bath, England |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1948 – present |
| Date(s) | 22 May – 6 June |
| Genre | Orchestral, chamber, classical, jazz, folk, electronica, world |
| Website | http://www.bathmusicfest.org.uk/ |
The Bath International Music Festival, also known as the Bath Music Fest, is held each summer in Bath, South West England. Inaugurated in 1948, the festival includes many genres such as orchestral, contemporary jazz, folk and electronica. The Festival's current artistic director is Joanna MacGregor.
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Contents
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History
Originally known as the Bath Assembly,[1] the festival was first directed by the impresario Ian Hunter in 1948. After the first year the city tried to run the festival itself, but in 1955 asked Hunter back. In 1959, Hunter invited Yehudi Menuhin to become artistic director of the Festival, a post he held until 1968.[2] In 2006 Joanna MacGregor was appointed the current artistic director.
The Festival has in the past included non-musical events such as talks and guided walks around the city, but now focuses exclusively on music. At certain times in its history, it has had its own choir, the Bath Festival Chorus; this last performed in 2005.
Programme
The Festival currently takes place during late May and early June. During this time classical music, international jazz, world, folk, contemporary music, and free-to-the-public events are staged throughout the city. In 2006, pianist Joanna MacGregor was appointed Artistic Director, and she has been instrumental in re-shaping the festival and bringing new audiences. MacGregor also performs at the festival (in both solo and collaborative roles) and gives piano workshops. The introduction in 2006 of a new format to the Festival saw electronica in the programme for the first time and a return to cross-genre collaborations which included Brian Eno performing in the Bath Abbey alongside Bath Camerata. Recent highlights included the London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis, Maxim Vengerov, McCoy Tyner, and Alison Balsom.
In 2008 Bath International Music Festival celebrated its 60th Anniversary.[3]
Directors
- Ian Hunter (1948)
- John Boddington (1949–1955)
- Sir Thomas Beecham, Oliver Messel, Hugh Beaumont (1955)
- Yehudi Menuhin (1959–1968)
- Sir Michael Tippett (1969–1974)
- Sir Colin Davis, Jack Phipps (1969)
- Sir William Glock (1975–1984)
- William Mann (1985)
- Amelia Freedman MBE (1986–1993)
- Nod Knowles, Nicholas Kraemer and Jolyon Laycock (1994)
- Tim Joss (1995–2005)
- Joanna MacGregor (2006–present)
Bath Festivals
The Bath International Music Festival is organized by Bath Festivals Ltd, a long-established charitably registered independent arts company with charitable status.[4] Bath Festivals Ltd also run the Bath Literature Festival, as well as a year round arts-in-education programme and a box office. It receives core funding from Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) and Arts Council England. Other key sources of income are ticket and other sales, contributions from trust funds, private donors and a range of commercial sponsors.
Since 1981, the Bath Fringe Festival has taken place at the same time as the music festival providing alternative forms of entertainment.
References
- ^ "The Third Bath Assembly — Festival of the Arts". The Canberra Times. 18 April 1950. http://ndpbeta.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2775834. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
- ^ Bullamore, Tim (1999). Fifty Festivals. Mushroom Books. ISBN 978-1-899142-29-3. http://www.mushroompublishing.com/fiftyfest/ff_conts.html. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ Thwaite, Emily (4th April 2008). "Anniversary for music festival". Gazette (Newsquest Media Group). http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/2167913.anniversary_for_music_festival/. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "Charity Overview". Charity Commission. http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ShowCharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=801617&SubsidiaryNumber=0. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
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