Continuo Connect — Chipping Campden Music Festival

The Chipping Campden Music Festival, which began in 2001, has grown into one of the UK’s most prestigious festivals featuring some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians, who all love performing in the wonderful setting of St James’ church, described by Alfred Brendel as “One of the finest acoustics I encountered in my 60 year career.”

The 2024 Festival runs from 11th – 25th May, and is the first with Co-Directors, Thomas Hull and Jessica May at the helm.

Artistic Director, Thomas Hull, says: “We feel deeply honoured that Charlie Bennett and the Festival Trustees have entrusted us to take on the leadership of this world renowned festival. This year’s line-up includes many familiar faces alongside the new. Debutants include Pierre- Laurent Aimard, Marc-André Hamelin, Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy as a duo, Elena Urioste, The Gesualdo Six, The Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, Mahan Esfahani, Francesca Chiejina.

We welcome back the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Paul Lewis, Steven Osborne, Roderick Williams and Roger Vignoles, The Tákacs String Quartet, Sophie Bevan and the Aquinas Piano Trio.

The Young Artists Lunchtime Series consists of five concerts featuring the next generation of prize-winning musicians, all on the fast track to important international careers - trumpeter Aaron Azunda Akugbo with Ryan Corbett on accordion; pianist Ariel Lanyi, YCAT artist violinist Irené Duval accompanied by Sam Armstrong, Northern Reeds - the UK’s first established reed quintet - and mezzo soprano Alexandra Achillea Pouta, winner of the 2023 Guildhall Gold Medal, accompanied by the pianist Will Bracken.

The Chipping Campden Festival Academy Orchestra once again underpins the second week of the festival, with three varied and challenging programmes aimed to satisfy our audience, whilst helping to support the development of the next generation of orchestral players. We had a record number of applicants this year thanks to its burgeoning reputation as one of the forefront training schemes in this country. As co-founder of this scheme, along with Charlie and my wife, Ruth Rogers, I can’t begin to express my admiration of all the young musicians who come and audition, and the pride we all feel when we see them succeed around the world.”

Jessica May, Operations Director says: “Our shared philosophy - that it is, and always will be, all about the music - has fuelled the success of the Chipping Campden Music Festival and established itself in the eyes of both concert goers and performers as one of the loveliest in the British summer musical calendar. The music is paramount. Tom’s exquisite taste and countless connections in the international musical arena, along with the incredible support and generosity of our loyal audience, will ensure that the Chipping Campden Music Festival will continue to attract the world’s greatest musicians and maintain its reputation as a one of the best.”

“I love everything about the Chipping Campden Festival! I love the village itself; I love the church, with its serene atmosphere and beautiful acoustics; I love the way the audience listens with noiseless concentration, to every note one plays; and I love the way we musicians are treated by the administration of the festival. Playing at the festival is one of the highlights of my musical life” Steven Isserlis

“The Chipping Campden Music Festival brings world class artists – and also young musicians starting their professional journeys – to a wonderful venue. After a long lifetime as a performer, having the chance to be part of the audience and to hear concerts of outstanding quality in such a setting is the purest joy.” Bernard Haitink