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.'

Artistic Director Thomas Hull says, 'The 2026 lineup features music from across the ages performed by some of the world’s finest artists.'

Star saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam will make her festival debut performing both with her own groundbreaking ensemble and in concerto with our Festival Academy Orchestra. Other debutants include pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason with a beautiful, varied solo recital programme. Superstar countertenor Iestyn Davies will perform a programme of music old and new with Fretwork. Leading baritone James Newby’s recital is inspired by the BBC’s Shipping Forecast, and fast-rising violinist Benjamin Baker performs all six of Bach’s Partitas and Sonatas for solo violin. The Tallis Scholars open the festival with a glorious programme of music linked to the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, and period ensemble Florilegium perform all 6 Brandenburg Concertos. Piano phenomenon Marc-André Hamelin will appear both in recital and in concerto with our Festival Academy Orchestra, and chamber music lovers will be treated to the world-renowned Pavel Haas Quartet and The Nash Ensemble of London. Every year since 2008 we have created our Festival Academy Orchestra by inviting leading professional orchestral players to sit alongside advanced students selected by audition from the nation’s conservatoires. .Their three concerts include popular symphonies by Beethoven, Schubert and Dvoräk, and concertos by Brahms (Marc-André Hamelin), Anna Clyne (Jess Gillam), and Barber, whose violin concerto will be performed by the orchestra’s leader, Ruth Rogers.

Our ever-popular Young Artist Lunchtime Series is a showcase for classical music’s brightest emerging talent, and we are delighted to welcome the multi-award winning pianist Antoine Préat, the Hyde Clarinet Quartet from the Royal College of Music, Royal Overseas League Gold Medal winner Ewan Millar (oboe), and tenor Sebastian Hill."

Jessica May, Co- Director says: 'Our 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, supported by a crack admin team and the incredible generosity of our community and wider audience, will ensure that the Chipping Campden Music Festival will continue to attract the world’s greatest musicians and maintain its reputation as 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