Cheltenham Music Festival

About

Cheltenham Music Festival returns 6-13 July 2024 for eight days of incredible music. 

From world premieres at Cheltenham Town Hall to emerging talent in the Pittville Pump Room, the Festival will once again bring together music from across the classical spectrum, in venues across town.

The 2024 Festival is dedicating particular energy this year to one of Cheltenham’s most famous sons, Gustav Holst, on the 150th anniversary of his birth. In a selection of unique tributes to this beloved and gifted composer, his music will be performed and discussed in spaces he knew intimately.

Roderick Williams and Roger Vignoles will perform songs that evoke fairytales and stories of courtly love through music by some of Europe’s finest composers, alongside a brand-new piece by Cameron Biles-Liddell.

The Marian Consort will explore the sensory delights of flowers and gardens through the music of Spanish composers of the late Renaissance, with further pieces by Benjamin Britten and two premières by Laura Cannell and Leo Chadburn.

Alongside world premières and exclusive commissions of new compositions, Cheltenham Music Festival is also committed in 2024 - as in every year - to providing a platform for the musicians and performers of tomorrow.

In a set of talks and hybrid events across the Festival programme, questions about classical music’s place in our universe will be explored. In addition to the Holst lecture, Bach, The Universe and Everything will be a remarkable marriage between images of the cosmos and music from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, all brought together with insights from astronaut and special guest, Meganne Christian.

What is Cheltenham Music Festival?

Celebrated since its inception in 1945, Cheltenham Music Festival has become one of the UK’s leading classical music festivals, bringing together eight days of live music in the Regency spa town of Cheltenham each July. The Festival prides itself on encouraging a spirit of curiosity and welcoming bold performances. It is renowned for presenting world-class musicians in magnificent venues around Cheltenham and Gloucestershire. The festival is a champion for new music from UK composers and supports the incubation of new talent, and also operates extensive education programmes.

Cheltenham Music Festival is part of Cheltenham Festivals, an arts charity that creates experiences which bring joy, spark curiosity, connect communities and inspire change. Its year-round learning and participation and talent development programmes culminate in four world-class Festivals, offering everyone an opportunity to explore and create culture. Over 225,000 visitors a year are inspired by its Literature, Science, Jazz and Music Festivals.

Cheltenham Festivals is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. 

To follow along on social media check out - #cheltmusicfest @cheltmusicfest

View full programme and book tickets - www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/festivals/music-festival

For more unmissable events in Cheltenham check out our helpful guides - Cheltenham Festivals Guide & Cheltenham What's On Guide.

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