What a line-up we have for you this year! Some big ideas, certainly: Solomon’s Knot with more Bach (after that astounding staged St Matthew in 2023); counter-tenor royalty Iestyn Davies with Fretwork in a Gibbons anniversary programme; sparkling and stylish Hilary Cronin and Sam Boden in a French Baroque spectacle.

But in a festival like this, it’s the smaller-scale that sometimes packs as much of a punch so I’m delighted to bring you four artists new to Stour. Apollo’s Cabinet I loved at the York Early Music Young Artists competition last year, similarly the German wind band, Hanse Pfeifferey, June 20-22, piping us into the concerts with rare to hear slide trumpet, shawm and more - see brochure front cover! The Gesualdo Six bring us the utter refinement and flamboyance of 200 years of English vocal music. There’s also jazz in the tent (vocal and instrumental this year).

My highest personal musical ecstasy last year was watching ApotropaïK - a young French ensemble that transports you back to medieval France. Mesdames et messieurs: this is the real thing, a nightingale of the middle ages centuries come to life in a Kent field. An engorged I Fagiolini is back with some completely unheard and jaw-dropping multi-choir music, and we finish with unknown Bachs, glorious Mendelssohn (and even S.S. Wesley) on the final afternoon. We so look forward to seeing you again!

Robert Hollingworth - Artistic Director

We look forward to welcoming you to our 64th Festival!