Lichfield Festival 2009

The 2009 Lichfield Festival offers an even wider range of music and other arts events this year from Thursday 9th until Sunday 19th July at Lichfield cathedral and the Garrick Theatre, Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Highlights include the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, popular classical singing stars Alfie Boe and Elin Manahan Thomas, and Deep Purple organist Jon Lord.

Other major artists appearing include comedian Sandi Toksvig, The Sixteen choir conducted by Harry Christophers and festival favourites The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

The Lichfield Festival opens on Thursday, July 9, with a sparkling concert in the Lichfield Garrick Theatre by jump 'n' jive singer and saxophonist Ray Gelato and The Giants. It closes in Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday, July 18, with the CBSO, followed by the traditional Festival Firework Finale.

Tickets prices vary depending on event, some are free, they can be booked in person at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre, by phone on 01543 412 121, or online by clicking here.

The main events of the 2009 Lichfield Festival:

Thursday, 9th July: Ray Gelato & the Giants - Opening night at Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

Friday 10th July: Opera Gala – with tenor Alfie Boe, soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and bass David Kempster and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, conducted by Martin Yates. Lichfield Cathedral.
Sandi Toksvig - Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

Saturday 11th July: Georgian Market – the Cathedral Close.
The Great Voices of Bulgaria – Lichfield Cathedral.
Oi Va Voi – Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

Sunday 12th July: Dreamfighter – The Taplow Choir and the Scottish Ensemble perform a fstival-commissioned work by Tim Sutton, based on tales by Ted Hughes. Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
Mantra performed by the Orlando Consort and musicians including tabla-player Kuljit Bhamra. Lichfield Cathedral.

Monday 13th July: Australian String Quartet – Lichfield Cathedral.
All Classical Music Explained with Rainer Hersch - Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

Tuesday 14th July: Ukulelescope – The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain returns to Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
Gospel Night – Black Voices blend Gospel with Caribbean and African influences and lead a community choir project with Lichfield Festival Chorus. Lichfield Cathedral.

Wednesday 15th July: Ukulelescope – The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain returns to Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
Fyfe Hutchins – Lichfield Cathedral.
Seven Elements – the fourth and final year of a Lichfield Festival commission from composer Alec Roth and librettist Vikram Seth. James Gilchrist is the tenor soloist. Lichfield Cathedral.

Thursday 16th July: Bright Orb of Harmony – part of The Sixteen's Choral Pilgrimage 2009. Lichfield Cathedral.

Friday 17th July: Jon Lord – The organist from Deep Purple brings his band and will also play the Cathedral organ. Lichfield Cathedral.
Joe Stilgoe Trio – Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

Saturday 18 July: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra – Stephen Hough will be playing Tchaikovsky’s second piano concerto and the programme also includes works by Ravel, Mahler and Debussy. Lichfield Cathedral.
Moishe's Bagel – Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

Plus: Concerts by the Elias String Quartet, the Barbirolli Quartet and the Badke Quartet, recitals by tenor Nicholas Mulroy, pianist Néstor Bayona Pifarré, violinist Charlotte Scott, pianist James Baillieu, and cellist Christian Elliott, among others.

There is also theatre by SharpWire and The Happiness Patrol, talks about Kew Gardens and Charles Darwin, Travelling Picture Show films for children, and education projects.

The majority of the concerts and other events take place in Lichfield's medieval cathedral and in the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. There will be other performances in Lichfield district and around Staffordshire.

More information will be here when available.

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