Introduction by Dr Roy Wales (Festival Director)

Dr Roy Wales

Rottingdean has a long tradition of artists, writers and musicians living in the village. As a local resident, I am delighted that it has proved possible for the first time to organise a two-week SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL for the benefit of the people of Rottingdean and the surrounding area.

The 18 Festival events cover many different styles of music and are being presented in 8 village venues. I hope there is something for everyone to enjoy as listeners and in some instances as participants.

I had various aims in mind when planning the programme. These include giving a performance shop window to some of the outstanding professional instrumental musicians living in the village, as well as the very enthusiastic amateur choral singers who will be involved in the Easter Choral Workshop and Rottingdean Festival Chorus.There is also a special Rudyard Kipling event which focuses on his Rottingdean years, poems and song settings.

I believe quite strongly that a Festival should aim to introduce something creative and new to the locality and I am therefore particularly pleased to welcome to the Spring Festival not only a number of talented UK performers, but also some outstanding overseas musicians. These include the Hungarian Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra who are visiting the UK just for our Festival, the opera singers Sally Porter Munro from San Francisco Opera and Paul Sherrell from Paris (ex Paris Opera), together with the very talented Japanese pianist Yoriko Wakabayashi and the gifted Ghanaian soprano Margaret Ferguson.

I am also pleased that we are able to include a World Music Concert in the Festival featuring Latin American, African and Hungarian music. The Festival therefore has quite a strong international presence which should make for an exciting musical experience.

Another musical theme is the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Chopin. The performance of his Piano Concerto No. 1 with Graham Caskie as soloist and the Hungarian Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra conducted by Stephen Ellery in St. Margaret’s Church on Thursday, March 4 should be a Festival highlight.

Finally, 3 events combine fine food with good music. I am hopeful that the Opera and the Sounds of Musicals Dinners in the Village Hall and the two Jazz at the Bistro Gourmand events will prove really popular and that those attending will enjoy not only the music but also the excellent food prepared by Rottingdean’s talented French chef, Frank Thomeret.

In conclusion, can I say in advance a big thank you to the sponsors, friends and patrons of the Festival and all the organisations and individuals who are supporting this new venture in any way. It is my hope that it will attract not only strong support from village residents, but that many people from outside Rottingdean will visit the village and attend various events. This will help to ensure that the Festival is a financial as well as artistic success and encourage us to organise a similar project in the future.