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The 33rd annual Chester Summer Music Festival, once again, promises to be a great line up of established names and rising stars, set in the beautiful surroundings of Chester.

Artistic Director, Andrew Cornall, has once again put together a programme that showcases the finest in festival music - this year with a hint of France. At the heart of the festival remains the joy of choral music, whether it’s performed by international choirs – the Choir of King’s College Cambridge (with Faure’s Requiem) or the Tallis Scholars or performed by yourself in the BIG SING, the love of music for the voice will always be present throughout the two weeks culminating in a performance by our very own Chester Festival Chorus.

But that’s not all. For lovers of orchestral music, we have the European Union Chamber Orchestra with the stunning Nicola Benedetti as violin soloist in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Poet Andrew Motion will also be on hand to read new poems inspired by the pictorial music of Vivaldi’s great masterpiece, a must see concert. Also David Hill conducts the Opera North orchestra in Saint-Saen’s great Organ Symphony in the glorious ambience of Chester Cathedral.

There is a cabaret evening with Melanie Marshall, the re-formed Penguin Cafe bring their quirky and hugely entertaining music, Kathryn Tickell brings the beautiful sound of the Northumbrian pipes and an evening of the best folk music. We’ll hear chamber music concerts from the Heath Quartet, the guitar quartet Aquarelle and from Holland the wind ensemble Calefax. Our popular lunchtime concerts in St Mary’s Centre will run right through the festival showcasing some of the best young talent.

If you love inspiring music you’ll find something you want to see at this years festival, come and join in the fun.

website  http://www.chesterfestivals.co.uk/site/music-festival