Glorious summer days of uplifting music at Cheltenham Music Festival. (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Higlights include singer Sarah Connolly, Handel, Elgar and Walton accomponied by actress Miranda Richardson, Steven Isserlis and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and many more.

10:10am Thursday 5th July 2012 in What's On

GLORIOUS summer days of uplifting music, unique performances and UK premieres started this week at Cheltenham Music Festival, now on until July 15. Cheltenham Music Festival is one of the country's finest classical music events. Established in 1945, Cheltenham annually draws on its prestigious heritage whilst providing a stage for the very best new classical performers and composers. Festival Director Meurig Bowen's programming makes the most of the Festival's Regency location with a huge range of performances in Cheltenham Town Hall, intimate chamber concerts in Pittville Pump Room, and a feast for the senses in cathedrals, abbeys and churches across the region. Some highlights of the packed programme include singer Sarah Connolly performing in Holst's Savitri the night after she opens the Proms; a concert of Royal Musical treasures featuring Handel, Elgar and Walton - narrated by actress Miranda Richardson; a grand finale celebration of London with Steven Isserlis and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Martyn Brabbins; a performance of Ravel, Chopin and Bach by classical music's boy-wonder - Benjamin Grosvenor; Melvyn Tan performing Ravel's G Major Piano Concerto with the Orchestra of the Music Makers from Singapore; a performance of David Fanshaw's African Sanctus - combining live performance with the recorded sounds of Africa; a family treat as author and Illustrator James Mayhew retells 1001 Arabian Nights - accompanied by the Orchestra of the Music Makers; a night of Tango & Klezmer featuring the sultry sophistication of the Fugata Quintet, and gypsy music performed with exhilarating abandon by She'Koyokh; Iain Burnside's staged musical biography of Ivor Gurney, A Soldier and a Maker; UK premieres by outstanding composers including: Judith Bingham, Alexander Goehr, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Hannah Kendall, John Tavener and Hugh Wood; tenor James Gilchrist and filmmaker Netia Jones in an English song recital with a difference; Musical Athletes: a series of talks on how the musical body works - and when it doesn't, how to fix it.

The full Festival programme is available to view online at www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/find-events Cheltenham Music Festival takes place in venues throughout Cheltenham and the Cotswolds. All tickets are available from the Cheltenham Festivals Box Office on 0844 880 8094 / cheltenhamfestivals.com