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LinkedinMartin Cunningham invites us to enjoy world-class music in a beautiful village with the 65th Little Missenden Festival, 3rd to 12th October
Little Missenden Festival of Music and the Arts: A Community Celebration Since 1960
The village of Little Missenden has proudly hosted its Festival of Music and the Arts every October since 1960, except in 2020. This year marks the 65th anniversary. From the beginning, the Festival has been deeply rooted in the local community. Most attendees come from nearby, and villagers warmly welcome performers with food and accommodation.
The Magical Setting of St John the Baptist Church
At the heart of the village and the Festival lies the 10th-century church of St John the Baptist. This historic building features medieval wall paintings of national importance, creating a magical and timeless atmosphere. The church’s small and intimate space offers perfect acoustics, allowing every note to resonate clearly. This results in spellbound audiences and delighted performers.
Artists often praise the venue. Mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston called it “such a glorious space for music making.” Composer Richard Causton described the Festival as “a real beacon” during challenging times. Rory McCleery from the Marian Consort said it’s “a very special acoustic and atmosphere, helped by your lovely audience!”
Diverse Programme Featuring Classical, Jazz, and Folk Music
Run entirely by volunteers, the Festival offers a wide range of artistic events, emphasizing classical music from different eras and places. It also includes jazz, folk, talks, and poetry. This year’s programme runs from Friday 3rd to Sunday 12th October and promises a rich variety of sounds:
- 17th-century virtuoso Italian music
- Jazz with Zoe Rahman
- British string quartet music paired with poetry about nature and landscape
- Piano music by African composers
- Concerts celebrating anniversaries of composers Dmitri Shostakovich and Orlando Gibbons
- Music exploring English and Arabic folk connections
- Chamber concerts for piano trio and wind ensemble
Festival Highlight: Stile Antico’s 20th Anniversary
A standout event will be the vocal group Stile Antico, performing a programme of Renaissance favourites to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The Festival concludes in December with a joyful programme of subversive Christmas music from Oliver Cromwell’s England.
The Festival brochure is available from July and tickets from early August. More information can be found on the website at here and on the Festival’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/littlemissendenfestival. There are also frequent Festival updates on Bluesky, click here.
To read more about your area, click here.
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