BASSENTHWAITE FESTIVAL 29-30 MAY 2009

[AMK]

Now in its fifth year, the Bassenthwaite Festival is going from strength to strength, attracting audience from all over Cumbria and well beyond: Scotland, Cheshire, Kent. The Festival's own chamber group Ensemble Buxtehude (voices, strings, organ, harpsichord) always looks forward to this opportunity to present a weekend of concerts of beautiful Baroque music against the dramatic backdrop of Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake, and in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Friday 29th May, St John's Church, Bassenthwaite (on the A591), 7.30pm: an evening of rich and virtuosic music by Handel, whose 250th anniversary is being celebrated worldwide. Programme will include his exuberant psalm setting Dixit Dominus and the Cuckoo and Nightingale organ concerto.

Saturday 30th May, St John's Church, 12.30pm: lunchtime recital of Bach for cello and harpsichord.

Saturday 30th May, St Bega's Church, on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake (accessible from the A591, turn off at sign for Scarness), 7.30pm: an evening of French Baroque music by Charpentier, Couperin and Clerambault in the intimate setting of this charming 10th century church.

More info and very reasonably priced tickets available by replying to this post.