The stunning Devonshire village of Branscombe once again hosts some of the world’s top musicians with the fourth Branscombe Festival from Friday 29 – Sunday 31 July 2016.

The Branscombe Festival combines world-class musicians with an idyllic countryside setting. Over three summer days, leading classical and opera artists perform in the village’s most picturesque venues, with cream tea served on Saturday afternoon and a hog roast that evening.

The festival culminates in a free concert on Branscombe beach by the Camborne Town Band.

The Festival is curated by Ian Rosenblatt, BBC presenter Petroc Trelawny and renowned pianist Iain Burnside, with Petroc Trelawny presenting all concerts.

Located within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Branscombe Festival was launched in July 2013 by local resident Ian Rosenblatt. His aim was to mirror the ethos of the Rosenblatt Recitals by enabling audiences to experience leading international musicians in an intimate setting.

At this year’s festival:

• Internationally renowned early music vocal ensemble Marian Consort presents new concert and one-actor play, Breaking the Rules, about the life and music of composer and murderer Carlo Gesualdo. The young singers are joined by actor Finbar Lynch (29 July)
• Miss Hope Springs brings cabaret to Branscombe Festival for the first time, with a repertoire of witty, catchy tunes, all delivered at the piano, in her trademark Dusty Springfield beehive (29 July)
• Baroque music ensemble Florilegium performs intimate chamber works on period instruments (30 July)
• Harry the Piano, the performer likened to a human jukebox, takes the stage with his thousands of tunes, including most of the classical repertoire, jazz standards and pop chart hits since the 1950s (30 July)
• Dance band The Leo Green Experience teams up with singer Danny Toeman for a late-night gig (30 July)
• Soprano Serena Gamberoni and baritone Luca Salsi join forces for an opera recital, accompanied by pianist Michele Gamba (30 July)
• Cornwall’s famous brass ensemble, the Camborne Town Band, perform a free concert on Branscombe beach (31 July)

Ian Rosenblatt says: “I’m thrilled to announce that Branscombe Festival is back for its fourth year, with a packed weekend of opera, classical music and, for the first time, cabaret, all in this beautiful beachside setting.

"We’re welcoming the return of The Leo Green Experience with Danny Toeman and introducing newcomers: cabaret sensation Miss Hope Springs, soprano Serena Gamberoni and baritone Luca Salsi, and the famous brass ensemble Camborne Town Band, among others. We hope that people from near and far will enjoy everything that the festival and the surrounding area have to offer.”

Full programme information at: www.branscombefestival.co.uk

Friday 29 July, 7pm, St Winifred’s Church
Marian Consort

Friday 29 July, 10pm, Branscombe Village Hall
Miss Hope Springs

Saturday 30 July, 12 noon, St Winifred’s Church
Florilegium

Saturday 30 July, 3pm, Branscombe Village Hall
Harry the Piano
Optional cream tea available from 2.15pm

Hog Roast from 5.30pm

Saturday 30 July, 7.30pm, Branscombe Village Hall
Serena Gamberoni, Luca Salsi & Michele Gamba

Saturday 30 July, 10.30pm, Branscombe Village Hall
Leo Green & Danny Toeman

Sunday 31 July, 1pm, free concert on Branscombe beach
Camborne Town Band

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