World-renowned BBC singers are due to perform on the opening night of a festival returning for its 10th year.
The Celebrate Voice Festival runs from Thursday, October 19 to Saturday, October 28.
Founder and director, Lynsey Docherty said: "Bringing a British musical institution such as the BBC Singers in a year where they have featured in the world press is a momentous achievement for Celebrate Voice.
She added: “The festival line-up represents the high level of artists people have come to expect, and our new charity status reflects our commitment to bringing the best artistic experiences to our loyal audiences and our dedication to contributing to the cultural landscape of this wonderful city.”
There is a strong line-up for the event which includes award-winning jazz singer Natalie Williams with Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, having appeared as the festival’s first ever jazz artist. Stars from London’s West End (including former Christine in Phantom of the Opera, Zoe Curlett) create a specially curated evening for Celebrate Voice in Live at the Musicals.
And this year’s hit of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - Amy Webber brings her five-star sell-out show for cabaret and comedy night.
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The audience can enjoy the staging of Mozart’s Da Ponte opera trilogy this year with three performances of a new adaptation of Cosi Fan Tutte which is set in a British holiday camp in the 1950s.
Fred Broom’s new adaptation is inspired by the 1980s sitcom Hi-de-Hi! and will be sung in Italian with English subtitles.
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In addition to spectator events, there will also be opportunities for visitors to join in a workshop with the BBC Singers or to enjoy a singalong with leading opera singers. Most events are held at the Salisbury Guildhall in partnership with Salisbury City Council.
The festival includes BAFTA-winning Guy Masterson presenting a one-man version of Dylan Thomas’s play Under Milk Wood, and Amy Webber performing her five stars ‘sell out’ Edinburgh Fringe show as part of a comedy and cabaret night with Adam Drew.
Organisers say the festival’s opening weekend of sales have broken all previous records, with increased membership, which the festival hopes points to a wider cultural upturn in arts support in the city.
It also celebrates becoming a charity in its 10th year.
For more information, visit celebratevoice.co.uk
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