Booking opens on 11 April for the 25th Oundle International Festival, a programme of over 30 events, more diverse and adventurous than ever before. Substantial discounts can be had on tickets bought during the Early Booking period which ends on 9th May.

The Festival runs from 10 – 19 July and featured artists include celebrated cellist Natalie Clein with the European Union Chamber Orchestra; the hugely popular Baroque band Red Priest; jazz-folk star Gwyneth Herbert; flamenco jazz-guitar virtuoso Eduardo Niebla; the Sofia Orthodox Choir from Bulgaria; pianist Libor Novacek; internationally renowned counter-tenor Derek Lee Ragin; the Doric Quartet; writer Judith Allnatt; and The Bootleg Beatles and The Manfreds performing at the Festival’s popular open-air fireworks concert.

Janácek’s opera ‘The Cunning Little Vixen’, sung by nine top professional opera singers plus professional orchestra, is produced as a Community Opera with local amateur singers and children taking minor roles and singing chorus. Directed by Alastair Boag, formerly of Opera East, with Music Director Alexander Walker, who works regularly at the Royal Opera House, the opera receives three performances in St Peter’s Church, Oundle.

Children’s events include a performance from Illyria of ‘The Three Musketeers’; The New London Chamber Ensemble; Travelling by Tuba; and a ‘Woofyt’ workshop (don’t know what a ‘Woofyt’ is? Apart from anything else it’s a lot of fun and great entertainment!)

Plus there is hilarious open-air theatre from Oddsocks with their own irreverent interpretation of Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’; organ recitals from distinguished organists including David Sanger and Anne Elise Smoot; and an Exhibition of Paintings by Crispin Heesom and Simon Dolby.
In its own 25th Anniversary Year, the Festival also plans to honour the anniversaries of Purcell, Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn and Martinu though wide-ranging programming throughout the week.
Tickets and a free brochure are available on 01832 275109; online at www.oundlefestival.org.uk, or in person from Oundle Tourist Information Centre.