Classical Vauxhall: Fiachra Garvey's festival is back with everything from Fairytales and Fantasy to Classical Soul.

Fiachra Garvey, co-founder and artistic director of Classical Vauxhall (Photo: Frances Marshall)

Classical Vauxhall is returning for the fifth year with a weekend of events in and around Vauxhall from 29 February to 3 March 2024. Artistic director, pianist Fiachra Garvey kicks things off with a recital entitled Fairytale and Fantasy with music by Ravel, Stravinsky, Debussy and Frank Bridge along with the Gaelic Fantasy by Irish composer Rhoda Coghill (1903-2000).

Violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster gave a recital at Classical Vauxhall's 2021 online festival, and for 2024 they are returning in person for a programme which moves from sonatas by Mendelssohn and French composer Mel Bonis (1858-1937) to their #UriPosteJuxebox will feature a smorgasbord of greatest hits from their hugely successful online YouTube channel, which was their brainchild during the days of Covid lockdowns. Expect everything from Bach to Elton John.

Saturday evening its the turn of singer/songwriter China Moses who will be joined by group of Classical musicians on the piano, violin, cello, and bass for Classical Soul. Things come to a conclusion on Sunday with a capella vocal ensemble Apollo 5, an ensemble that has previous given vocal workshops to schools in Vauxhall as part of Classical Vauxhall, performing everything from William Byrd to Hubert Parry to Ola Gjeilo and more.

There are also family concerts when Chineke! Wind Quintet is joined by actor Adjoa Andoh for Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, whilst historic dance expert Mary Collins will be giving an historic dance workshop with the Vauxhall Band, taking participants back in time to the Georgian and Victorian dance halls. 

As well as the festival weekend, Classical Vauxhall is holding an Overture Day in partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra offering orchestral skills activities for free to 60 young musicians from Vauxhall and Lambeth, where participants play alongside LPO musicians. And with London Festival Opera, Classical Vauxhall is offering Opera Magic workshops to schools.

Full details from the Classical Vauxhall website.