Handel's Theodora, John Casken's Lear & more: ambitious plans at Northern Aldborough Festival

Fflur Wyn outside St Andrew's Church, Aldborough

The Northern Aldborough Festival takes place annually in and around the 14th century St Andrew's Church in Aldborough in North Yorkshire. Under the artistic direction of Robert Ogden, this year's festival runs from 16 to 25 June 2022 and is one of the most ambitious yet.

There is a semi-staged production of Handel's Theodora with soprano Fflur Wyn in the title role, Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) as Irene, Lawrence Zazzo (counter-tenor) as Didymus, conducted by Julian Perkins and directed by Joe Austin. Still in operatic vein, Sir John Tomlinson (bass) and Rozanna Madylus (mezzo-soprano) perform John Casken's The Shackled King based on Shakespeare's King Lear (a role that Tomlinson played in an innovative production of the play last year at the Grange Festival). 

Other acts include an evening of jazz from Claire Martin, clarinettist Julian Bliss with pianist James Baillieu, pianist Clare Hammond, in Schubert, Stravinsky and Schumann, and guitarist Sean Shibe with Quator Van Kuijk.  As well as established names, the festival hosts a Young Artists Showcase, this year including harp and saxophone duo, The Polaris Duo, and Chinese American musician, Reylon Yount, who has introduced the unfamiliar instrument, the Chinese yangqin, to the world stage. 

Full details from the festival website