Leading the evening will again be locally-based baritone David Owen Lewis, who has been a soloist and lead chorus singer with Opera North for many years, performing at Sadlers Wells, Leeds Grand Theatre, the Lowry Centre and houses across Europe.
Not initially trained as an opera singer, his career started in concert parties, pantomime and at the end of the pier. He relishes comic parts in work old and new, has performed Trouble in Tahiti in Wakefield Jail and is a highly renowned teacher. David will again be joined by his Opera North colleagues Victoria Sharp (soprano) and Justin Miles Olden (tenor) for an evening of "May-Time Magic". They will be accompanied on the piano by Gavin Bailey, who is also an accomplished soloist who has played in major houses in Britain and abroad.
As usual, the evening will fit with all moods and all tastes - from laughter to tears; from comedy to tragedy; from musicals to grand opera. The programme will all contain tunes you all know well to some you have never heard before. They will sung in languages you will know and others you might not. Featured will be a selection of music by Giacomo Puccini, whose work, including La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, are among the frequently performed around the world, from the Met in New York to Pennine Spring. Puccini, who lived in Tuscany from 1858 to 1924, had a passion for driving fast cars, and was nearly killed in a major accident in 1903. In 1909, there was scandal when his wife, Elvira, accused their maid Doria Manfredi of having an affair with Giacomo. The maid committed suicide. Elvira was successfully sued by the Manfredis. Giacomo, who was also a cigar chain smoker eventually killed by throat cancer, had to pay damages.
During the Monday's concert, David will be dishing out carnations in Spanish style. Vikki will be providing the glamour and sex appeal - as well as ravishing singing. Justin, as always will provide empathy and pathos. Gavin and David will take you on travels to the South Seas. They all hope that you will come and join them in a journey to the land of make-believe, magic and love.
At the other end of the week - Saturday lunchtime (May 31), the Colden-based violin virtuoso Martyn Jackson, who is now at the Royal College of Music in London, will be giving a recital of Beethoven, Ysaÿe and Paganini. He will be joined on piano by 21 year old Stephen Meakins, who is emerging at the forefront of young accompanists. As a soloist, he performs a wide range of repertoire, from Mozart to Alkan. He has played at the Steinway Hall (London), Positano International Music Festival (Italy), Zdar nad Sazavou (Czech Republic) and St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, Australia.
The festival will be directed for the third year by Bridget Budge of Leeds University and Leeds College of Music, with Halifax-born Elizabeth Taylor, a former Leader of Calderdale Youth Orchestra, leading the orchestra. Performers travel from all over Britain for a week of music making and playing in the beauty of the Pennines and hope you will come and join them.
For the whole week the festival is on, you can buy attractive gifts from the Traidcraft fair at the back of the church.
It promises to be a very extremely exciting Pennine Spring. There are still vacancies in both the orchestra and chorus. If you are interested in taking part in the Festival, or helping in any way, please do contact Jean Leach on 01422 843995.