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Windsor Festival 2009
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picture of Virginia McKenna by Tommy Chandler
WINDSOR FESTIVAL SPRING WEEKEND 12 – 15 MARCH 2009 The fifth Windsor Festival Spring Weekend will take place at various venues around the Royal Borough from Thursday 12 to Sunday 16 March with a series of concerts, literary talks, family events, films and heritage walks, which provide a fascinating insight into the local area. Highlights include a performance of works by Mozart, Schubert and Dvorak in the newly refurbished Picture Gallery at Royal Holloway University of London on Friday, 13 March with Brian O’Kane, winner of the inaugural 2008 Windsor Festival String Competition. The Ensemble also includes Adam Newman, who won the Bow Prize, and Alasdair Beatson who accompanied them both at the competition. They will be joined by Bartosz Woroch for an evening of some well-loved chamber music. On Saturday, 14 March the Windsor and Eton Choral Society with the Southern Sinfonia conducted by Ralph Allwood will perform Bach’s Mass in B minor in the beautiful, historic surroundings of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The superb quartet of soloists will comprise soprano Natasha Jouhl; countertenor Clint van der Linde; tenor James Gilchrist and bass Dawid Kimberg. Literary Series The highly popular literary series, in conjunction with Waterstones, will continue with talks and book signings by well known authors and public figures. It starts on Thursday afternoon, 12 March, at Windsor Guildhall with Virginia McKenna presenting her new autobiography, The Life in My Years, which talks about how the Born Free movie changed the life of her and her husband inspiring them to set up the Born Free Foundation animal charity and work with orphaned children across the world. On Thursday, 12 March local Windsor crime writer Patrick Lennon will be in conversation discussing his books Corn Dolls and Steel Witches, and novelist Melvyn Bragg will be talking about his book Remember Me and the relationship between autobiography and fiction. Both Jane Wellesley and Simon Scarrow will be discussing the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, at a Literary Lunch on Friday, 13 March at the Sir Christopher Wren’s House Hotel, Windsor. Jane Wellesley, a direct descendent of the Duke, will present her book, Wellington: A Journey Through My Family, while historical novelist Simon Scarrow will talk about Wellington and Napoleon, and his latest book, Fire and Sword. Family Events Bookstart Bear is inviting all children aged up to five years and their teddy bears (and accompanying adults) to drop into Waterstones in Peascod Street, Windsor any time between 10am and 12 noon on Friday, 13 March for a free, fun-packed morning of stories, songs, rhymes and crafts plus a chance to pick up their free Bookstart books pack. And on Saturday, 14 March 3 - 12 year olds (plus an accompanying adult for under 5s) can join a morning of Kraft Werks! at the new Windsor Firestation Arts Centre with their regular art, music and dance teachers. Paint splatting, fabric plaiting, foot tapping and clay thwacking are all on the list of fun activities – early booking is advised. Films, Walks and Tours Tickets for two films at the Firestation Arts Centre are also being offered by the Windsor Festival Spring Weekend. Friday, 13 March sees a screening of Immortal Beloved which reveals Ludwig van Beethoven’s one true love while on Saturday 14 March The Full Monteverdi follows the simultaneous break-up of six couples. Four heritage walks are included in the programme; Bricks and Mortar on 12 March looks at the different types of architecture both ancient and modern around Windsor; the two outings on 13 and 14 March take in different aspects of the Crown Estate while on 15 March its back to Windsor to hear the fascinating stories of past residents in a walk entitled Local Heroes. Windsor Festival will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009. Founded in 1969 by the great violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Hunter as artistic directors, the Festival has presented events in St George’s Chapel and the State Apartments of Windsor Castle since its inception as well as Eton College and other venues around the Royal Borough. This tradition continues today with a varied programme of events, exhibitions and competitions creating one of the most vibrant, exciting and enjoyable festivals of its type. More Information and How to Book For information about the Windsor Festival Spring Weekend call 01753 740121 or visit www.windsorfestival.com. Postal booking opens 24th February; the website and online bookings will be live from noon on 25th February as will telephone bookings. Tickets can also be purchased from the Royal Windsor Information Centre in the Old Booking Hall at Windsor Royal Shopping (opposite the Castle) from 10am on 25th February. |
