Nine years ago, the idea of an annual classical music festival in Martinborough may have seemed far-fetched. Not anymore.
The inspiration for this year’s festival – bringing the world to Martinborough – says it all.
The recent highly-successful launch demonstrated the virtuosity of musicians and magic of chamber music.
Festival organisers – all volunteers – are resolute. They are well on track to achieving their goal of making this “the best little chamber music festival in New Zealand.”
In mid-September, the ninth Festival will welcome audiences to the pleasures of hearing talented musicians playing beautiful, lively classical music in Martinborough Town Hall.
“Nine years of happy performers and concertgoers alike prove the Martinborough festival has become a firm favourite, with significant numbers of out-of-town visitors attending annually,” says Sharon Cuzens, the Festival Director.
Artists are coming from as far afield as U.K., Germany and Australia, performing a programme that includes composers from Hungary, France, U.S., Russia, Argentina and New Zealand.
An unmistakable sign of the festival’s success is the regular return of many artists, both local and overseas. Importantly, the close-up nature of the venue means the audience enjoys seeing the interaction between players – a little smile might be acknowledging a difficult passage safely delivered!
The town hall auditorium is acknowledged for its excellent acoustics. Players and concertgoers alike comment on the overall clarity of the sound and sightlines.
Concert-goers also appreciate that they can choose to book ‘close up’ floor-level seats or raked seating rising to the rear wall.
Visit the festival website www.martinborough musicfestival.co.nz for programme and player details. Advance bookings are available now for mailing list subscribers, and public sales open on Sunday, 1 July. Join the mailing list from the festival website if you want to get in early.
Performance times: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 19 September; 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 20 September; and 2:00 p.m. Sunday 21 September. Experience shows it’s unlikely there will be many – if any – last minute seats available.
