Festival of Nations Review 2009

Italy Celebrates British Music in Umbria

The annual Festival of Nations at Città di Castello in Umbria is celebrating British music with performances of a wide range of works by composers from Purcell and Locke to Elgar and Gustave Holst.

Admirers of Benjamin Britten and his lesser-known master, Frank Bridge, have the opportunity to hear rarely-performed chamber music. Festival performances take place in stunning venues in and around the beautiful Renaissance town.

Festival of Nations - Homage to Great Britain

The vast church of San Domenico in Città di Castello was decorated with red, white and blue floral tributes in homage to Great Britain for Wednesday's inauguration concert by I Filarmonici del Teatro Comunale di Bologna under the baton of young English conductor Peter Selwyn.

Elgar's Serenade opus 20 and Holst's popular St Paul's Suite were given eloquent performances in the church's resonant acoustic. A seamless, sparkling performance of Suk's infectiously melodic Serenade opus 6 (written in the same year as the Elgar) made for a perfectly-balanced program, received with great enthusiasm. An encore of the delightful Playful Pizzicato from Britten's Simple Symphony provided icing on the cake.

Festival of Nations is less well-known abroad than other Umbrian musical events such as Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto and Umbria Jazz in Perugia. Now in its 42nd year, it has a distinct personality and an inspired, adventurous director in Aldo Sisillo of Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavorotti in Modena.

Festival of Nations - Master-classes - Calpurnia Award

Master classes for gifted students are held each year in conjunction with the festival and there is a competition for participants, with a cash prize for the winner and a prestigious recital date for the following year's festival.

The winner of the 2008 "Calpurnia Award", created in collaboration with Fontecchio Thermal Baths, was viola player Luca Guidi who was joined on August 28 by pianist Stefano Bezziccheri for a recital at the Baths. Guidi has a rich, warm tone which was perfectly complimented by Bezziccheri's supremely sensitive playing.

The introspective Reflection by Britten was followed by an attractive account of Bridge's Berceuse, Serenade, Elégie & Cradle Song and the beautiful performance of Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata D. 821 was spacious and perfectly balanced. There was a poignant encore in the lovely slow movement from a concerto by 18th century Czech composer Johann Benda.

I Solisti Veneti under amiable director Claudio Scimone, were warmly welcomed back to Festival of Nations on August 29 to explore Handel's Italian roots. Music by Handel, Corelli and Vivaldi was given the polished, committed performances to be expected from this distinguished ensemble who play 17th and 18th century music using modern instruments. Oboist Paolo Grazia excelled particularly in a memorable performance of Albinoni's Oboe Concerto opus 9 no 2.

Festival of Nations - Tokyo Quartet, Hilliard Ensemble, Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini

The festival of Nations continues until September 5 with performances by the renowned Tokyo Quartet, the Hilliard Ensemble, I Solisti di Perugia and others. The acclaimed British viol consort Fretwork is joined by mezzo-soprano Clare Wilkinson, for what promises to be a rewarding evening of English music in the breathtaking Oratorio San Crescento in the village of Morra, near Città di Castello.

English band Fairport Convention play for a free al fresco concert in Piazza Matteotti on September 2. The festival finale on September 5, in the church of San Domenico will be a late summer idyll: Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini play Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture and the incidental music to Shakepeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.