Next year will mark the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival which annually celebrates the works of the famous Victorian-era musicians.
In August, 17 days of 24 performances, 12 performing companies, a 24-piece orchestra and a jam-packed fringe programme can be enjoyed in the surroundings of Harrogate’s Royal Hall.
A special January opening
The festival organisers have announced what’s described as ‘their most ambitious programme to date’ which begins not with Gilbert and Sullivan as you might expect, but with an evening featuring the famous music of two of Sullivan’s contemporaries, Johann Strauss and Jacques Offenbach.
Saturday 6th January will ring in the New Year in the Harrogate Royal Hall with a programme called The Music of Vienna featuring the National Festival Orchestra, James Cleverton and Nicholas Sales (regular performers at the Royal National Opera House), and Sarah Helsby Hughes from Heritage Opera.
What to expect at the festival in August
The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival itself will open in Harrogate on 8th August and run until 27th August. It will feature performances from the entire Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire.
The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will present six new productions as part of the celebrations, including what’s said to be the first professional performance of Haddon Hall since the show was first written in 1892 by Sullivan and Grundy.
Group tickets
Tickets for the festival go on sale on 5th February. Groups of between ten and 29 people can enjoy a discount of 10% off the ticket price while groups of 30 or more receive a 15% discount.
Tickets are available at www.gsfestivals.org or from the Tourist Information Centres in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough.
