Stroud Art Festival

Stroud Arts Festival returns this autumn under the guidance of Artistic Director Dave Ayre. Expect world class musicians, performers and artists, both classical and modern. To pique your curiosity, we will be celebrating several anniversaries – do you recognise any of them?

• 100 years ago, a well-known and flamboyant English artist wrote his first musical revue for a famous actress and singer. Some of her most iconic performances
• 50 years ago, an English rock band released an iconic album. We will be bringing you an orchestral version, with an ensemble of classical musicians. It will be a great gig, you’ll want to make the time
• 50 years ago, an American jazz legend recorded the last in what he considered his most important works. Performed by an English classical composer and talented ensemble of performers. With a song and dance routine – and a well-known local conductor
• 20 years ago, a young English composer re-imagined the sacred classical choral mass. Creating a new work within a jazz setting. Performing over 100 times, his creation is brought to us by the composer himself, in a concert to include local singers

I hope this programme, with our subsidised and free ticket schemes, the Relaxed Performances and low ticket prices for under-18s gives everyone the opportunity to experience the joy of live performance.

We look forward to sharing some exciting performances with the people across the district of Stroud!

Among the highlights of the festival are:

• The Bristol Ensemble chamber orchestra delivering an exhilarating version of Pink Floyd’s iconic album Dark Side of the Moon, to celebrate its 50 year anniversary
• The London Tango Quintet presenting an evening of virtuoso music by the legendary Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla, interspersed with stunning instrumental solos
• Composer Will Todd invites local choirs to come and sing his Mass in Blue, celebrating the 20th anniversary of this exciting work
• A concert of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music, which he himself called, the most important thing I have ever done
• Superbly gifted” actor and singer, Lucy Stevens recreates the musical comedy of Gertrude Lawrence, one of Britain’s brightest theatrical stars
• Harpist Elizabeth Jane Baldry returns this year after a very popular event in 2022, with another score guaranteed to enthral
• Also back is relaxed opera, presenting a wonderful, inclusive new production by our own, unique ensemble of professional singers and musicians
• Celebrating so many anniversaries, as we build up to our own
• All tickets now available from stroudartsfestival.org.uk or The Sub Rooms