The Four Winds Festival Blows Through Bermagui
The 2014 Four Winds Festival is set to take place in Bermagui on the NSW south coast from April 17th- 2oth. Held every alternate Easter, the festival aims to spark diversity and excellence in the performing arts, offering opportunities to performers and audiences, developing venues and creating community partnerships.
Although the festival dates back to the early 1990’s, this is Paul Kildea’s first year as its Artistic Director. A former Young Artist at Opera Australia, Paul Kildea has conducted throughout Australia and Europe and for 4 years was Head of Music at the Aldeburgh Festival followed by artistic posts with the Perth Festival and Wigmore Hall, London, where he was Artistic Director.
A writer and scholar as well, Kildea is a specialist on Benjamin Britten about whom he has written several books. In January 2013 his major new biography, Benjamin Britten: A Life in the Twentieth Century was published to high acclaim.
This year also sees the opening of a new venue at the site in Bermagui’s Barragga Bay to complement the existing Philip Cox designed Sound Shell – the Clinton Murray designed Windsong Pavilion.
Performers at the 2014 festival include Australian violinist Richard Tognetti, Italian cellist Giovanni Solima, Croatian pianist Dejan Lazić and Chinese violinist Zen Hu. they are joined by composer Kate Neal, Kate Brown, Melanie Horsnell, the Michelle Nicolle Quartet and the Auric Quartet amongst others.
Highlights of the 2014 Four Winds Festival include:
– a recital by Giovanni Sollima which will include his own compositions as well as music by Giulio De Ruvo, Giuseppe Dall’Abaco and Francesco Corbetta;
– music by Adès and Neal including Adès’ Arcadiana, Herb Wharton’s recitation of poem set by Kate Neal and a new work by Nate Neal commissioned for Four Winds by Cliff Wallis and Sayaka Mihara;
– Dvořák’s Piano Trio No.4 ‘Dumky’ performed by Richard Tognetti, Giovanni Sollima and Dejan Lazic;
– and more, including works by Britten, Ligeti, Beethoven, Bartok, Mozart and Ravel.
Click here for full programme details and tickets.
