Whether you are an opera fan or simply love an evening of picnicking with friends in the magical Peto Garden at Iford Manor, the Iford Festival has something special for everyone. In its 15th season, Iford has become highly-respected among experienced opera-goers and newcomers alike.

From early June to mid August the annual Iford Festival will showcase three operas, Hansel and Gretel, Don Giovanni and Rodelinda, together with four jazz promenades and two classical concerts.

The creatives at Iford fancy themselves as talent spotters. Their young conductor, Oliver Gooch has just conducted Madame Butterfly with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, and he's coming back for his eighth Iford season this year, conducting Hansel and Gretel. The witch will be sung by one of the three Welsh tenors, Alun Rhys Jenkins. To top this, Iford's Hansel & Gretel can boast an intriguing new director this year, Will Tuckett, who also directs and choreographs at the Royal Opera House, and promises dreamy, evocative and sometimes demonic music – not to mention the cup cakes and puppetry.

Caryl Hughes, one of the hottest young opera stars on the national scene, when recently interviewed in the Daily Telegraph, hailed her experience at Iford last summer as the highlight of her career. I asked Judy, what lures these top professionals to little old Iford?

‘These are singers and players of such breathtaking calibre, so close and communicative that every subtle nuance tells you more. For the performers, at Iford there is nowhere to hide – this is a hugely tempting challenge for any brilliant performer and great directors love it even more.'

Intimacy is what makes Iford special. Operas are staged in-the-round to an audience of about ninety. The Peto garden has that other-worldly atmosphere. Its quaint terraces, topiary, ancient Italian carved stone and Venetian wrought-iron are captivating. For all performances the garden opens at 6pm for picnicking as the sun slants over the lawn on a summer evening. To sit under the arches of the tiny cloister, witnessing a close-up performance in the central square – which may be open to the sky in fine weather – feels such an extraordinary privilege.

‘To imagine that this is also a place where notable international musical careers are being nurtured is really satisfying' says Judy. ‘Look at Christian Curnyn. He's been coming here since the year 2000 when he was unknown outside London, but this year he'll bring down his harpsichord to conduct our Rodelinda after Handel opera seasons at Sydney Opera House and Chicago and numerous acclaimed recordings.  He says he's done some of his best work here and he can't do without his ‘Iford fix'.'

For very good reasons Iford is renowned for its opera, but also impresses with its jazz promenades. Jazz performances take place over the whole garden, as well as the beautiful cloister, with two or three bands performing at different times. The Pimms Bar makes for a perfect summer evening.

One of the highlights has to be the Friday Fiesta on 12th August, with latin jazz virtuoso Omar Puente headlining. The world-renowned Cuban violinist is best known for his extensive work with Courtney Pine, and will be performing at Iford with his own band which includes pianist Robert Mitchell. On the same night Claudia Aurora, a fadista from Oporto in Portugal, recently featured on BBC Radio 3, will perform her spine-tingling folk-blues torch songs in the cloister.

Despite the international feel of the festival, and Iford's ability to attract artists and musicians from all over the world, interestingly, operas at Iford are always sung in English, so you can follow the story minutely. Good news for opera virgins!

Whatever your preconceptions about opera you will be completely taken by surprise by what you see at Iford. Informality is something that Judy is keen to stress. ‘That's the lovely thing. There's no dress code. Everyone is genuinely welcoming, and nothing is too much trouble. And do you know what? The best thing is that it's a real romantic escape.'

Information:

Hansel & Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck will show at the Iford Festival from 18th to 28th June.

Friday Fiesta with Omar Puente and Claudia Aurora is on 12th August.

Rodelinda by George Frideric Handel from 29th July to 9th August

The Peto Garden, Iford Manor, Iford, Nr Bath, BA15 2BA

Tickets available from the box office (Theatre Royal, Bath) 01225 448844

For full information about the Iford Festival please visit the website: www.ifordarts.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/theater-articles/talent-spotting-at-the-iford-festival-4765833.html

Kerri Littlefield, Iford Arts