Details of the tenth annual Clandeboye Festival (13-18 August) have been announced, with a host of new developments including a focus on engaging young people.

Barry Douglas

The programme of events at Clandeboye Estate in Bangor includes daytime and evening concerts in and around the Courtyard at Clandeboye, with Lunchtime Music in the Chapel, the Barry Douglas Recital in the Banqueting Hall, the Music for All -family concert- and the Festival Finale in the Courtyard marquee.

Clandeboye also provides the perfect backdrop for Festival Creator and Director Barry Douglas to present day and evening concerts by his Camerata Ireland chamber orchestra, international guest artists and other special guests who join him for this unique week in the Northern Ireland calendar.

The annual residential programme for the next generation of young classical musicians also continues this year.  So far over one hundred students aged 14-25 have come through the Young Musician’s Programme,  equipping them with the skills to take their studies and their careers on to the next level.

One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the celebration of ten former Clandeboye Young Musicians who, since their time at the festival, have gone on to establish successful careers as solo and orchestral musicians. They include Michael McHale, piano, Eimear McGeown, flute and Patrick Rafter, violin.

The 2012 Young Musicians’ Programme, will welcome another ten students who will benefit from Masterclass tutoring by Barry Douglas and his international guest soloists. Together they provide a unique mentoring opportunity for their students as well as performing for Clandeboye audiences each day of the festival.

The former Clandeboye Young Musicians will feature at the lunchtime concerts.  The 2012 students can be seen on the Thursday evening at 6.30pm.  This evening will also see the presentation of an award from the Ireland Fund of France.

Barry Douglas said: “I just love coming back to Clandeboye each year. I can feel the warmth and special atmosphere which makes everyone excited to be there. There is so much I want to share with audiences here - the international, charismatic artists who join me, and the brilliant young musicians who are the future stars of classical music. I love this combination and I love the fact that everyone feels at home at Clandeboye as artists and audiences mix and chat in and around the Courtyard.  It’s that sort of place where even if you are new to the festival, you will immediately feel at ease.”

This year Barry Douglas welcome back to the festival  Andres Diaz (cello) and Michel Lethiec (clarinet) and introduces Canadian Erika Raum (violin) to all that Clandeboye offers, on this her very first visit.  He will also welcome leading Irish soprano Ailish Tynan and Sharon Carty - mezzo soprano.

One of this year’s very special highlights is that Barry Douglas is treating audiences to A Night at the Opera, where he and his acclaimed Camerata Ireland orchestrawill be joined by Ailish Tynan and Sharon Carty for wonderful music and songs, including Oh mio babbino caro and I dreamt I dwelt in Marble Halls.

BBC Radio 3 will record part of the festival for future broadcast.

Rosa Solinas of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the festivals’ Principal Funder said: “The Clandeboye Festival continues to go from strength to strength each year, offering audiences a chance to experience world class chamber music through a lively and engaging concert programme.

Under the artistic leadership of internationally-acclaimed pianist, Barry Douglas, the festival provides an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the excellence and vitality of some of the finest musicians on the island of Ireland.”

This year for the first time, Barry Douglas and award winning composer Neil Martin, will present the Music For All family concert at Clandeboye. 

Barry Douglas commented: “This is a great way to introduce young people to all that great music can offer.   We have been working with hundreds of children in schools this year and have seen how they become completely absorbed with various exciting styles of music. We let them have fun with it and at this event we make sure that there is plenty there for their parents and grandparents to enjoy. It truly is Music for All generations.”

Under 16s are Free to attend this event.

For full details of what’s on at Clandeboye, visit www.camerata-ireland.com