Coffee and cream of rising music stars

Just nine days to go until the 68th King’s Lynn Festival begins its two-week run on Sunday, July 15.

Included in a packed programme are morning coffee concerts, featuring an exciting line-up of rising musical stars.

The five concerts are staged from July 23-27 and their popularity is reflected at the box office, where the hour-long events are close to being sell-outs.

Award-winning Polish cellist, Marcin Zdunik, the festival’s artist in residence, will be involved in two of the morning events at Lynn Town Hall.

One will be with the Aurea Quartet, who are also playing at a Sunday afternoon concert at Westacre Theatre on Sunday, July 22.

Marcin will also team up with in-demand accompanist and soloist Jams Coleman.

Festival artist director, Ambrose Miller, said: “One of the Festival coffee concerts will feature Anglo-Korean violinist, Eunsley Park, who is making musical waves across Europe.

“Another will be given by Romanian virtuoso pianist George Todica.

“George started winning competitions at 13 and played with an orchestra at 14.”

The series will conclude with a visit from the Consone Quartet, which is rapidly establishing a major international reputation.

Coffee and cake is served at 10.30am prior to the 11am concerts.

The Town Hall will also be the setting for the annual visit of Contemporary Consort, who will be joined by guest composer Roxanna Panufinik, who will talk about her work on July 16 at 6pm.

Lynn will welcome back two more highly-talented musicians who thrilled the Festival audience at last year’s recording of Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Vladimir and Anton are duelling violinist brothers who return with another virtuoso performance featuring traditional chamber music by Vivaldi, Bach and Shostakovich, as well as their own arrangements of well-known songs including If I Were a Rich Man and Puttin’ on the Ritz.

Their show for all ages is at St George’s Guildhall on July 26 at 7.30pm.

The festival begins on Sunday, July 15, with a performance by The Halle, under conductor Stephen Bell and featuring Joseph Moog on piano, at 7.30pm at the Corn Exchange.

Tickets for festival events can be purchased from the Corn Exchange box office on 01553-764864 or by visiting www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk