Conwy Classical Music Festival 2024

The 2024 Festival continued the success of the 2023 Festival by attracting large audiences, with the church once again filled to capacity on many occasions. Concertgoers were treated to the whole range of both vocal and instrumental styles from more than five centuries of classical music. As usual, performers from North Wales were very well represented in the programme, but many leading musicians from further afield featured too.

Highlights of the week included the well-chosen and thought provoking recital by the King’s Harpist, Alis Huws (pictured), the effervescent performance of the Festival Orchestra, the ever-popular Opera Evening showcasing some of Wales’s finest operatic talent, the authentic performance of 17th century lute songs curated by Dowland’s Foundry, and the concert combining classical and folk music in an imaginative reimagining of classical music presented by David Edward and Garwyn Linnell of the Magic Tree Collective. Works by Frank Bridge, a vastly underrated figure in 20th century music ran as a thread through three concerts, namely his Suite for Strings, his String Sextet in Eb major, and his Three Idylls for String Quartet, serving to confirm that his work is ripe for rediscovery by a wider audience. Conwy’s own Christina Mason-Scheuermann participated in three concerts, in particular bringing her own special magic to performances of Mendelssohn’s Trio in D minor and Glinka’s Grand Sextet.

All in all, a wonderful week of live music. Roll on July 2025!