Northern Aldborough Festival 2024

Aldborough is small but mighty. A once prosperous Roman capital, the bucolic village is now an unlikely epicentre for classical music.

Each summer, the Northern Aldborough Festival welcomes opera singers, acclaimed pianists, and jazz ensembles who mingle amongst the village’s remarkable collection of Roman artefacts and mosaics.

Nestled in quintessential countryside, audiences can step into the ancient village church and experience intimate concerts normally reserved for the cosmopolitan global stage.

Marking its 30th year in 2024, a charity, the festival’s mission is to bring a high-end live music to its rural location.

This year, there’s a focus on championing young classical talent.

The opening night sees 25-year-old Tom Fetherstonehaugh conducting Fantasia Orchestra, (made up of the UK’s most exciting young musicians), alongside pianist Alim Beisembayev, who at 23 won the last Leeds Piano Competition, performing Tchaikovsky and Chopin.

There’s also the return of its nationwide hunt for the best classical vocal talent. The New Voices Singing Competition (which launched last year), has a top prize of £5,000, and live semi and grand-final in front of a prestigious judging panel; it’s a unique opportunity to catch rising stars in their ascendence.

Other highlights include Armonico Consort with a semi-staged production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, leading British jazz pianist Julian Joseph, classically trained comedienne Amy Webber, and world-famous violinist, Viktoria Mullova.

Aldborough’s late-night venue ‘The Shed’ also returns for concert goers who want to continue festivities in a relaxed environment with a variety of live entertainment and refreshments.

The popular Last Night Outdoor Concert sees the UK’s biggest Queen tribute band, Majesty, perform to circa 1,000 festival-goers, who descend on the grounds of Aldborough Manor. Audiences are invited to bring a picnic and dance the night away, ending with a spectacular orchestrated firework display.