News Release:
New director steps in for 2005 Bach Festival
| 12/1/04 007/04 The Bach Festival, Armidale's premier music event, has a new director. She is Caroline Downer. Ms Downer takes the helm following the resignation of festival founder Dr Terry Norman, who has taken up a position with a choir in Somerset in the UK. Ms Downer, 33, of Armidale, is known within the New England region for organising the Australian international Recorder Festivals in Armidale in 2000 and in 2005. "I am delighted to be taking over as Artistic Director of the Bach Festival, " Ms Downer said. "Armidale is a wonderful cultural town, and the Bach Festival is certainly a quality event for the region, enhancing what is already a lively and active musical programme." For this, the second Bach Festival, being held for five days from February 12, Ms Downer has helped organise The Australian Brandenburg Ensemble to be playing for the first time with The Song Company. They will perform a selection of Bach pieces at St Mary's Cathedral on Friday, February 13 at 8pm. "The Bach Festival is thrilled to have enticed two of Australia's
leading period ensembles to perform in 2004." Ms Downer said. |
"Their performance together will include a number of Bach's cantatas, where Bach's genius is brought to the fore – words and music, vocal and instrumental combine for a magical experience." Ms Downer has already begun to plan for next year's Bach Festival. Along with Dr Norman, she has negotiated for international organist and harpsichordist Bob van Asperen to perform. Born in 1947, Bob van Asperen is one of the most well known specialists of early music for harpsichord, clavichord and organ, and is also known as a conductor and musicologist. He teaches master class for harpsichord at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. For the current festival, Ms Downer is cautioning music lovers to secure tickets early. "Last year some of the performances were booked out," Ms Downer said. "To avoid disappoint I urge people to purchase tickets soon. These can be bought from Readers Companion, Armidale." Prices range from $10 to $30 for adult, season ticket $160. Media contact:, Lydia Clifford, UNE, Public Relations, Armidale (02) 6773 2779, or Caroline Downer, 6775 2404. |
