A trio of world class musicians are to appear at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) in Oswestry next month – to headline a taster concert which launches the Whittington International Chamber Music Festival.
This year marks the fourth running of the annual festival, which has already established an international reputation for the quality of the performers it attracts.
Twelve musicians have been booked for the six-day festival, which will run from 17 to 22 May – and three of those are visiting Shropshire two months early for the special launch event on Friday 11 March, which is raising funds for the RJAH Hospital Charity.
Festival Chairman Lawrence Mortimer said: “Whittington Music Festival is now firmly established as a major annual fixture in the region’s Arts calendar, and this year’s Launch celebrates the fact with a significant charity event.
“The famous Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital is barely a mile from our festival venue, and we are delighted they have agreed to host us and be our beneficiary.”
The musicians at the launch include the festival’s Artistic Director, cellist James Barralet. With him are Tim Crawford (violin) and Rosalind Ventris (viola).
They will be playing pieces by Schubert and Mozart. The special concert will also feature the 14-strong Welsh singing group Ar ôl naw. Consultant Physician Dr Mark Garton has helped organise the fundraising launch event and has also agreed to become a patron of the Festival.
Dr Garton said: “This is the third time now that we have staged a concert in the Main Entrance at the hospital, but the first time we have linked up with the Whittington International Chamber Music Festival.
“Previous events we have staged have proved popular with staff and patients alike, and we hope that will be the case once again. We have a talented line-up of performers and it promises to be a night to remember.
“We are grateful that the Festival organisers have chosen to support us here at RJAH, and I hope a lot of money is raised on the night. That will all go towards improving the care and experience we offer to all of our patients.”
The Hospital Charity Concert is open to the public. Tickets, priced at £15, are available from the hospital post office, from Rowanthorn (Old Chapel Court, Oswestry), or online from the Whittington Music Festival website: www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk/launch-concert
Shropshire Live is regulated by 