Classical Preview: Rossini’s Barber takes flight to world of Austen

THIS year’s Northern Aldborough Festival would dispel any thoughts of the arts being in a financial crisis, this small and pretty village close to Boroughbridge hosting a richly varied programme spread over 10 days.

Changing the inside of the church into a small opera house and concert venue, complete with stage and lighting, is the annual task for the opening night, this year offering a modern version of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.

Presented by OperaUpClose, the London-based chamber group’s refreshing view of opera changes Rossini’s location from Spain to life in Jane Austen’s world of rich bachelors living in Salisbury (June 16).

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Having departed from Sheffield’s Ensemble 360, The Elias Quartet have now ascended the musical league and are enjoying an acclaimed career in London where they recently held a residency at the Wigmore Hall.

They are joined by the outstanding young pianist Ilona Timchenko, in a programme of music including an adaptation of two of Mozart’s Piano Concertos (June 17).

Moving up in size, the Northern Sinfonia with Justin Doyle, the young conductor who made a remarkable impression as artistic director of the Ryedale Festival, brings with him music by Handel and Haydn. He will showcase this year’s winner of the Harrogate International Singing Competition (June 24).

The church at Rudding Park hosts the Cantores Missae Vocal Consort’s recreation of the Requiem on the Death of Empress Maria by Tomas Luis de Victoria (June 20).

Northern Aldborough Festival, June 16-25, 01423 900979.