Trasimeno Music Festival | Martin Randall Travel

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One of the most acclaimed pianists of today, Angela Hewitt inaugurated her own music festival in the heart of Italy in 2005. She bought land overlooking Lake Trasimeno, and built a house as a retreat from her gruelling concert tours. The idea of a festival in the vicinity emerged and with characteristic energy Hewitt made it a reality, charming local officials into giving the necessary permissions and enlisting their enthusiastic support. For her festival, she gathers around her artists of international standing, and as they make music together the atmosphere created is one of complete enjoyment for performers and audience alike.

Our group stays in a comfortable 5-star hotel in the centre of Perugia. There are excursions to such significant towns as Montefalco and Assisi, as well as time to explore Perugia itself.

Concerts take place in the courtyard of the castle belonging to the Knights of Malta in nearby Magione, as well as in the Basilica di San Pietro, the San Francesco al Prato Auditorium and the Oratorio di San Francesco dei Nobili in Perugia. This iteration of the festival also features Simon Schama as its special guest, in an interview which dwells on his view of current events, as well as how art and artists have influenced the course of world events.

Day 1

Fly at c. 8.00am from London Heathrow to Rome Fiumicino and drive to Perugia. Attend a Gala Dinner in the cloisters of the Accademia di Belle Arti, often hosted personally by Angela Hewitt. Opening concert at the San Francesco al Prato Auditorium, Perugia with Orchestra da Camera di Perugia, Angela Hewitt (piano/leader), Jaeden Izik-Dzurko (piano), Chiara Biagioli (piano): Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K.467; Brahms, Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56b; Ravel, La Valse; Bach, Concerto for four pianos in A minor, BWV1065.

Day 2

Perugia. There are major works of art and architecture to see in Perugia including the two merchants’ halls, one with frescoes by native artist Perugino. Evening concert at the Castle of the Knights of Malta, Magione with Jordi Savall (viola da gamba), Hakan Güngör (kanun), Dimitri Psonis (santur, lute, guitare moresc, percussion): programme to be announced.

Day 3

Montefalco. Visit Montefalco, a hilltop community with magnificent views of the valley below and hills around. In the deconsecrated church of S. Francesco are frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli. Evening concert at the Castle of the Knights of Malta, Magione with Esther Hoppe (violin), Christian Poltéra (cello), Angela Hewitt (piano): Bach, Violin sonata in E, BWV1016; Shostakovich, Cello sonata in D minor, Op. 40; Brahms, Piano Trio No.1 in B, Op.8.

Day 4

Gubbio. Spilling down a hillside and offering sensational views across Umbrian countryside, Gubbio is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient towns in Italy. The Palazzo dei Consoli houses the art gallery of the Museo Civico. Higher up, the Palazzo Ducale was built by warlord Federico da Montefeltro. Evening concert at the Castle of the Knights of Malta, Magione with the Valo Quartet: Purcell, Fantasias (selection); Szymanowski, String Quartet No.1 in C, Op.37; Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Guitar quintet, Op.143.

Day 5

Perugia. Some free time. Afternoon recital at the Basilica di San Pietro, Perugia; Rudolf Lutz discusses the Bach Cantatas performed in tonight’s concert, and is joined by Angela Hewitt for a session of improvisations on Bach. Evening concert at the Basilica di San Pietro, Perugia with Rudolf Lutz (conductor, organist, lecturer, composer), Peter Harvey (baritone), Miriam Feuersinger (soprano), Angela Hewitt (piano): Bach, Cantata BWV82 ‘Ich habe genug’; Cantata BWV199 ‘Mein herze schwimmt im Blut’; Cantata BWV32 ‘Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen’; Rudolf Lutz, Concerto a Quattro in A.

Day 6

Perugia. Some free time. Afternoon interview, Sala dei Notari, Palazzo dei Priori, Perugia: Sir Simon Schama, historian and special guest of the festival, is interviewed by Canadian broadcaster Eric Friesen.

Day 7

Assisi. Assisi is one of the most evocative of Italian towns, with its austere medieval streets and world-class paintings. In San Francesco, mother church of the Franciscan Order, is one of the greatest assemblages of medieval fresco painting, including the controversial cycle of the Life of St Francis. Closing recital at the Oratorio di San Francesco dei Nobili, Perugia with Angela Hewitt (piano): Bach, Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV830; Beethoven, Sonata No.14 in C-sharp minor, Op.27 No.2 (‘Moonlight’); Brahms, Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op.24. A late Gala Dinner in the gardens of the Oratorio follows the concert.

Day 8

Drive to Rome Fiumicino airport and fly to London Heathrow, arriving at c.5.00pm.

Dr Paul Max Edlin

Composer, Artistic Director, Performer. Paul has taught in universities for over 30 years, most recently as a professor and then as Director of Music at Queen Mary University of London. He has been Artistic Director of both Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival and Deal Music and Arts. He was also Director of International Composer Pyramid, which has supported some of the world’s finest young composers at the start of their careers.

His music, encompassing ballet, orchestral to chamber and instrumental to electronic, has been composed for and performed by some of the world’s finest musicians and ensembles.

He is a trustee of several arts charities, including Ora Singers, City Music Foundation, Cantoris Charitable Trust and China-UK International Music Festival. In 2022 he moved permanently to Tuscany so he could concentrate on his work as a composer.

Dr R. T. Cobianchi

Art historian and researcher specializing in Italian art and architecture of the Renaissance and Baroque. His interests also span from the iconography of the late Middle Ages to the sculpture of Neoclassicism.

Price, per person

Two sharing: £3,860 or £3,590 without flights. Single occupancy: £4,260 or £3,990 without flights.

Included

Tickets to 7 performances and one interview; flights (Euro Traveller) with British Airways (Airbus 321); travel by private coach; hotel accommodation as described below; breakfasts; 1 lunch and 5 dinners with wine, water, coffee (two of which are gala dinners with all festival participants, often hosted by Angela Hewitt); all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.

Music

7 concert tickets are included.

Accommodation

Hotel Sina Brufani Palace, Perugia: grand 5-star hotel 5 minutes’ walk from the main square with spectacular countryside views. Good restaurant, small indoor pool and roof terrace.

How strenuous?

There is quite a lot of walking, much of it on roughly paved and often steep streets and in very hot weather conditions. There are late nights throughout the tour, and most mornings start at 10.00am. Average distance by coach per day: c. 60 miles.

Are you fit enough to join the tour?