Latitude reveals a classical line-up

The Waterfront stage at Latitude will host performances from the Britten Sinfonia, the Irrepressibles and many others

As enduring images of mud-splattered, welly-and-bikini-clad revellers at Glastonbury takeover the headlines, our attention is captured by a different breed of festival: Latitude.

Conceived in 2006, the cross cultural four-day event is still in its infancy, but it is quickly establishing itself on the arts radar with its eclectic mix of poetry, literature, rock/pop/alternative bands, cabaret, comedy - and now classical music.

This year the line-up boasts mainstream acts including Nick Cave, Pet Shop Boys and Grace Jones, but also features an excerpt from Swan Lake courtesy of Sadler's Wells, Helen's Chadwick's Dalston Songs presented by the Royal Opera House, alternative orchestral delights from The Irrepressibles and a varied recital from the Britten Sinfonia.

The move comes as part of a recent shift towards programming contemporary classical work at typically unclassical festivals - last year, for example, saw Icelandic neo-classical composer Ólafur Arnalds showcasing his work at the Secret Garden Party and A Day At The Races.

Latitude - dubbed the 'middle-class' festival due to its broad emphasis on all the arts, not just pop music (aided and abetted by the fact that past sponsorship has included drinks manufacturer Pimms) - sowed the seeds of further cross-pollination last year when it featured composer Michael Nyman performing solo piano works in its Music and Film Arena. But this year it would seem that classical programming has blossomed further.

'Music that's being written today is hugely diverse and unlike it was even 20 or 30 years ago,' says David Butcher, Britten Sinfonia's chief executive. 'Audiences equally reflect that - those that want to see [Radiohead's] Thom Yorke and the Pet Shop Boys will also like to see the National Theatre as well as come along to see - hopefully - the Britten Sinfonia. We were delighted to be approached to perform at Latitude.'

The Britten Sinfonia will be the first orchestra to perform at the festival, playing two slots on the Waterfront Stage. The ensemble - which has worked with an enviable range of artists across the artistic spectrum, including cult oud player/vocalist Dhafer Youssef, Danish music collective Efterklang, composer Nitin Sawhney, choreographer Michael Clark, pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard and director Katie Mitchell - will be playing a varied collection of works over the weekend.

'We think hard about our programming,' continues Butcher. 'We're mixing Bach and Vivaldi with Piazzolla and Steve Reich - it may sound like a bit of a journey, but it's something we've done before and we think it's a lovely, upbeat collection - the old meeting the new and vice versa. Everyone will be standing up, and various members will be stepping forward to play concertos.'

And there will be no diva demands from any of the performers, either. 'All the players will be pitching up and they're really up for it!' Butcher adds. 'A couple of weeks after we're at the Proms [Prom 32, 9 August, Royal Albert Hall], the variety of music attracts new audiences and there's so many stages that orchestras can perform on now.

'At Latitude we're alongside Sadler's Wells, the Royal Opera House and The Irrepressibles - I just hope it doesn't rain!'

Composers Molly Nyman and Harry Escott (pictured, above) reveal their Latitude highlights for this year

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year's Latitude festival?
We have just seen that Thom Yorke is going to be performing a solo set - that has to be pretty special. Hjaltalin for their Icelandic magic. We are very keen to see what special offerings Ditto get to create for their piece on the Sunday. Simon Armitage, Clive Stafford Smith, Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds, Sky Larkin, the Britten Sinfonia and many things that we have not yet discovered but are sure to be raving about by the end of the weekend....

What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
The incredible variety of quality things to see and the beautiful Suffolk countryside... and Aspall cider

What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
We are bringing our band - The Samphire Band - a 12 piece chamber ensemble who feature on most of our film scores. In fact, this is going to be our first ever live performance with the band so the whole thing is going to be very special indeed for us and (hopefully) for anyone that comes to see us.

What do you always bring to a festival?
Camping chairs - not cool, we know, but, when it's raining...

Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Go and see something different - something that you would never in a million years go and see under any other circumstances - you might be surprised - how about a couple of film composers playing some of their scores with a 12 piece chamber group, accompanied by stunning visuals... for example.

Nyman and Escott will perform at Latitude on 19 July

For tickets to the festival, click here

• Print
• Email to friend
• Discuss