Highlights from 2024
​Last summer the festival showcased superstars and local stars, featuring artists ranging from international opera star Jennifer Johnston to genre-leading folk group Kabantu, whilst also celebrating Wirral’s finest composers and young performers. Audiences were presented with the best in chamber music at events all over Wirral, at community venues in Wallasey, Birkenhead, Upton, Eastham, Hoylake, Heswall and Neston: ​​​
Kabantu Heswall
Sponsor and Festival Friends Reception
The Little Fox
The Leenhardt Trio Eastham
Family Concert Neston
Wirral Composers Showcase Upton
A Soldier's Tale Wallasey
Festival Friends Reception
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Enjoy a glass of prosecco and an exclusive live performance by the Festival Players in the intimate atmosphere of The Little Fox. Meet the musicians and share the music with other supporters of the festival.
Tuesday 10th June, 6.30pm
The Little Fox, Thornton Hough
Festival Friends and Sponsors Event
Youth String Quartet Academy
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The festival's very own Youth String Quartet Academy offers you a chance to hear some of Wirral's most talented young string players, as they display the skill and passion they have developed for making music together.
Saturday 28th June, 11.30am
Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead
Tickets £0 - £10
Jazz in the Round
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Wirral-born, internationally acclaimed concert pianist Will Bracken presents a fresh take on soulful jazz favourites with his London trio, as well as dazzling with his incredible technique and creative flair in works for solo piano.
Saturday 28th June, 7.30pm
The Lighthouse. Heswall
Tickets £0 - £20
The Magic Box
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Step into the magic at our Family Show: a high-energy, interactive concert bursting with live music, imagination and fun! With storytelling, tunes and games it's the perfect adventure for kids. Come help us unlock the magic!
Sunday 29th June, 11.30am
St Peter's School, Heswall
Tickets £0 - £12
Best of Baroque
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World-class performers of early music, the London Handel Players return to Wirral with their favourite baroque masterpieces, in a programme that showcases both their intuitive ensemble playing and individual solo virtuosity.
Sunday 29th June, 7pm
Christ Church, Port Sunlight
Tickets £0 - £20
Generously supported by:
Alhambra!
Katona Twins
with the Festival String Quartet
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Don't miss this very special Wirral collaboration! Virtuoso guitar duo The Katona Twins join forces with the festival's own string quartet, led by Thelma Handy, for a programme bursting with Mediterranean flair and flavour.
Saturday 8th March, 7.30pm
The Lighthouse Church, Heswall
Adults £20 Students £8 Children Free
Includes interval drink
Christmas by Candlelight
Northern Lights
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Join the Festival Players for a very special candlelit Christmas, as they take you on a journey across Scandinavia with a wonderful mix of folk music, carols and classical festive favourites.
Saturday 14th December, 7.30pm
St Luke's, Hoylake
Friday 20th December, 7.30pm
St Mary’s and St Helen’s Church, Neston
Adults £18 Children Free
Includes interval drink and mince pie
Kantos Chamber Choir
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The trailblazing Kantos Chamber Choir open our summer festival with a programme full of genre-hopping and uplifting choral music that celebrates the world of dance and having a good time.
Friday 30th June, 7.30pm
St Andrew's Church, West Kirby
Tickets £0 - £18.50
Including interval drink
Youth String Quartet Academy
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The festival's very own Youth String Quartet Academy offers you a chance to hear some of Wirral's most talented young string players, as they display the skill and passion they have developed for making music together.
Saturday 1st July, 11.30am
Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead
Tickets £0 - £10
Eastham Carnival
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Join the fiesta and soak up the atmosphere, as the Festival Players perform a selection of crowd pleasers as part of the free live entertainment at Eastham Carnival. From tango to classical virtuoso showstoppers, we guarantee there is something for everyone!
Saturday 1st July, 2pm
Eastham Village
Free Entry
The Katona Twins:
From Handel to Hollywood
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Critically acclaimed as "the classical world's best known guitar duo", Peter and Zoltán Katona effortlessly transfer from strictly classical, into more popular musical genres. This unforgettable programme is no exception, ranging from Handel to The Deer Hunter's Cavatina and Schindler's List.
Saturday 1st July, 7.30pm
St Mary's Church, Eastham
Tickets £0 - £20
Including interval drink
Family Concert:
The Music Monster
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Come on an adventure with the Music Monster! Help us explore the emotions in music using art, song and movement in our ever-popular family concert for all ages. As always, it will be packed with live music and participation!
Sunday 2nd July, 11.30am
Gladstone Village Hall, Burton
Tickets £0 - £10
Schubert's Trout Quintet
and The Lark Ascending
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Have you ever seen a Lark and a Trout in Port Sunlight?!
Led by Thelma Handy, the Festival Players present a timeless selection of pieces inspired by the joys of
nature.
Sunday 2nd July, 7pm
Christ Church, Port Sunlight
Tickets £0 - £20
Including interval drink
Christmas by Candlelight
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Join us on a musical journey through the starry night sky with a wonderful mix of classical festive favourites, carols, folk and tango.