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The Kirker Music Festival in Suffolk

England 4 nights Price from £1,860 per person
Departs: 18 Sep 2023
Departs: 18 Sep 2023

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This picturesque corner of Suffolk, with its rivers and marshes, is closely associated with the artists Constable and Gainsborough, as well as the composer Benjamin Britten, who was born in Lowestoft and lived and worked in nearby Aldeburgh for many years. Based at the elegant Hintlesham Hall, in a charming village just outside Ipswich, we will explore the legacy of these former Suffolk residents as well as enjoying a series of private concerts with the Doric String Quartet as well as two open workshops.

What's included

...when you travel with Kirker

  • Four nights' accommodation with breakfast
  • Four dinners
  • Three concerts and talks as described
  • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities as described
  • Services of the Kirker Tour Leader

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Make your way to Hintlesham

    Make your own way to the village of Hintlesham, just over 5 miles from the centre of Ipswich, where we shall stay at the elegant Hintlesham Hall, a grand property in a manor house which dates from the 1400s.
  • Day 2 - Gainsborough House

    The first of two open workshops will be given this morning.  Later we visit Sudbury this morning to see the house where Thomas Gainsborough (1777-1788) lived as a child and young man. A number of the artist’s works are on display here. Gainsborough House has been closed for three years and reopens this spring, after a three-year development, it will be a National Centre for Art dedicated to the life and work of the artist. Gainsborough’s famous painting ‘The Blue Boy’, which left England a hundred years ago and has been on display at the Huntington Library in California since, is returning to London where you can see it at The National Gallery until 22 May 2022.
  • Day 3 - Munnings Art Museum

    After breakfast, there will be a second open workshop with the Doric String Quartet and Kirker's director of music, Simon Rowland-Jones. This afternoon we will drive to Dedham Vale to visit Sir Alfred Munnings’ former home and studio with over 200 paintings, drawings and sculpture on display.
  • Day 4 - The Red House

    There will be a visit to Aldeburgh, where we shall go to the Red House where Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears lived. The house is very much the same as it was when the couple lived here and many works from their extensive collection are on display. We will visit the library, exhibition centre and the garden.
  • Day 5 - Tour concludes

    The tour concludes after breakfast this morning.

Departure Dates and Prices

18 Sep 2023

Status Available

Price from£1860

Single Supp.£296

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Doric String Quartet

String Quartet

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Simon Roland-Jones

Simon Rowland-Jones

Viola, Composer & Kirker Music Director

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Music Programme

The Doric String Quartet 

19 September
Haydn: String Quartet in D, Op.50 No.6
Schumann: String Quartet in A , Op. 41 No 3


20 September
Beethoven: String Quartet in G, Op.18 No.2
Bartok: String Quartet No. 2, Sz,67


21 September
Haydn: String Quartet in C, Op. 5 No.2
Britten: String Quartet No.2
Elgar: String Quartet in E minor, Op. 83

 

They will also be in conversation with Barry Cheeseman about their international career as one of the world’s leading string quartets.

To make an enquiry please speak to one of our experts on 020 7593 2288, or enquire online

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