With a programme spanning classical, chamber and choral music alongside opera, jazz and folk, there was something for everyone at this year’s Southwell Music Festival, which took place across the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The busy Festival team welcomed music fans from across Nottinghamshire and beyond to enjoy a weekend of concerts, talks and music-making.
The Festival was thrilled to welcome international pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason as its 2026 Artist-in-Residence. Making her Southwell Music Festival debut in Southwell Minster Nave on Friday evening, Isata mesmerised audiences with an elegant performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27, accompanied by the Festival Sinfonia, an ensemble comprising some of the finest orchestral players working in the UK today.
Isata returned to Southwell on Saturday and Sunday for two sold-out piano recitals in Southwell Minster’s State Chamber. Audiences clearly revelled in the chance to see this classical star perform in this magnificent yet intimate setting.
Saturday saw families and friends gather in the Minster’s Palace Gardens for an afternoon of delights at this year’s Musical Picnic. The rain didn’t stop the music, with audiences relocated to the Festival Marquee to enjoy performances from The Pantasy Steel Band, Nottingham Youth Orchestra Jazz Combo and performers from The Minster School. Saturday afternoon also saw jazz take centre-stage with a sold-out, toe-tapping performance from The Pete Horsfall Quartet.
As evening fell on Saturday, audiences arrived at Southwell Minster for A Night at the Opera, a curated selection of favourites from well-known operas and musicals, featuring stars of the UK opera scene, Anna Dennis and Gareth Brynmor John.
After Sunday afternoon folk in the Festival Marquee with contemporary folk trio Gavin Fairhall Lever, attention was turned to the stunning setting of Southwell Minster’s Nave for a stand-out performance of Brahms German Requiem. Conducted by Festival Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth, the Festival’s resident ensembles, the Festival Voices and Festival Sinfonia, delivered a truly world-class performance of what is often considered to be one of the greatest choral works in the repertoire. Standing ovations all round!
And the Festival was rounded off with a brilliant Bank Holiday Monday Come and Sing, with amateur singers from across the region coming together to perform works from Mendelssohn alongside the Festival’s vocal apprentices and the Festival Sinfonia.
Each year, the Festival takes pride in providing performance opportunities for young and early-career musicians, while also giving audiences the chance to hear the stars of tomorrow. This year’s Festival Fringe, raising money for Framework Housing Association, featured performances by local young musicians and finalists from the Nottingham Young Musician of the Year competition. This year’s string apprentices, the LANO Quartet, also joined forces with the Festival Vocal Apprentices for two moving and meditative performances in the intimate setting of the Minster Chapter House.
Festival Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth said:
“It’s been yet another fantastic year for our Festival, which is growing from strength to strength. It has been a joy to create wonderful musical memories with our outstanding performers, who are some of the finest musicians working in the UK today. Our many sell-out performances speak for themselves – there is a huge appetite for live music-making in our region, and I am delighted that we are able to welcome audiences of all ages with our eclectic and wide-ranging programme. We couldn’t do it without the unwavering support of our Festival supporters, sponsors, volunteers and organising committee, who work behind the scenes to make the Festival what it is today.”
And there’s more to come. For the first time, Southwell Music Festival will be hosting an October concert, showcasing the talents of some of the Festival’s apprentice musicians, and there’s a return to Southwell Minster in December for the annual A Christmas Celebration. Tickets can be booked online at southwellmusicfestival.com.
Posted on 03 September 2026
