Following the success of their Sunday evening online Lockdown shows from March to May, Celebrate Voice is hot off the blocks, producing a live open air concert in the exquisite setting of the Little Durnford Estate, near Salisbury, on Saturday August 22 from 5.30pm.
Featuring singers from the online show, the live event is billed as, ‘The Lockdown Shows: Unlocked’ and will be the first professional live classical music event in the Salisbury area this summer. The festival has also teamed up with Plain Arts Salisbury, to feature an outdoor exhibition at the show, to create a multiarts event and support the work of local artists who have been unable to exhibit over the past 5 months.
The audience is invited to picnic in the grounds before the show commences at 7pm, with an extended interval to see the art exhibition.
Local demand for live music has been reflected in ticket sales, as 50% of tickets were sold in the first 3 hours from just one Facebook post.
Hosted by Festival Director Lynsey Docherty and hugely popular baritone, Philip Smith (who co-hosted the 8-week online shows), the pair will compere the evening and present international singers from the lockdown shows live on stage, singing opera, music theatre, jazz and pop in a musical variety evening.
The event is brought to life by the brilliant local sound and light team, IvySound, who spectacularly illuminated Little Durnford Manor as the backdrop for the festival’s open air opera gala there in 2019.
Celebrate Voice is delighted to make a return to the magical venue for a second year, courtesy of the Earl and Countess of Chichester.
Artistic Director, Lynsey Docherty says ‘It is a joy to be able to produce a live event again, and the combination of talented live musicians, the extraordinarily beautiful setting and inspiring artwork will make this an event to remember. I want to thank everyone for their continued support of Celebrate Voice, as the lockdown shows really put the festival at the forefront of arts working in the community. This concert is a celebration of that community, and the therapeutic potential of music in society.’
David Walker at Plains Arts Salisbury commented, ‘Plain Arts is delighted to be able to bring the work of some fantastic local artists to this gala concert. In these most difficult of times the wonderful combination of music and art can bring the light back into people’s lives. Audiences can marvel at the work of Vicky Slater or Karen Welsh amongst the many other artists on show and people’s spirits will sure to be uplifted’
The festival continues its online work including a weekly session for South Wilts Mencap who tweeted,‘Celebrate Voice has been the highlight of the week throughout lockdown for so many of our members, bringing joy, laughter and love to our screens.’
Tickets (£35, £30 in advance + Eventbrite booking fee) are strictly limited, and the festival have published
guidelines on their website, in line with government guidelines for staging outdoor events during COVID-
19. The festival’s priority is to keep its audience, artists, and staff safe and ask all those who attend to help maintain safe distancing, to keep within their own picnic bubbles, and be guided by our friendly stewards.
In accordance with government guidelines, tickets must be booked via an online system,
website www.celebratevoice.co.uk
All names will be checked and registered upon entry. A short film has been published on the website documenting the uplifting Lockdown shows, and all who were part of them.