King’s Lynn Festival Artistic Drector Ambrose Miller says:
"It’s a ‘right royal festival’ for King’s Lynn in its 62nd year, marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics with an exciting programme featuring top international names.
In a celebratory style, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band launches the two-week programme with William Walton’s stirring Crown Imperial which was played at the Queen’s Coronation.
The King’s Singers, one of the world’s best-loved ensembles, will make a welcome return the the exceptional acoustic of St Nicholas’ Chapel with a specially-devised programme, Royal Rhymes and Rounds, to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
Instant Sunshine will provide an antidote to the Olympics with a programme entitled Going for Gold! – and the early Olympics and Ancient Greece will be the subject of an illustrated talk by historian Dr Michael Scott.
As always the Festival features the cream of the classical music world including the Philharmonia Orchestra, pianist Freddy Kempf, guitarist Craig Ogden, BBC young musician Lara Melda and the Endellion String Quartet, who will all maintain the Festival’s tradition of excellence. Early Music Day features The Parley of Instruments and, for a specially-themed late-night programme, The Queenes good Night.
Leading up to another special anniversary, the centenary in 2013 of celebrated East Anglian-born 20th century composer Benjamin Britten, the Cavalari Quartet will be performing his rarely-heard Divertimenti.
Adding to the Festival’s wide appeal will be a concert by the King’s Lynn Festival Chorus, jazz from Jacqui Dankworth, a visit by favourite film reviewer Barry Norman, and a Literary Dinner.
The Festival Exhibition will feature work by artists from the Norwich School.
Do join us for a really regal 2012 King’s Lynn Festival."