ABOUT

Stour Music, now in its 61st year, has established its reputation for the high quality of music performed by artists from all over the world, and for the welcome of a warm festival atmosphere. The setting is a 12th-century Pilgrim church noted for its wonderful acoustic, and for its lovely rural setting. Ten concerts take place over two weekends in late June each year, the early evening performances followed by late night candlelit events for the night owls. There is plentiful parking and the adjacent Festival Marquee offers a bar, teas and suppers.

Festival Director

In 2020 Stour Music appointed Robert Hollingworth as its new Artistic Director, following the retirement of Mark Deller after 45 years. Robert, who is also a radio / film presenter, educator and founder of the innovative vocal ensemble I Fagiolini (in part inspired by Mark’s group, the Deller Consort), first came to Stour in 1992, and the festival has been a regular pilgrimage of his ever since.

“I love the unique combination of a rural Kent church, Alfred Deller's grave nearby and the legendary hospitality – all of which seem to get musicians to give of their best. I'm flattered to be asked to step into Mark's shoes, and as the third counter-tenor/director of a vocal group to run the festival, will continue to ‘sound the trumpet’ for Stour.” RH

Robert Hollingworth founded I Fagiolini in 1986 and has presented all of their signature projects. Away from the group, Robert has directed the English Concert, Academy of Ancient Music, Irish Baroque Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra as well as some of the world’s finest chamber choirs including: Accentus, NDR Chor, the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, BBC Singers, Nederlands Kamerkoor, Capella Cracoviensis, VOCES8, RIAS Kammerchor and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

Robert has written for BBC Radio 3; he presents the podcast Choral Chihuahua with Eamonn Dougan and Nicholas Mulroy, and created the niche YouTube series, SingTheScore.

He is Reader in Music at the University of York where he directs the The 24, University Choir and runs an MA in Solo-Voice Ensemble Singing.

www.ifagiolini.com