Festival Archive: 2026 Festival

Rosalind Ventris – Viola Tom Poster – piano Our popular New Year Coffee Concert is back! Join us at 11am on Saturday 31st January, when international soloists Rosalind Ventris and Tom Poster will present a programme of romantic twentieth-century works for viola and piano. Fantasie (1910) – Hélène Fleury-Roy Violin Sonata No. 2 – Frederick Delius, arr. Lionel Tertis Sleep – Ivor Gurney, arr. Rosalind Ventris Twilight – Clarence Cameron White, arr. Tom Poster/Rosalind Ventris Lyric Phantasy, Op. 46 – Ruth Gipps Sonata for Viola and Piano – Rebecca Clarke Tickets: front seats £20; nave pews £15; children/students £5  

Charlotte Kwok – piano 2026 Young Artist Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53, ‘Waldstein’ Liszt: Petrarch Sonnet 104, S. 161, No. 5 Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit, M. 55 From the radiant energy of Beethoven’s monumental “Waldstein” Sonata to the poetic intimacy of Liszt’s Petrarch Sonnet 104, this programme traces a journey through passion, virtuosity, and imagination. Culminating in Ravel’s dazzling and haunting Gaspard de la Nuit—with its shimmering water nymphs, tolling bells, and demonic nocturnal visions—this will be a morning of piano music at its most evocative and electrifying. Coffee and cake will be served from 10.30am.  Tickets: £20 front seats (reserved) / £15 nave (unreserved) / £5 (under 18)

Llŷr Williams – piano Beloved pianist and Festival Associate Artist Llŷr Williams invites audiences on a journey from Debussy’s enchanting Children’s Corner to Liszt’s thrilling Wagner transcriptions. Some of the great Romantic works of the piano repertoire performed by a longstanding friend of Cowbridge—an evening not to be missed! Children’s Corner, L.113 – Claude Debussy Berceuse, Op.57 – Frédéric Chopin December (Christmas) from The Seasons, Op.37a, No. 12  – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky  Jeunes filles au jardin, from Scènes d’enfants – Federico Mompou  Schlummerlied from Weihnachtsbaum, S.186: 7 – Franz Liszt Lament, H.117 – Frank Bridge Waltz from Musique d’enfants, Op.65 – Sergei Prokofiev Juliet as a Young Girl and Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet, Op.64 – Prokofiev Réminiscences de Norma, S.394 – Vincenzo Bellini / Liszt  Spinning Chorus from Der fliegende Holländer, S.440 – Richard Wagner / Liszt  ‘O du mein holder Abendstern’ from Tannhäuser, S.444 – Wagner / Liszt  ‘Liebestod’ from Tristan und Isolde, S.447 – Wagner / Liszt  Holy Cross Church £25 front seats / £17 nave / £5 children/students

Consone Quartet Rosalind Ventris – viola Richard Lester – cello The acclaimed Consone Quartet is joined by Rosalind Ventris and Richard Lester in a programme featuring Mozart’s sparkling ‘Hunt’ Quartet and Dvořák’s lyrical masterpieces. A rare opportunity to hear chamber music from this era on period instruments. Cypresses (selection), B. 152 – Antonín Dvořák String Quartet in B-flat major, K. 458 “Hunt” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Sextet in A major, Op. 48 – Dvořák Holy Cross Church £25 front seats / £17 nave / £5 children/students  

Helen Charlston – mezzo soprano Consone Quartet As night falls, immerse yourself in an intimate programme of songs and instrumental gems inspired by nature, nighttime and solitude. Helen Charlston and the Consone Quartet bring together Purcell, Britten, Vaughan Williams and Oliver Leith in a concert of haunting beauty. ‘Along the field’ – Ralph Vaughan Williams ‘If love’s a sweet passion’ – Henry Purcell ‘Come all ye songsters of the sky’ – Purcell Fantasia No. 12 in Four Parts – Purcell ‘By beauteous softness’ – Purcell ‘I wonder as I wander’ – Benjamin Britten A different ‘Fantasie from Suite No. 5 in G minor’ after Matthew Locke – Oliver Leith ‘O waly, waly’ – Benjamin Britten ‘O solitude, my sweetest choice’ – Henry Purcell ‘See, even Night herself’ – Henry Purcell ‘We’ll to the woods no more’ – Vaughan Williams  Holy Cross Church £18 front seats / £12 nave / £5 children/students  

Sarah Meek – vocals Dave Cottle – keyboard Start your Sunday in style with a relaxed Jazz Brunch at The Bear Hotel. Savour great food, good company and the irresistible sound of live jazz in an informal festival setting. The Bear Hotel Tickets available direct from The Bear Hotel – 01446 774814  

Helen Charlston – mezzo-soprano Sholto Kynoch – piano Award-winning mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston and pianist Sholto Kynoch explore the rich emotional world of German Romantic song. Their programme culminates in Schumann’s beloved Dichterliebe, one of the most treasured song cycles ever written. ‘Fichtenbaum und Palme’ – Fanny Hensel ‘Auf Flügeln des Gesanges’, Op. 34, No. 2 – Felix Mendelssohn ‘Seit ich die Liebste mir entfernt’, Op. 38[39], No. 4 – Josephine Lang ‘Die Lotosblume’, Op. 25, No. 7 – Robert Schumann ‘Die Lotosblume’, Op. 9-I, No. 1 – Carl Loewe ‘Schwanenlied’, Op. 1, No. 1 – Hensel ‘Wenn zwei von einander scheiden’, Op. 33[34], No. 6 – Lang Reiselied, Op. 19a, No. 6 – Mendelssohn Knight’s Dream – Héloïse Werner Dichterliebe, Op. 48 – Schumann  Holy Cross Church £25 front seats / £17 nave / £5 children/students

Vita String Quartet Rhossili Duo Discover the stars of tomorrow in an inspiring gala showcasing some of the finest young chamber musicians of Wales performing today. The Vita String Quartet and Rhossili Duo bring fresh energy, imagination and outstanding artistry to the festival stage. Quartet in C minor, Op. 18 No. 4 – Ludwig van Beethoven Quartet in A major – Emilie Mayer Romanian Dances – Béla Bartók, arr. Arthur Levering Welsh Folk Songs – arr. Stephen Goss La Pièce en forme de Habanera – Maurice Ravel Histoire du Tango – Astor Piazzola Holy Cross Church £18 front seats / £12 nave / £5 children/students

Debasmita Bhattacharya – sarod Gurdain Rayatt – tabla A rare chance to experience one of India’s finest young classical musicians live. Sarod virtuoso Debasmita Bhattacharya joins acclaimed tabla player Gurdain Singh Rayatt for an evening of breathtaking improvisation, rhythmic brilliance and profound musical expression. Rooted in the rich traditions of Hindustani classical music yet thrillingly alive in the moment, this is a unique opportunity to discover one of the world’s great musical traditions. “Debasmita turns out a perfect confluence of rhythm and melody” (IndiansInKuwait.com) “Gurdain Rayatt is a tabla player of sparkling qualities; filled with exuberance, virtuosity and rich content.” (Darbar) Holy Cross Parish Church £25 / £5 children/students

Juan Martin – guitar Feel the passion and fire of Spain in the company of flamenco legend Juan Martin. This unforgettable recital combines dazzling guitar virtuosity with the colour, drama and infectious rhythms of authentic flamenco. Holy Cross Church £25 front seats / £17 nave / £5 children/students

Pedair Bringing their fresh, unique interpretation of the Welsh folk tradition, Pedair return after their acclaimed debut at the festival in 2024. Over recent years their recordings have gained widespread popularity; this concert brings an opportunity to hear the group live, in the beautiful setting of Holy Cross Church. Holy Cross Church £25 front seats / £17 nave / £5 children/students  

Round off your festival evening with a dazzling cabaret hosted by the fabulous drag artist and pianist Pixie Perez. Expect an unforgettable night of music, laughter and sparkling entertainment in the unique setting of Holy Cross Church. Holy Cross Church £18 front seats / £12 nave / £5 children/students  

Students from the Yehudi Menuhin School John Corigliano Red Violin Caprices Mozart Allegro from Sonata No 13 in B flat major K 333 Chopin Polonaise Fantasy Op 61 Debussy Etude No 11 ‘Pour les arpèges composes’ Beethoven Sonata No 2 in A Major Op 12 Enjoy a morning of exceptional music-making from students of the world-renowned Yehudi Menuhin School. These outstanding young performers offer a glimpse of the next generation of classical stars. Holy Cross Church £18 front seats / £12 nave / £5 children/students  

Choir of King’s College London Join us for a reflective and uplifting Evensong, celebrated in the festival’s home of Holy Cross Church. With sublime choral music and famous Welsh hymns, this special service brings a moment of peace and reflection in the heart of the festival. Holy Cross Church Admission free

Choir of King’s College London Joseph Fort – conductor The Choir of King’s College London presents a programme celebrating John Metcalf’s 80th birthday with two of his landmark choral works, combining these with Rachmaninoff’s renowned All-Night Vigil. Plain Chants – John Metcalf Hallelujah – Metcalf All-Night Vigil – Sergei Rachmaninoff   Holy Cross Church £25 front seats / £17 nave / £5 children/students    

Lenny Sayers and Friends Lenny Sayers and friends present ‘The Mystery of the Missing Maestro’. Packed with audience participation, laughter and discovery, this engaging concert is designed to inspire listeners of every age. Cowbridge School Theatre £10 adults / £5 children/students

Sophie Evans Join West End star Sophie Evans for an afternoon celebrating the magic of musical theatre. From beloved show tunes to personal favourites, expect dazzling vocals, captivating stories and plenty of theatrical sparkle. Cowbridge School Theatre £25 / £5 children/students