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As many as 300 senior citizens are being given the opportunity to enjoy the music of international classical music stars this week - for free.
The free seats at this year's Liberation Concert - held at the Opera House on 10 May - are being made possible thanks to charity Music In Action.
Starting at 20:00, the concert will feature six major international soloists and personal and poignant stories by islanders ending in a celebration of liberation.
It will feature Chinese violinist Ning Feng, German cellists Leonard Elschenbroich and Isang Enders, Korean violinist So-Ock Kim, British viola player Rosalind Ventris, and Chinese pianist Wu Qian (China).
They will play film music by Shostakovitch, Beethoven’ Archduke Trio, as well as Schubert’s Quintet in C for strings, an audience favourite which features some of the most uplifting melodies ever produced by the Austrian composer.
Pictured: Chinese violinist Ning Feng will take part in the Liberation Concert.
James Mews, Chairman of Music in Action, said the charity was delighted with the donation that allowed them to offer free tickets to senior citizens. “It is so generous that a personal donation has enabled this extraordinary gift to the people of Jersey.
"As always, the musicians bringing this unique musical experience to Jersey are outstanding. We are so lucky to be able to welcome them to Jersey and to enjoy each of their performances. And for those who may not have been able to afford seeing the concert it promises to be a spectacular event.”
The concert forms part of the wider Liberation International Music Festival, which for an 11th year will be hosting a mix of internationally-acclaimed artists and local performers to commemorate the island’s freeing from the German occupying forces nearly 75 years ago.
Taking place between 9 and 12 May, the Liberation Festival will star over 20 internationally acclaimed artists, performing beautiful, dramatic and atmospheric music in stunning settings across the island.
With a theme of joy and celebration, the concerts highlight many of the great nations who were reduced to fighting and now enjoy peace.
The Festival’s public activities will start on Liberation Day with a musical walk around St. Ouen’s Manor at 14:30, followed by a 18:00 concert in the reflective surroundings of St. Ouen’s Parish Church, featuring international soloist Harriet Mackenzie and celebrated accordionist Milos Milivojevic.
On 11 May, the Jersey Chamber Orchestra will present a special programme for lovers of Broadway, Gershwin and popular music theatre. International vocalist Rodney Earl Clarke and Jersey-born soprano Georgi Mottram will take to the stage to showcase music from Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with taking the stage in a matinee and evening performance.
Finally, to close the festival, British Jazz artist of the year, Clare Teal and her Mini Big Band will headline the Jazz Festival at The Royal Jersey Showground on the afternoon of 12 May. The musicians effortlessly will play the grand masters of the Great American Song Book, Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hart to witty and urbane song stylists of the 50s and 60s.
Pictured: Clare Teal and her Mini Big Band will headline the Jazz Festival at The Royal Jersey Showground. (Gary Grimshaw)
Also appearing are duo Enro, featuring celebrated singer Rodney Earl Clarke and violinist Enrika Daugele, Moya who recently starred in the Voice UK, and Retro Gramophone known for their witty and funky jazz twists on classic poplar songs.
"With the Liberation Music Festival, our aim is to celebrate, every year, the future created for us by brave Islanders during the occupation, and everything that has been achieved since the end of WW2," Mr Mews said.
"We also think of those who lost their lives. This year will be particularly eclectic as we welcome an incredibly diverse range of international performers, from jazz musicians to west-end stars. A key part of the Festival is also our far-reaching outreach and educational project which we are very proud of.”
Pictured top: Performers at a previous concert. (Jean Lelliot)
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