Tetbury Music Festival is delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Nicholas Kenyon as its new Artistic Adviser.

Sir Nicholas Kenyon is Chief Opera Critic of The Telegraph, and a Distinguished Affiliate Scholar of Pembroke College Cambridge. He was Controller of BBC Radio 3 1992-98, Director of the BBC Proms 1996-2007, and Managing Director of the Barbican Centre 2007-21. He is a former Editor of Early Music and critic for the New Yorker, Times and Observer. He has written books on Bach, Mozart, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Simon Rattle; he edited the influential volume Authenticity and Early Music. He is now Chair of the world-leading ensemble Arcangelo.

Press Release Thursday 27 November 2025

Tetbury Music Festival welcomes

Sir Nicholas Kenyon as new Artistic Adviser

Tetbury Music Festival is delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Nicholas Kenyon as its new Artistic Adviser, succeeding Jonathan Cohen. This marks an inspiring new chapter for the much-loved Cotswold festival, which continues to flourish in artistic excellence, innovation, and ambition.

The Festival also looks forward to its inaugural Song Weekend, taking place 13–14 March 2026 in the magnificent setting of Westonbirt House. This new two-day celebration of song will bring some of the country’s finest recitalists to Tetbury. The weekend opens on Friday 13 March with a recital by pianist Joseph Middleton and baritone Huw Montague Rendall. On Saturday 14 March, audiences will enjoy Shakespeare Sisters, in which Shakespeare’s women take centre stage. Dame Harriet Walter (Succession, Killing Eve, The Crown, Ted Lasso) reads from her new anthology She Speaks!, which reimagines the inner voices of Shakespeare’s heroines, while soprano Sophie Bevan and pianist Christopher Glynn perform songs from across the centuries inspired by these timeless characters.

Speaking about his new role, Sir Nicholas Kenyon said:

“I’m thrilled to have been asked to take over the artistic leadership of this superb festival, which brings international talent to a wonderful Cotswold setting. The level of support from the festival’s committed audience is outstanding, giving us so much to build on, and I look forward to collaborating with everyone in taking the festival forward.”

Renowned for its exceptional music-making, intimate venues and thoughtful programming, Tetbury Music Festival attracts international performers and loyal audiences year after year. Running entirely without public subsidy, it continues thanks to the generous support of its Friends and patrons.

The main Festival returns in Autumn 2026 (26 September – 4 October) with another rich and varied programme, featuring Viktoria Mullova, La Fonte Musica, and a performance of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale.

Full details of the Autumn 2026 Tetbury Music Festival will be announced early in the New Year.