FESTIVAL HIT BY TICKETS HITCH

ORGANISERS of this weekend’s 2010 Leamington Music Festival have faced a challenge with ticket sales following the collapse of a tourism company.

Hundreds of classical music lovers are expected to attend the bank holiday weekend event which runs from Friday April 30 to Tuesday May 4.

Festival bosses were worried the recent ban on flights due to the Icelandic ash cloud would hit perfor-mances, as artists performing in the nine concerts are flying in from the Czech Republic, Germany, Holland and Italy.

But after overcoming that hurdle, the collapse of South Warwickshire Tourism – trading as Shakespeare County – has posed a fresh headache over ticket sales.

Festival director Richard Phillips said: “I am pretty relieved that planes are flying again, as the recent problems would have affected half the concerts. Our other problem is the closure of the Tourist Information Centre at the Royal Pump Rooms.

“Not only are we owed money and we cannot get access to the tickets the TIC were selling, but
tourists seeking information on what’s on or looking for accommodation will be pretty fed up.”

Mr Phillips said Presto Classical, in Park Street, Leamington, has come to their rescue and is selling tickets, which are also available at the Bridge House Theatre.

This year’s festival, which is in its 21st year, will focus on romantic music between 1820 and 1850 and feature Chopin, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Weber.

Artists performing include the Schubert Ensemble of London, the Guarneri Piano Trio, regarded by some as the best trio in the world, the Wihan String Quartet and pianist Martin Kasik.

Warwickshire’s baritone Roderick Williams, young British cellist Gemma Rosefield, soprano Sonja Volten and violinist Anne-Marie Volten will also be performing.

For full ticket, venue and programme details visit www.leamingtonmusic.org.