Perth Festival organisers today unveiled more details of their 2005 programme, which promises a rich variety of world-class performers. The Festival aims to offer something for everyone and further announcements will be made in the coming weeks to include comedy and rock nights.

CLASSICAL MUSIC AND OPERA events will include:

The Bell Lawrie White Festival Concert with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Julian Reynolds. Recent highlights in Dame Kiri’s illustrious career include singing the lead role in “Vanessa” with Los Angeles Opera and A Gala Concert in Auckland, to launch The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, a charity that aims to give support and financial aid to dedicated New Zealand singers and musicians.

The Russian State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Gorenstein with Soloist Nikolai Demidenko playing

Shostakovich - Piano Concerto No. 2
Mahler - Symphony No. 5
 
English Touring Opera will present two major operas Cosi fan tutte by Mozart and Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart) by Donizetti. There will be two performances for Cosi fan tutte, which should help with the usual huge demand for tickets.

English Touring Opera will also stage a performance for Primary School Children of “The Little Magic Flute” which is produced as a family opera; the show is a re-working of Mozart’s classic with children specifically in mind.  Andrew Synnott’s ingenious arrangement retain all of the music favourites while director Gavin Quinn injects enough humour and excitement to entertain audiences of all ages.

The King’s Consort will return to Perth after many years with a rich choral programme including works by Purcell, Tallis and Bach. Supported by Dunard Fund

The Schubert Ensemble will be the Artists in Residence playing four concerts with works by Mozart, Elgar, Schubert, Suk, Franck, Brahams, Mahler, Britten and Schumann         

THEATRE SHOWS

Ian Rankin and Jackie Leven present Jackie Leven Said
Ian Rankin and Jackie Leven present "Jackie Leven Said" - a powerful new story written and narrated by Ian Rankin, with music from Jackie Leven. Two remarkable Scotsmen, wildly successful author Ian Rankin and acclaimed singer Jackie Leven collaborate in a show that examines the spirit at bay and the forensics of the soul. In their respective creative worlds, nobody does darkness better than these two fellow Fifers, and in this highly original stage show they take a fearless look at the damage that men (and women) can do to each other. However, both men have a world-class sense of humour, so expect an evening, which ends on warm notes of wry reflection and friendship...Sponsored by The Famous Grouse.

An Audience with Sir David Frost 
Sir David Frost's career has been so diverse that he has been described as a 'one man conglomerate'. It is easy to see why: host and co-creator of That Was The Week That Was, producer of countless television programmes; author of 15 books; producer of eight films; publisher, lecturer and the joint founder of London Weekend Television and TV-am. Not to mention the fact that he is perhaps the best-known television interviewer in the world. In his brand new show, Sir David Frost shares the secrets of an extraordinary career.

La Fille Mal Gardée by Ballet Russe
The only resident Russian Ballet Company in the UK. This dynamic young ballet troupe is made up of professional dancers most of whom trained in Russia at the Bolshoi and Kirov Academies.

An Evening of Jazz with Stacey Kent and her Musicians

Stacey Kent (vocals), Jim Tomlinson (tenor saxophone), Dave Newton (piano), Colin Oxley (guitar), Dave Chamberlain (bass). With Stacey Kent you simply get fabulous songs – classics from a golden era – and classic jazz, with all the swing and sparkle that conjures up the timeless attraction of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and the Great American Songbook. A fast rising star here and now in her native America, she is feted by the likes of Michael Parkinson and Humphrey Lyttleton. Sponsored by Rossleigh           

PERTH MUSICIANS

Michael O’Donnell and friends
Piano, oboe, flute and clarinet - a programme of Saint-Saens, Milahaud, Beethoven and Arnold   

Chansons and Fair City Singers
“Mass of the Children” by John Rutter

 Perth Youth Orchestra and daily lunchtime concerts by Perthshire Schools.

VISUAL ART

Some of the exhibitions staged for the Festival will include Artay, the art marquee packed full of contemporary Scottish works and also an exhibition of works by William Gillies and John Maxwell, which will take place at Perth Museum and Art Gallery.

To order a programme available from mid March from Perth Theatre, please telephone 01738 472706.

One way to receive the Festival brochure in advance and a two-week priority-booking period is to become a member of the Friends of Perth Festival for an annual fee of £10. Forms are available from Perth Theatre. Check out the Festival website www.perthfestival.co.uk