CHELTENHAM INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

Early day motion 1517, tabled 6 July 1998 by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 1 member.

That this House congratulates the organisers of the 54th Cheltenham International Festival of Music and, in particular, its artistic director Michael Berkeley (who this year celebrates his fiftieth birthday) for its high artistic standards, imaginative programming and strong commitment to contemporary composers, as exemplified by the fact that over 25 works are to be premiered this year (notably by British composers such as Harrison Birtwistle, the Festival's Composer Laureate, and George Benjamin, this year's featured composer); welcomes the many talented artistes, including the distinguished international concert pianist Alfred Brendel (Honorary KBE) and the Sinfonia Varsovia and conductor Volker Schmidt-Gertenback; and expresses the hope that the Festival will prove to be successful and enjoyable for all concerned, including the many distinguished performing artistes, the private, public and corporate sponsors who generosity makes the Festival possible, and the audiences who come to Cheltenham from all parts of the United Kingdom and the rest of the world in the expectation of hearing music-making at its very best.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 1.