A brand-new festival celebrating the City of London’s unique environment, beauty and creativity.
City Festival of Music, Invention & Knowledge celebrates the City’s unique environment, beauty and creativity through a two week programme of live music and performance. Beginning on 10 October 2024 and running for two weeks (until 24 October) the City Festival of Music, Invention and Knowledge promises an exciting programme of evening events performed and presented by world-class classical and jazz musicians, plus a series of FREE, Before They Are Famous lunchtime recitals, given by some of the UK’s brightest musical talents, in the beautiful and historic settings of Sir Christopher Wren’s (1632-1723) churches.
There’s a decidedly Italian flavour to the Festival, not least inspired by the current Lord Mayor of London’s heritage. Michael Mainelli can trace his roots back to Liguria and as part of his year-long mayoral theme of Connect to Prosper, the City Festival of Music, Invention and Knowledge has forged a partnership with the Municipality of Genoa (Comune di Genoa) to bring the music of Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) into the heart of the City. Paganini was born in Genoa and fans of the great composer’s music will feel particularly spoiled, as the entire programme of concerts will contain flavours of his work - in original, arranged or improvised pieces - in each performance, including the free events supported by the Comune di Genoa.
Highlights of the new Festival include:
- Opening concert British Jazz pianist Julian Joseph in Mansion House, with a stellar new quintet and state-of-the-art surround sound
- Italy’s innovative Eklectric Duo, performing a playlist from hot Paganini to Coldplay
- Music of Paganini, Rossini and Verdi by Genoa's guitar maestro Josè Scanu
- The Flower of Cities, a musical tour of City destinations and Paganini variations, set in architectural beauty
- Bach, Paganini and the music of bees from Benjamin Marquise Gilmore and Tenebrae
- Free lunchtime concerts from emerging new talent
- Vivaldi singing workshop led by the renowned conductor of the Tenebrae Choir, Nigel Short
There is something for everyone to experience, discover and enjoy, including a series of complementary talks and workshops, with opportunities to appreciate the nature and beauty of the City, and uncover the histories and hidden mysteries of the music itself.
The Festival of Music, Invention & Knowledge is supported by the Lord Mayor, Michael Mainelli, as part of his mayoral theme Connect to Prosper, the City of London’s Destination City programme, and the Comune of Genoa. Curated by artistic director Ian Ritchie, and produced by Tessa Marchington, Music in Offices.
Further Information & Tickets: The City Festival of Music, Invention & Knowledge — Music in Offices