Celebrate the 20th anniversary of this pioneering orchestra with a weekend of events for all ages.
Celebrate 20 years of Aurora’s pioneering, distinctive music-making with this all-star weekend at Snape Maltings.
The orchestra traces its early days back to this place and so there is no better venue in which to mark the anniversary. Aurora is renowned for distinctive performances, playing some of the world’s most epic works from memory and being in true connection with the music and with each other. It is a winning combination which leads to exciting, memorable experiences for audiences and performers alike – nowhere more so than the relatively intimate Snape Maltings Concert Hall, where the proximity of the stage and the world-famous acoustic means that every seat is in a brilliant location. Come and enjoy a weekend of the finest music-making presented in an authentic and unforgettable way.
Song of the Earth: Saturday 10 May
A celebratory performance of Mahler’s spectacular symphony, an incomparable musical homage to nature and humanity, with star soloists Alice Coote and Andrew Staples. Mahler’s ‘Song of the Earth’ is one of his most profoundly moving works. Having explored life and its meaning through ancient Chinese poetry, Mahler ends on a final note of acceptance: that death comes to us all. BOOK NOW
Join the Carnival! Sunday 11 May
Roll up, roll up! An immersive presentation of The Carnival of the Animals for children aged 0–6 and their families. In this hands-on session, little listeners are invited to come and meet the animals and their instruments up close. BOOK NOW
Singing Afternoon with John Rutter: Sunday 11 May
Enjoy an afternoon of singing in the company of the legendary choral composer and conductor with special guests and a sneak preview of a new piece. BOOK NOW
Carnival: Sunday 11 May
Aurora and internationally renowned physical-theatre-makers Frantic Assembly present a fantastical reimagining that pairs The Carnival of the Animals with a new work that asks: what happens when the carnival is over?
Richard Ayres’ riotous new work Dr Frompou’s Anatomical Study of an Orchestra invites us behind the scenes of the Carnival to see what happens to the performers when the show is over. The piece introduces us to the madcap scientist Dr Frompou, who keeps the instruments of the orchestra captive in a laboratory, performing sinister musical experiments Find out what happens when the instruments begin to stage a rebellion! BOOK NOW
Aurora at 20: Saturday 10 May – Sunday 11 May
Britten Pears Arts, Snape Maltings IP17 1SP
Further Information: www.brittenpearsarts.org