Harvey Goldsmith & AEG Live Present
TOWER FESTIVAL at the TOWER OF LONDON
10th- 20th September 2009

Celebrating the best in arts, culture and music!
• Sadler’s Wells is Dance
• Lesley Garrett and the Fron Male Voice Choir
• Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard, presented By Carl Rosa Opera
• Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Future Stars of Opera
• Kind of Blue at 50, featuring Jimmy Cobb’s So What Band
• Womad presents World Music at the Tower

NOW CONFIRMED:
Nigel Kennedy with the Philharmonia Orchestra presents an evening of Bach and Ellington

International concert promoters and owners of the O2 Arena, AEG Live, have teamed up with legendary operatic and concert impresario Harvey Goldsmith, to launch the 2009 Tower Festival at the Tower of London, celebrating the very best in arts, culture and music.

The Tower Festival will take place over the 10th-20th September at the historic and prestigious Tower of London, the royal palace and fortress on the banks of the River Thames in London.

Already confirmed for this spectacular celebration of arts, culture and music are; Sadler’s Wells is Dance featuring Tamara Rojo (Ballet), Paco Pena & Company (flamenco), Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag (Ballroom/Strictly Come Dancing) and more to be announced. Lesley Garrett and the Fron Male Voice Choir, Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard presented by Carl Rosa Opera,Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Future Stars of Opera with the City of London Sinfonia, Kind of Blue at 50, featuring Jimmy Cobb’s So What Band and the legendary Womad presenting a weekend of world music. Nigel Kennedy is now a confirmed performer featuring the Philharmonic Orchestra. Other major artists and productions will be added to this stunning event over the coming weeks.

The Tower Festival 2009 is set in one of the most beautiful and spectacular historic royal palaces right in the heart of London. Performing many roles over the centuries, from royal apartments to prison, the 90ft high and 107ft wide White Tower was begun in 1078 by William the Conqueror and today is home to unique royal arms and armour including that of Henry VIII, as well as being the heart of the Tower of London World Heritage Site. Arguably the finest celebration of, opera, dance, jazz, world and classical music in London, the Tower Festival will thrill and delight with breathtaking performances from a glittering array of stars.

NIGEL KENNEDY
Violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy is to perform the gala opening of the Continental Airlines Tower Festival. Kennedy will join the Philharmonia Orchestra for an evening of Bach concertos and the music of Duke Ellington. For over twenty-five years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world’s leading violin virtuosos and is, without doubt, one of the most important violinists Britain has ever produced. With his virtuosic technique, mass appeal, unique talent and natural ability to communicate with his audience, he has brought fresh perspectives to both classical and jazz repertoire, winning critical acclaim and huge popularity among a broad-based audience and, by far, remains the best selling international classical violinist of all time. Following a hugely successful 2008 world tour and the most talked-about BBC Prom concert of the year, Kennedy opens The Continental Airlines Tower Festival with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Kennedy and the Orchestra will perform a diverse mix of compositions which roam through Bach concertos to his own arrangements of the expressive blues and jazz music of Duke Ellington for violin, orchestra and his own ensemble. A fantastic start to the Festival, not to be missed!