Established over 40 years ago in the former county town of Radnorshire, the Presteigne Festival has become a focal point for those seeking musical innovation and artistic discovery amidst the beauty of the Welsh Marches.

Internationally renowned for its commissioning of new work, support of living composers and with a long tradition for the encouragement of talented young artists, the organisation works closely with composers and performers to create and curate inspiring events for an ever-widening Festival audience and brings experience-broadening opportunities to its host community.

In 2026, the Presteigne Festival will take something of a new direction, celebrating the remarkable contribution of women composers from the 20th and 21st centuries. The Festival marks three remarkable milestones: the 75th birthday of celebrated choral and vocal composer Cecilia McDowall, and the 70th birthdays of highly respected British composer Sally Beamish and the Presteigne Festival’s founding Artistic Director, Adrian Williams. We also welcome Michael Zev Gordon as composer-in-residence and shine a spotlight on Mathilde Wantenaar, one of the Netherlands’ most exciting emerging composers.

As always, new music features prominently throughout the Festival, with a rich selection of new and recent works from some of today’s most exciting voices – Michael Berkeley, Cameron Biles‑Liddell, Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade, Lillie Harris, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Gabriel Jackson, Tayla-Leigh Payne, Robert Peate, Electra Perivolaris, Lynne Plowman, Emma-Ruth Richards, Claire Victoria Roberts, Natalie Roe and Daniel Soley.

The music programme also offers timeless classics from Bartók, Beethoven, Britten, Elgar, Ravel, Schumann and Stravinsky’s masterpiece L’histoire du soldat in a semi-staged version.

All in all, a fresh mix of voices and styles, showcasing the creativity, innovation and diversity that define today’s classical music landscape.

Beyond concert performances, the programme will again offer a vibrant mix of arts events. Highlights include a three-film retrospective of New Zealand director Jane Campion, talks from, among others, Sioned Davies, Carwyn Graves and Katy Hamilton, a Bat walk and storytelling for children. The Festival also continues its partnership with Presteigne ‘Open Studios’, offering visitors the chance to engage with the town’s thriving community of artists and makers.

Artists appearing at the Festival include:

HearAndNow Collective, Amsterdam
Fenella Humphreys violin
Clare Hammond, Jâms Coleman piano
James Gilchrist tenor
Rowan Pierce soprano
Jonathan Gunthorpe narrator
Ben Goldscheider horn
Imogen Whitehead flugelhorn
Rainer Crosett cello
Sally Pryce harp
Eva Victoria Schockmel guitar
The Choir of King’s College, London | Joseph Fort conductor
Presteigne Festival Orchestra and Ensemble | George Vass conductor

To buy tickets and for more information please visit the festival website.

Box Office: 01544 267800

Email: [email protected]

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