It is with great sadness that we record the death in April of John Fellows, a past Chairman of the Festival. His vision, generosity and quiet dedication helped shape the festival over many years, and his contribution will be remembered with deep gratitude by all who were involved.

This year’s festival promises another rich and varied celebration of music, art and ideas, bringing together an inspiring programme of talks, performances and community events.

Our talks programme features a fascinating range of subjects and speakers. We are delighted to welcome Stephen Duffy, who will explore The Discovery of Paris, revealing how British artists first captured the city in the early nineteenth century. Mark Aldridge joins us to reflect on the life and enduring legacy of Agatha Christie, fifty years on from her death, offering fresh insight into the world’s best-loved crime writer. We are also pleased to welcome record producer Stuart Epps, who will share stories from his remarkable career working with some of the biggest names in popular music.

Music remains at the heart of the festival, and our Chamber Concert Series continues to be a cornerstone of the programme. We are delighted to welcome back the ever-popular Heath String Quartet, whose performances have become a highlight of the festival. Braimah Kanneh-Mason and Plínio Fernandes return following their acclaimed appearance last year, this time joined by Hadwych van Gent, promising another compelling and richly varied programme. We are also excited to present Ryan Wang, one of the most outstanding young talents to emerge in recent years. In addition, we are pleased to introduce, for the first time, Kanekt with Ricky Romain, bringing a fresh and distinctive voice to the festival’s musical offering. We are delighted that Barefoot Opera will return to Wooburn to perform Così fan tutte, adding a vibrant operatic highlight to this year’s programme.

Our much-loved Jazz Supper returns this year featuring Jacqui Dankworth, one of the UK’s most highly regarded vocalists, whose warm, expressive voice and captivating stage presence promise an unforgettable evening.

The festival’s Visual Arts Exhibition once again showcases the work of talented artists and makers, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy and engage with a diverse range of creative work alongside the performing arts programme.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, The Night of the Hunter. our Festival film this year, is a haunting and unforgettable masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences more than seventy years after its release.

We are also pleased to offer further visits to Dorney Court, giving festival-goers the chance to explore this remarkable historic house and its beautiful surroundings—an experience that continues to be a very popular part of the festival.

Our ongoing partnership with All Saints Church in High Wycombe sees the return of the Monday lunchtime concerts, offering audiences the chance to enjoy high-quality performances in an intimate setting. The Wooburn Singers, an integral part of the festival, once again present their “Come and Sing” event alongside their autumn concert.

As always, the festival is made possible by the generosity and commitment of our performers, speakers, sponsors and volunteers, to whom we are extremely grateful.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be another memorable Wooburn Festival.

With best wishes,

Brian Johnson
Chairman, Wooburn Festival