New Patron for cathedral city arts event.
Lichfield Festival has started its 35th anniversary by announcing that Julian Lloyd Webber is to become one of its Patrons. The celebrated former cellist, who recently took up the post of Principal of Birmingham Conservatoire, is a passionate advocate for the Midlands music and arts scene.
He joins the Festival’s two continuing patrons; Russian conductor and artistic director of St Petersburg’s famous Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev, and Lichfield MP and arts enthusiast Michael Fabricant MP.
Julian Lloyd Webber said, “I am delighted to become a Patron of Lichfield Festival. It has been an honour for me to perform at the Festival which has always been one of the finest in the land! I am pleased to see that it continues with its innovative programming which means that there is always something for everyone in this beautiful cathedral city.”
Artistic Director Sonia Stevenson commented, “It gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome Julian Lloyd Webber as Patron of Lichfield Festival. Julian is one of the most highly respected classical musicians in the country, and is now an equally admired leader in the education sector and these are two of the things that we value most as a festival: championing the best talent in the land, and nurturing the stars of the future. We look forward to working with Julian and forging closer links with Birmingham Conservatoire.”
Lichfield Festival is one of the most eclectic in the UK and this year marks its 35th anniversary. The festival will run from 1-10 July and programme details will be announced in late March. For details visit www.lichfieldfestival.org