Arts festival to be staged at iconic London building

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 with the Fron Male Voice Choir, Gilbert’s & Sullivan’s The Yeomen of the Guard presented by Carl Rosa Opera, Dame Kiri de 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. 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.

The Tower Festival was masterminded by impresario Harvey Goldsmith CBE, one of the most respected classical music promoters in the world and the man who invented stadium opera. Goldsmith first delighted the British public in the eighties by promoting and staging such classical music concerts with Luciano Pavarotti at Hyde Park and Wembley Stadium along with the groundbreaking Three Tenor concerts with Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo.

He was also responsible for bringing opera to the masses with Aida at Earls Court and then touring productions of Carmen and Tosca. A larger than life character, Harvey is also a tireless champion and promoter of charitable events and causes, in 1982 he promoted Live Aid along with Bob Geldof raising £140 million and has since raised hundreds of millions for the Princes Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust, Net Aid and various other charities.

Commenting on the forthcoming on the Tower Festival Harvey Goldsmith added; “I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be working with Historic Royal Palaces and the Tower of London to bring what is arguably the finest classical music and arts festival to be staged in one of London’s most historic and iconic buildings.”

Tickets for the Tower Festival 2009 are on sale now.

For more information and tickets go to Towerfestival.com.