Windsor hosts spring weekend festival

Highlights of the fifth Windsor Festival Spring Weekend, Thursday 12 - Sunday 15 March, include a performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor in the beautiful, historic surroundings of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and a concert by the Cappa Ensemble which includes Brian O’Kane, winner of the inaugural Windsor Festival International String Competition held last year.

The Ensemble will be playing works by Mozart, Schubert and Dvorak in the newly refurbished Picture Gallery at Royal Holloway University of London.

The highly popular literary series will also continue with talks and book signings by well known authors and public figures including a lunch with Jane Wellesley and Simon Scarrow and presentations by Melvyn Bragg, Virginia McKenna and crime writer Patrick Lennon. These will be combined with a programme of family events, films and heritage walks, which provide a fascinating insight into the local area.

Windsor Festival will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009. Founded in 1969 by the great violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Hunter as artistic directors, the Festival has presented events in St George’s Chapel and the State Apartments of Windsor Castle since its inception as well as Eton College and other venues around the Royal Borough. This tradition continues today with a varied programme of events, exhibitions and competitions creating one of the most vibrant, exciting and enjoyable festivals of its type.

For information about the Windsor Festival Spring Weekend log on to Windsorfestival.com. Postal booking opens 24th February; the website and online bookings will be live from noon on 25th February as will telephone bookings. Tickets can also be purchased from the Royal Windsor Information Centre in the Old Booking Hall at Windsor Royal Shopping (opposite the Castle) from 10am on 25th February.