A brand-new festival celebrating the City of London’s unique environment, beauty and creativity will take place in October.
Beginning on 10 October 2024 and running for two weeks (until 24 October), the City Festival of Music, Invention and Knowledge (CFMIK) programme promises an exciting programme of evening events performed and presented by world-class classical and jazz musicians, plus a series of free, Before They Are Famous lunchtime recitals, given by some of the UK’s brightest musical talents, in the beautiful and historic settings of Sir Christopher Wren’s (1632-1723) churches.
There’s a decidedly Italian flavour to the Festival, not least inspired by the current Lord Mayor of London’s heritage. Michael Mainelli can trace his roots back to Liguria and, as part of his year-long mayoral theme of Connect to Prosper, the City Festival of Music, Invention and Knowledge, has forged a partnership with the Municipality of Genoa (Comune di Genoa) to bring the music of Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) into the heart of the City.
Paganini was born in Genoa and fans of the great composer’s music will feel particularly spoiled, as the entire programme of concerts will contain flavours of his work – in original, arranged or improvised pieces – in each performance, including the free events supported by the Comune di Genoa.
Innovative Genoese performers, Elisa Tomellini and Alberto Casadei – AKA Eklectric Duo – will be playing in Milton Court (on Wednesday 16 October), with a performance billed as Electric Paganini. This varied evening will delight music lovers with Paganini’s Cantabile and Variations on one String on a Theme by Rossini through to versions of Vivaldi, Daft Punk and Coldplay hits.
The concluding day of the Festival (Thursday 24 October) will see the renowned conductor of the Tenebrae Choir, Nigel Short, lead a workshop and short performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria by a collective of workplace choirs, at St Lawrence Jewry.
Although music is at its very heart, the new festival also draws inspiration from other aspects of City life. There is something for everyone to experience, discover and enjoy, including a series of complementary talks and workshops, with opportunities to appreciate the nature and beauty of the City, and uncover the histories and hidden mysteries of the music itself.
The Festival of Music, Invention & Knowledge is supported by the Lord Mayor, Michael Mainelli, as part of his mayoral theme Connect to Prosper, the City of London’s Destination City programme, and the Comune of Genoa. Curated by artistic director Ian Ritchie, and produced by Tessa Marchington, Music in Offices.
The Festival’s Patron, The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London, Michael Mainelli says: “I am delighted to see this new Festival happening in the City of London during the final weeks of my year as Lord Mayor. It reflects the nature of our ‘Square Mile’ as a trading place and cultural destination, internationally and locally. Through music and other arts, it amplifies and celebrates the City as a global hub for experimentation and invention, science and technology, education and knowledge – some key themes of my mayoralty.
Find out more, and book your tickets here.
