STAFFORDSHIRE’S Lucy Crowe is scaling the heights of the opera world.
The Marchington soprano, who was coached locally before studying at the Royal Academy of Music, is having a breakthrough season - with full page broadsheet coverage, sparkling reviews and a starring role in the Royal Opera House production of Rigoletto.
This summer she is on hallowed ground - at Glyndebourne - taking the lead in The Cunning Vixen, an opera which will be screened to cinemas around the world.
But there is a rare chance to see the talented singer in more intimate surroundings when she gives a recital tomorrow at Dovedale Arts Festival.
The three-day festival, dubbed the peak of perfection by the Telegraph critic Rupert Christiansen, opens tomorrow with a privat e art viewing, buffet supper at 7.15 followed by Lucy’s recital with delebrated accompanist Roger Vignoles at 9pm.
The Saturday programme opens at noon with a talk by Radio 4’s Matthew Parris on Great Lives, followed by Charles Saumarez Smith, chief executive of the Royal Academy, historian Anna Reid on the siege of Leningrad and Robert Douglas-Fairhurst on Dickens. The day finishes with a jazz evening and dinner.
David Hockney is the subject of Sunday’s first talk, followed by author Marina Lewycka and poets David Harsent and Jo Shapcott.
The festival is brought to a close with a talk by the Duke of Devonshire on the astes and friendships that have informed a lifetime of collecting art and ceramics.
This year the festival is being held at The Izaak Walton Hotel, a short journey out of Ashbourne and if you needed any more persuasion, fishing permits are available during the weekend.
For ticket availability for all sessions - go to http://www.dovedalearts.co.uk.
