One of the main stars of a forthcoming arts festival has recently gained world-wide exposure, thanks to his performance during the recent Royal wedding.

Classical cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason shot to fame after being personally invited to play Ave Maria during the Wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle as they signed the register in the closing moments of the ceremony, which was broadcast all over the world to an estimated audience of 2 billion people.

Sheku, 19, is to appear alongside his siblings, pianist Isata, and violinist Braimah, as the Kanneh-Mason piano trio at the 44th Mananan International Festival of the Arts, held at the Erin Arts centre over two weeks in June.

The classically trained family are all students at the Royal Academy for Music, and have been performing chamber music together publicly for many years.

Sheku and Isata performed on the island last year to great acclaim.

They will appear on the closing night of the festival, on Saturday, June 30.

The two-week festival will also feature an wide range of acts, performances and demonstrations from a varied range of backgrounds, nationalities and influences including classical recitation, flamenco dancing, world music and theatre.

Beginning on Saturday, June 16, the festival opens with the musical comedy duo Worby and Farrell, followed by the Welsh and classical harp duo Two Harps, featuring Ieuan Jones and David Lloyd-Williams on Sunday.

Monday, June 18 sees a recital of Schubert and Vaughn-Williams by the Schubert Ensemble, who are touring the UK for the final time.

The five-piece chamber music ensemble, who feature William Howard on piano, Simon Blendis on violin, cellist Jane Salmon, double bassist Peter Buckoke and Douglas Paterson, are bringing the curtain down on a 35-year career together, during which time they have been at the forefront of UK chamber music .

A demonstration on flower arranging by the celebrated UK floral artist Arthur MacDonald follows, on Tuesday evening and pianist Ronan O’Hora appears on Wednesday, 21.

Another of the most eagerly awaited concerts comes from the global world music collective Kabantu, who appear on Friday, June 22.

The Manchester group feature an eclectic mix of musicians, from classically trained South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, jazz and folk violinist Katie Foster, French guitarist Ben Sayah and percussionist Delia Stevens, and, this year, they release their debut album, ’Of The People’.

There also will be a five-night focus on Shakespeare, with three different versions of ’A Mid Summer Night’s Dream’, including a stage adaption from 1981, a 2016 BBC production and a 1935 star-studded Hollywood film, starring James Cagney, Mickey Rooney and Olivia de Havilland.

Tickets prices vary for each night. To book tickets or to find out more information, contact the Erin Arts Centre on 832662 or at [email protected]

The Kanneh-Mason evening has sold out.

by Mike Wade

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