A performance at a Lake District festival next month will be broadcast on Radio 3.
Aerial takes place in Ambleside from November 8 to November 11 and will feature the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish composer Erland Cooper and and BBC Radio 3’s Elizabeth Alker.
On November 9, St Mary’s Church will welcome Cooper and the entire orchestra to reimagine his acclaimed work Carve the Runes Then be Content with Silence in a performance to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Unclassified, hosted by presenter Elizabeth Alker.
Elizabeth said: “Our aim with Unclassified is to create a moment for listeners to escape into and dream, and to be able to do this in a place as beautiful as the Lake District with Erland Cooper in collaboration with the mighty BBC Philharmonic is such a privilege.
“I can’t wait to invite our Radio 3 audience into the serene atmosphere of St Mary’s Church in the stunning environs of Ambleside with music that is mindful of nature and all its mysteries.”
Aerial, in partnership with Inward Eye Film Festival and Zeffirellis Cinema, is bringing cultural stars to Ambleside for a weekend of film, performance, music and
talks.
The festival will open with a restaging of the world premiere of iconic British film Withnail and I, which took place at Zeffirellis in 1987.
Paul McGann, who starred as I, will join the festival for a conversation about the impact the film has had and continues to have across generations and around the world with journalist and best-selling author Luke Turner.
Paul McGann will also close the festival with a gala event on Sunday.
Author Amy Liptrot will also attend Aerial for a special screening of The Outrun, produced by and starring Saoirse Ronan, the film adaptation of Amy’s award-winning memoir.
Actor/director Mark McGann will host the annual Inward Eye Short Film competition and will present a talk, Mixing Mediums: poetry and active silence as human narrative in film.
Filmmakers are asked to respond to the theme Mixing Mediums. Anyone can submit a film for consideration, visit www.aerialfestival.com
There is also a free all ages event from music ensemble Propellor.
Sam Hunt, of Aerial, said: “We had originally hoped to stage a festival way back in 2020 but plans were paused because of the pandemic, despite that our audience donated over £4,000 to Ambleside food bank.
“So it is great that with our partners at BBC Radio 3, Zeffirellis and Inward Eye and valued support from Westmorland and Furness Council we are able to start again.
“We think Aerial is quite unlike any other festival, its purpose is to celebrate this incredible area as a place of contemporary inspiration and it is a dream to at the
beginning of something we believe will quickly become important for the area and our community.”
