Countertenor Iestyn Davies and harpist Oliver Wass present a programme of music spanning 400 years at the Royal Pavilion.
The 60th Brighton Festival is set to take place this year, spanning 24 days with a programme that includes over 100 different events. Among the scheduled performances, the Music Room at the Royal Pavilion will host a recital featuring countertenor Iestyn Davies and harpist Oliver Wass on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at 20:00. For those of us who regularly attend events in Brighton, the Music Room offers a specific acoustic environment that often shapes how these classical programmes are experienced. This particular concert is part of the festival’s commemorative edition, bringing together two musicians with distinct backgrounds to present a selection of music that covers 400 years.
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The programme is designed to move through various musical periods, beginning with works by Monteverdi, Purcell, and Handel. It then transitions into pieces by Giovanni Maria Trabaci, Frescobaldi, and Cavalli, before incorporating 20th-century and contemporary compositions by Poulenc, Manuel de Falla, Amy Beach, Nico Muhly, and Anna Meredith. The inclusion of traditional songs and harp solos adds variety to the structure of the evening. Iestyn Davies, who holds an MBE and has performed roles such as David in Handel’s 'Saul' at Glyndebourne, provides the vocal element. He is joined by Oliver Wass, a professor at the Royal College of Music and the first harpist to be awarded the Guildhall School’s Gold Medal. Their combined performance is intended to highlight the evolution of music across these centuries.
If you are considering attending, tickets are available at a standard price of £50.00. Please note that there is a £3.50 booking fee for tickets purchased via phone or online, although this charge is waived for festival members. During the interval, a complimentary drink—either wine or a non-alcoholic option—will be provided. The event is open to attendees aged five and older, with the condition that anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the performance. This recital serves as one of the many components of the festival, offering a focused musical experience within the historic setting of the Royal Pavilion.
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