Budleigh Music Festival announces change to line up

Organisers of this month’s Budleigh Music Festival have announced a last minute change to their line-up, after their ‘Rising Star’ performer had to pull out due to illness.

The festival’s Rising Star for 2023, pianist Ethan Loch, was due to perform at the festival on Monday 3 July, but withdrew from the event last week.

Now organisers have secured another young musician, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, to perform in Ethan’s place.

Chair of the festival, Kate Somerby, said; “Jeneba gave a commanding performance last year, to a sell-out crowd who leapt to their feet and cheered at the end. We can’t wait to see her again, bringing a new programme of Prokofiev, Debussy, Shostakovitch and Beethoven. We’re all thrilled that she was able to return to Budleigh Salterton at such short notice.”

Hailing from one of the most talked about musical families in the UK, 19 year old Jeneba made her concerto debut at The Proms in 2021.

Budleigh Music Festival starts on Friday 30 June continuing until Saturday 8 July, and features both lunchtime and evening performances. With ticket prices starting from £5 organisers say that there is something to suit all musical tastes, including this last minute change.

Kate said: “Jeneba is the perfect addition to our exciting line up. We want to throw open the doors to our festival and show people in Devon and further afield that there is no better place to enjoy live classical music, and that regardless of your taste or musical knowledge, there will be something for you here.”

For further information about the festival, and to purchase tickets to this year’s performances, go to: www.budleighmusicfestival.co.uk