Open Garden
Visit the lovely woodland garden of Ian and Betty Wood in Sarn
Venue: Y Felin, Sarn Meyllteyrn. Refreshments available

Plant Fair
By kind permission of Sir Jeremy and Lady Chance.
Venue: Ty'n y Berllan, Lôn Ednyfed, Criccieth
Free admission • Refreshments available.
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Opening concert
The New World Ensemble Conductor: Andy Long
Nicola Phillips - flute and Deian Rowlands - harp

The New World Ensemble is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the most versatile orchestras in the UK. A select group of musicians, many are soloists in their own right. Joined here by Nicola Phillips and Deian Rowlands, who have played for HM The Queen and the Royal Family en familie, the programme will include music by Handel, Vivaldi, Pachelbel, Boyce and Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp. This concert really promises to be one of the highlights of the Festival, which many will kick themselves for missing when they hear the rave reviews! Venue: Memorial Hall, Criccieth

Sponsors: Carl Kammerling International Ltd & Salvi Harps

David of the White Rock Concert
with Harriet Earis & Gwenan Gibbard (celtic harps)

David Owen, a famous blind harper and composer, lived in the early C18th and was known locally as Dafydd y Garreg Wen (David of The White Rock) Carreg Wen being the name of the farm near Morfa Bychan on which he lived. Tradition has it that as Owen lay on his death bed, he called for his harp and composed the haunting air. He died at the age of 29. The words were added by the poet John Ceiriog Hughes almost a hundred years later. The melody is perhaps the most famous of all Welsh airs today. The grave of David of the White Rock is located at St. Cynhaearn Church and two of Wales' finest exponents of the Celtic harp come together for the first time in this special concert. Venue: St. Cynhaearn Church, Ynyscynhaearn, Pentrefelin OS Map Ref: SH 525 388 through the gated road following the row of cottages on the right, when approaching from Criccieth.

Festival Lunch • From Glyndebourne to Galeri
with guest speaker Elen ap Robert soprano, music therapist, presenter and artistic director of Galeri, Caernarfon. The ticket includes musical interludes during luncheon and free admission to Portmeirion, the famous Italianate village built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis on the Dwyryd Estuary in Meirionethshire.
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The Amigos • Gypsy Jazz
Performing their contagious mix of Gypsy influenced music from all around the World, the full five-piece Amigos line-up of two guitars, vocals, violin, accordion & bass have been wowing audiences throughout the UK since 1997- From roaring authentic Gypsy anthems through to Tex Mex classics, The Amigos are a must see and hear outfit of the highest calibre. Venue: Memorial Hall

Recital
Caryl Hughes mezzo soprano
Joseph Middleton piano

Originally from Aberdaron, Caryl recently completed her studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Accompanied by Joseph Middleton, her programme will include music by Rossini, Obradors, Grieg, Granados, Faure and Welsh traditional songs. Venue: Memorial Hall

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Abigail's Party
The Starlight Players are Criccieth's very own Amateur Dramatic Society. This year's dramatic production goes back to the 70s, with "Abigail's Party" by Mike Leigh. The drama will be performed every Tuesday evening from 29th May to the 26th June

Flower Festival
The variety and scope of the arrangements are truly, "more adventurous each year". The theme of this year's Festival within a Festival, is Our Church in the World of 1957 which takes a nostalgic look at the year this church was built fifty years ago. What will the flower arrangers chose? Some of their choices are bound to be intriguing and even surprising.

Venue: The Church of the Holy Spirit, Caernarfon Road, Criccieth

Programmes available at the Church. Although admittance is free, visitors are urged to make a generous contribution to the parish. All donations are gratefully received. Refreshments served.

Piano Concert: From Russia with Love
Evgenia Startseva &
Yuri Paterson-Olenich

"Two hands good, four hands better"? Seriously, this inspirational programme will include music from the Pier Gynt Suite by Grieg, works by Schubert and Debussy and Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky. Evgenia and Yuri, a young husband and wife duo, bring us an exciting programme of piano solos and duets. Both have studied at conservatories across the whole breadth of Europe, so this concert promises to be one of those rare not-to-be-missed opportunities to hear an unusual, inspired and spirited performance right here in Criccieth. And who can refuse what is brought to us, "From Russia with Love"? Venue: Memorial Hall, Criccieth

Baroness Williams of Crosby
David Lloyd George Memorial Lecture
Born in 1930, Shirley Williams was first elected to parliament in 1964, but lost her seat in the election of 1979. A member of the labour party for 35 years, she was clear by 1980 that it had lost its way and she co-founded the SDP as one of the "Gang of Four". She became the first elected SDP MP (representing Crosby) in 1981, losing it in 1983 following boundary changes. Baroness Williams was professor of elective politics in Harvard 1988-2000 and held lecturing posts at other Ivy League universities in the USA and Cambridge in the UK. Married to the late Professor Richard Neustadt a leading US political scientist. Her first husband was the philosopher Bernard Williams. Baroness Williams follows a line of well-known politicians and distinguished public servants to give the David Lloyd George Memorial Lecture. For a short history of the DLG lectures, see here Venue: Capel Moriah, Llanystumdwy

Sponsors: Mrs Greta George and the Chair of Gwynedd Council

Polyphonic Brass Quintet Concert for Children:
"We are extremely excited about returning to the Criccieth Festival. Without giving too much away, we will be playing a wide variety of really fun music with lots of audience participation!" Venue: The Memorial Hall, Criccieth

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In association with Ty Newydd, the National Writers Centre of Wales:
Dod i Ben (End of an Era)
Readings by Dic Jones, who is one the most popular poets in Wales today. He wrote for Golwg until recently, contributing over 300 poems over the years. Enjoy the company of this chaired poet as he reads and discusses some of his work. Please note this item will be in Welsh
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The Sacconi String Quartet + David Campbell
Ben Hancox violin
Hannah Dawson violin
Robin Ashwell viola
Cara Berridge cello
and David Campbell - clarinet

Since appearing at Criccieth Festival 2006, this outstanding young quartet has been awarded an Angel Award by The Herald newspaper for outstanding performances at the Edinburgh Festival. This year the Sacconi Quartet are joined by David Campbell, who is internationally recognised as one of Britain's finest musicians and was described by the late Jack Brymer, the doyen of British clarinettists, as "the finest player of his generation". Music by Schubert, Brahms and Mozart. Will they play the Mozart or the Brahms Clarinet Concerto? Whichever it is, this is sure to be a very special concert. Venue: The Memorial Hall, Criccieth

In association with Ty Newydd, The National Writers' Centre for Wales:
Mererid Hopwood: Singing in Chains
Winner of the National Eisteddfod Chair in 2001 and the Crown in 2003, Dr Hopwood makes a welcome return to Criccieth Festival. In her own inimitable way, she will take us on a brief journey (in English) through the history of "cynghanedd" and the joy of writing in such a strict form.

Cardiff International Academy of Voice
Director Dennis O'Neill. It was a dream come true for Dennis when this exciting new venture commenced at Cardiff University in January this year. Dennis has selected his students from the most talented budding professionals in the world, so be here to hear soloists from the Cardiff International Academy of Voice for their first appearance in North Wales! They follow in the footsteps of Bryn Terfel and Dennis O'Neill himself, who both sang at the first Criccieth Festival in 1988.

Norah King - Soprano (Ireland)
Gergely Nemeti - Tenor (Romania)
Seung-Wook Seong - Baritone (Korea)
and Michael Pollock Piano

The programme will include operatic arias, duets and trios from Don Giovanni by Mozart, La Traviata, Rigoletto and Don Carlos by Verdi, Bizet's Pearl Fishers, Puccini's La Boheme, Porgy & Bess by Gershwin and Gournod's Romeo and Juliet. Venue: Memorial Hall, Criccieth

Venue: The Memorial Hall, Criccieth

Festival Finale
• The Rhos Male Voice Choir
• Margaret Williams - soprano
• Hiroko Sue -- koto
Accompanied by Annette Bryn Parry and Band

The warm sound of this very special male voice choir from Rhosllanerchrugog, near Wrexham will be complemented by the much loved voice of Margaret Williams in a programme of all-time favourites.
East meets West with Hiroko Sue, the internationally known koto player from Japan.

• Sponsor: First Hydro

followed by:

Firework Display over the Castle
Criccieth Festival ends with a bang once again!
A tremendous sight at a pretty unique site once darkness has fallen.

Festival Service: Cry Freedom
A bilingual ecumenical celebration led by the Rev. Aled Jones-Williams at St Catherine's Church, Criccieth.