Liberation International Music Festival

What to expect:

From a boat smuggling re-enactment to world-class concerts by the London Mozart Players and artists from New York's Lincoln Center, the festival offers something for everyone. Enjoy jazz with Clare Teal, choral works by the ORA Singers the celebration of the 100 years since the discovery of the tomb at Hougue Bie and more across iconic Jersey locations.

The Festival reflects the contrast and reflections between life off island where the liberating forces freed the population to much rejoicing to life on island where the cutting of food supplies had led to starvation. Don't miss this celebration of music, history, and freedom.

Events:

• Liberation Chamber Concert | An extraordinary evening of chamber music with artists from the Lincoln Centre New York. International pianist Wu Qian and friends will perform Dvořák’s great Piano Quintet, Rachmaninov’s passionate Elegiac Piano Trio, and Beethoven’s elegant String Trio in G major. Marvel at the brilliance of New York’s Lincoln Centre’s artists playing chamber music featuring international pianist Wu Qian alongside a stellar ensemble: Alexander Sitkovetsky, Harriet Mackenzie, Arnaud Sussman, and Nicholas Canellakis.

  This exceptional group will present a program of profound beauty and emotional depth, including Dvořák’s radiant Piano Quintet, Rachmaninov’s deeply expressive Elegiac Piano Trio, and Beethoven’s refined and spirited String Trio in G major. A rare opportunity to experience world-class musicianship in an intimate setting, this concert promises to be an unforgettable journey through some of the finest works in the chamber music repertoire.

• Liberation Gala - Jersey Chamber Orchestra | Join the Jersey Chamber Orchestra for a powerful concert marking Jersey’s 80th anniversary of Liberation. With iconic wartime film scores by Eric Coates and Ron Goodwin this event honours the island’s resilience in the face of occupation. International soloist Alexander Sitkovetsky performs Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, and the Jersey Chamber Choir performs classic songs. The programme blends classical and film music, capturing the spirit of the era.

  Programme: Creatures of Prometheus – Beethoven | Dvořák Violin Concerto – solo Alexander Sitkovetsky | 633 Squadron – Goodwin | Greater Love, Holy Boy, The Hills – Ireland | Battle of Britain Suite – Goodwin | Dambusters March – Coates

• Liberation Day Concert – The London Mozart Players | A spectacular Liberation Day celebration with the famous London Mozart Players, directed by the internationally acclaimed violinist Harriet Mackenzie, take you on a vibrant musical journey blending old and new with an exciting Latin American twist. Be knocked out by a new tango concerto and the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.

  Celebrate Liberation Day with the world renowned London Mozart Players and violinist Harriet Mackenzie in a thrilling concert blending classical and Latin American music.

  The programme features Mozart’s lively Divertimento in F, the world premiere of Ariel Pirotti’s fiery Liberation Tango Concerto, and Piazzolla’s passionate Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. The evening concludes with a medley of wartime songs, including We’ll Be Seeing You, capturing the spirit of Liberation Day.

• Quilter Cheviot presents ORA Singers: Liberté | Directed by Suzi Digby OBE, the ORA Singers perform Liberté, a new program marking Jersey's 80th Liberation Anniversary. The program opens with the theme of The Armed Man, followed by English choral works, including Tallis, Dove, and Stanford. At its heart is Howells' a cappella Requiem, alongside a specially commissioned work by Paweł Łukaszewski setting Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Prayers in the Time of Distress. The program also includes Poulenc’s Prayers for men's voices and concludes with the powerful Liberté from Poulenc's Figure humaine, a climactic anthem of freedom.

• Rozel Fort Musical Walk | A guided Musical walk around Rozel Bay showcasing the stunning Rozel Fort and surrounds with music by Matthew Lombard, a Liberation choir, and Jersey’s Young Artists of the Year. Performers fill the picturesque cove and its environs with music. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Rozel Bay, starting from the rose garden with a guided walk around Rozel Fort and its fabulous gardens. This is a rare chance to see the stunning gardens, open only on this day each year—spread over a dramatic hillside with breathtaking sea views across 180 degrees and over to France.

  Music in Action Young Artists will bring this setting to life with captivating performances. These rising stars, nurtured through Music in Action’s Young Artist Programme, will showcase their exceptional talent, creating an unforgettable experience in Rozel Bay.

• Escape to France Pt 1: Boat Smuggling & Procession | Join us for Escape to France, Part 1 an unforgettable day combining music, history, and adventure. After D-Day in France many brave Jersey men tried to escape Jersey and find freedom in France. Experience a boat smuggling reenactment and procession from Normans’ Warehouse to Gorey Pier (1-4pm). The procession will follow the horse drawn cart with musicals stops along the way. Sign up for the escape to France experience with a RIB trip to and a celebratory event in Granville, France, then cross the Channel for an evening concert at Gouray Church. Boat transport from Granville to Gorey Pier is included.

• Escape to France Pt 2: Granville RIB Experience | Join an unforgettable day of adventure as we re-enact escaping from Jersey to France in World War Two! Embark on a unique experience across the Channel departing Gorey at 8:30am by RIB to the charming port of Granville, France. After time exploring the port, a dramatic event in Notre-Dame de Granville tells the story through words and music of those brave escapees from Jersey to France by boat between 1944 -1945.

  A String Quartet will perform a captivating programme, with music related to the seas. Return to Jersey at 1:30pm. Part 3 is a related show from 6-7pm in the beautiful setting of Gouray Church.

• Escape to France Pt 3: The Gorey Story | Join an unforgettable third part to our concert series of adventure in this series, telling the story of the dramatic escapes from Jersey to France! Make haste with fellow WW2 escapees in Gouray Church to hear through re-enact escaping from Jersey to France in World War Two by boat between 1944 -1945. Acclaimed violinist Harriet Mackenzie and her quartet including violist Dorothea Vogel, and cellist Urška Horvat, will perform a captivating programme, with music related to the seas. At 7.30pm the escape boat will be launched in Gorey Harbour to finish the event.

• The Soldier with No Name: Theatre Show | This immersive production explores heroine Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore's creative legacy as the threat of invasion and occupation loomed. Faced with the decision to flee to safer territory or to stay and protect the island they decided to resist. The show tells the story how Claude and Marcel challenged the authority of the German’s using their creativity before being arrested and sentenced to death.

  Under the direction of Flora MacAngus, see the brilliance of Harriet Mackenzie (violin), Anna Tilbrook (piano) and Urska Horvat (cello) as the artists musical expressions weave seamlessly with Claude's narrative, offering the audience a captivating exploration of art and emotion.