Following its successful debut in 2020, The Vache Baroque Festival will be returning for a full
season of Baroque delights for 2021
● The season will run from 28 August to 5 September with a varied programme of opera,
dance, drama and much more. There will also be a Spring event on 29 May
● VBF will host a variety of community and education based initiatives throughout the year to
realise their mission of making Baroque music more accessible
● The festival also launches its membership scheme today, VBFriends, giving people the
opportunity to support their mission in a variety of ways
● Early bird tickets for members go on sale today (Thursday 15 April) from 10am
● Tickets will go on sale to the general public from 10am on Thursday 22 April
Today (Thursday 15 April)
The Vache Baroque Festival, an innovative open-air music venue that
brings audiences re-imagined Baroque music in a stunning setting, announced its return for a second
year. Following the success of its 2020 debut with Purcell’s opera Dido & Aeneas, the festival has
expanded and will provide audiences with a full season of Baroque delights for 2021.
Highlights include Bach and Milton: Paradise and Pandemonium, a dramatic reading of extracts
from John Milton’s epic poems punctuated with the music of J.S. Bach, and two staged performances
of Handel’s popular pastoral opera, Acis & Galatea. We also welcome the return of dance group
BirdGang Ltd for an evening of contemporary dance to the sound of traditional Baroque dance
music.
This year, we will be working with local museum, Milton’s Cottage. As the home of visionary poet
and political writer, John Milton, it was in this 16th century cottage that Milton wrote his epic
masterpieces, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. As 2021 marks the 350th year since the
publication of Paradise Regained, we are excited to pay tribute to one of Chalfont St Giles most
famous cultural figures in our 2021 programme.
We also welcome the support of James Bowman, one of the world’s leading countertenors for the
past 50 years, who has joined us as Patron for the 2021 festival.
James Bowman, Patron of VBF said: “I am delighted to be Patron for The Vache’s 2021 Festival, and
having seen the programme, I’m really looking forward to being there. There are some excellent
opportunities for young performers, which as we all know is so important at this difficult time.”
OUR MISSION
VBF’s mission is to provide high-quality productions of Baroque music and drama, engage new and
more diverse audience members and performers, and help to reimagine classical music in a more
accessible, sustainable and enjoyable way for future generations.
We plan to realise this with a variety of initiatives, such as opening the dress rehearsal of Acis &
Galatea to local community groups and individuals via a complimentary ticket ballot and creating a
mentoring scheme for selected student singers.
We will also host numerous youth projects throughout the year, including the development of a
schools workshop programme inspired by our Dance Suites feat. BirdGang Ltd show and
performance opportunities within the 2021 season for local children.
NEW MEMBERSHIP SCHEME LAUNCHED
The festival also launches its membership scheme today – VBFriends. By becoming a member of the
festival you will support VBF in carrying out our mission. Members will enjoy many benefits,
including priority booking to all performances, access to special events and socials, and access to
exclusive content.
THE VACHE BAROQUE FESTIVAL 2021 SEASON
Coffee Baroque – Saturday 29 May 2021
For most of us, the day can only begin once we’ve had that comforting cup of coffee. The
combination of strong aroma, heavy body, and rich flavour (mixed with the magical powers of
caffeine) make for the perfect start to any morning. And as a nation of avid coffee lovers, what could
be better than a musical homage to our favourite hot drink? Feed your addiction and join us for a
coffee-themed event of witty music, poetry and refreshments as The Vache Baroque Festival
and Milton’s Cottage bring you J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata. This is a family friendly event. Laura
Attridge is the director and Jonathan Darbourne is the musical director. Confirmed cast includes
Richard Latham (bass), Betty Makharinsky (soprano) and Bradley Smith (tenor).
Bach and Milton: Paradise and Pandemonium – Saturday 28 August 2021
Stuck in the Garden of Eden with an irresistible temptation and the persuasive voice of Satan, Eve is
faced with a moral dilemma. Later, the devil is up to the same trickery in an attempt to reduce Jesus
to the same humiliating fate. Covering themes of obedience and defiance, virtue and sin,
degradation and redemption, Milton forces us to confront life’s biggest dilemmas. Join us for a
dramatic reading of extracts from John Milton’s renowned epic poems Paradise Lost and Paradise
Regained, brought to you by two acclaimed British actors (to be announced). The readings will be
punctuated by three J.S. Bach cantatas with texts linked to Milton’s themes (BWV 19, 54 and 80).
Jonathan Darbourne is the musical director. Confirmed soloists include James Hall (countertenor)
and Nick Pritchard (tenor).
Dance Suites feat. BirdGang Ltd – Monday 30 August 2021
Avant-garde movement meets traditional Baroque dance music in this exciting collaboration between
the Vache Baroque Festival and BirdGang Ltd. Presented by Master of Ceremonies, Ukweli Roach,
BirdGang Ltd dancers add a modern twist to 17th and 18th century dance music with their impactful
choreography. Experience Baroque like you never have before as we take you on a Vaudevillian
journey of creative delights. Jonathan Darbourne is the musical director. Further details to be
announced.
Acis & Galatea – Friday 3 and Sunday 5 September 2021
Handel’s pastoral opera follows the romantic story of Acis, a mortal shepherd, and Galatea, an
ethereal nymph, whose undying love is fated by the jealousy of the monstrous giant Polyphemus. As
Handel’s most enduring dramatic work, this beautiful tale of love, tragedy and prevailing hope will
transport you to the idyllic utopia of nymphs and shepherds. Directed by Sophie Gilpin, designed by
Laura Stanfield, musically directed by Jonathan Darbourne. Confirmed cast includes Rowan Pierce
(Galatea), James Way (Acis) and Tristan Hambleton (Polyphemus). Further details to be announced.
Tickets are now on sale to VBFriends for all performances and can be purchased via an exclusive
booking link, which will be emailed directly once becoming a member. To become a VBFriend please
visit our website
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10am on Thursday 22 April
https://vachebaroquefestival.com/whats-on/
Production Information
Coffee Baroque – J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata
There will be two performances of Coffee Baroque on Saturday 29 May 2021
Grounds will be open from 10.30am-12.30pm for the first performance. Please arrive no later
than 11am.
Grounds will be open from 3pm-5pm for the second performance. Please arrive no later than
3.30pm.
Bach and Milton: Paradise and Pandemonium
6.45pm, Saturday 28 August 2021
Grounds open at 3.30pm for picnicking and exploring, as well as enjoying sound installations and
pre-show pop-up performances.
The main performance is scheduled to begin at 6.45pm, but may start up to half an hour before the
scheduled start time due to changing weather conditions. We therefore recommend that all guests
arrive no later than 6.15pm.
Running time is 75 mins, two acts with a short interval
Dance Suites feat. BirdGang Ltd
6.30pm, Monday 30 August 2021
Grounds open at 4.30pm for picnicking and exploring.
The main performance is scheduled to begin at 6.30pm, but may start up to half an hour before the
scheduled start time due to changing weather conditions. We therefore recommend that all guests
arrive no later than 6pm.
Running time is around 75 mins, two acts with a short interval
Acis & Galatea, Handel
6.30pm, Friday 3 September 2021
6.30pm, Sunday 5 September 2021
Grounds open at 3.30pm for picnicking and exploring, as well as enjoying sound installations and
pre-show pop-up performances.
The main performance is scheduled to begin at 6.30pm, but may start up to half an hour before the
scheduled start time due to changing weather conditions. We therefore recommend that all guests
arrive no later than 6pm.
Running time is 90 mins, two acts with a short interval
Themed picnic hampers will be provided by our catering partner Rosehip + Rye and can be purchased
prior to each event via our website. Sweet and savoury food will also be available to buy on site, as
well as a selection of soft and alcoholic beverages from our bar.
The Vache, Vache Lane, Chalfont St. Giles, HP8 4SD
Facebook: The Vache Baroque Festival
Instagram: @vachebaroquefest
Twitter: @vachebaroque
U35 tickets are available across all performances