Fairest Isle Festival

16/09/2026

A fabulous new 15-minute 'Sing The Score' video where our Artistic Director Robert Hollingworth (I Fagiolini) illuminates Monteverdi 1610 Vespers (CD released last week and already no. 3 in the UK Classical Chart). If you were at the festival finale in May you'll love this extra insight! Spongebob and the odd dinosaur get featured too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyKSIcAMSjA

02/09/2026

For those of you that experienced the sublime Festival Finale in May – I Fagiolini and The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble in Monteverdi 1610 Vespers... their recording is being released on 4th September – so you can treasure this in your own homes! Glorious news indeed.

Stream/pre-order here: https://orcd.co/ifagmont1610

29/07/2026

The Wight Proms Festival opens this week! This year's festival is part of Cowes Week to celebrate its 200th Anniversary - with three exclusive shows set amongst Northwood House's Cowes Week, what better way to honour this historic occasion!

Buy your Wight Proms Festival tickets here!

22/07/2026

Only two weeks to go! This year's Wight Proms Festival is part of Cowes Week to celebrate its 200th Anniversary!

Buy your Wight Proms Festival tickets here!

22/07/2026

You heard it on the island – and here are some sensational reviews from The Times (for their recent York performance) and a link to their BBC Sounds broadcast. Bravo I Fagiolini and ECSE. What an utter privilege to have experienced your 1610 Vespers at All Saints Church, Ryde!

24/06/2026

Super news from I Fagiolini who headlined our festival finale last month - led by Robert Hollingworth (our Festival Director). Congratulations! 💥

Our latest album is BBC Radio 3’s Record of the Week!

Andrew McGregor described the project as ‘an excellent series of recordings that have changed the landscape of 17th century music for multiple choirs’.

Listen or buy now from the link in the comments.

22/06/2026

✨ A fitting finale to an extraordinary festival.
I Fagiolini, The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble - ECSE, the Fairest Isle Festival Singers and an outstanding cast of soloists joined forces for Monteverdi's monumental 1610 Vespers at All Saints, Ryde.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Hollingworth, this breathtaking concert brought Fairest Isle Festival 2026 to a close in unforgettable style.

"One of the best classical music concerts I have ever attended."

"That was a stupendous performance of the Vespers, thank you so much for bringing it to the Island."

Thank you to our artists, supporters, volunteers and audiences for making this year's festival such a success. Until next time!

16/05/2026

This afternoon, come on over to The Sugar Store - Cowes and learn about 'four drunken women came from the Isle of Wight', a super 18th-century ballad, followed by a 'Gin & Senses' multisensory gin and/or tonic tasting experiment. If that was not enough the day finishes with a musical journey to the heart of Latin America led by Nicholas Mulroy!

https://www.fairestislefestival.com/whats-on-2026

15/05/2026

Tomorrow – a family event for all ages with lullabies from baroque and folk traditions at Aspire Ryde, 10 am! Tickets £4.

Tickets are available here: https://www.fairestislefestival.com/whats-on -villa:~:text=BAROQUE%20AND%20FOLK%20FUN