Brecon Baroque Festival

Brecon Baroque Festival was established by Rachel Podger in 2006. Each October Rachel gathers together some of the world’s leading period musicians for a long weekend of performances and workshops in Brecon Cathedral and Theatr Brycheiniog, bookended by walks and talks in and around Brecon.

Rachel’s commitment to the next generation also means that each festival includes opportunities for students and younger musicians to be involved and play alongside musicians at the height of their profession.

Workshops, rehearsals and performance opportunities for young musicians, students and professionals in the early years of their careers. The Festival’s closing concert is given each year by Brecon Baroque Festival Orchestra, made up of promising young musicians from the UK’s conservatoires, young professionals starting out in their careers, and members of South Powys Youth Music, the Brecon-based charity which provides high quality music-making opportunities for school-aged students across the county.

Over the years, the Festival has developed a close relationship with The Rhyd Day Service which supports adults with learning disabilities. This year we are adding the Healthy Lives Project under the umbrella of Powys People First to our list of community partners.

We are planning exciting music and art projects with these sections of the community throughout 2024, with a grand reveal at festival time.

Brecon is situated in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The stunning countryside, the pace of life, and the whole ethos of the Welsh rural and cultural heritage make it a unique place to visit. Beyond the Festival, there are masses of paths and trails for walkers, runners, cyclists, mountain bikers, horse riders and wildlife-watchers.

There’s a brilliant range of organised activities on offer too, from gentle recreational pursuits like photography to full-on adrenaline sports such as paragliding, rafting and abseiling.