Words and music are mediums of communication for the representation of thought, feeling and experience. At their simplest, and their most complex, they are languages of imagination and invention. Through a meticulously crafted and strikingly original programme of themed concerts, talks and masterclasses, the Stratford International Festival of Words and Music is a unique celebration of ideas, and the remarkable effect that words and music can have on the world and the people around us. Download the Festival Diary
“The idea is everything; the rest of the world is an illusion”Matthew Arnold
“The Stratford International Festival of Words and Music is a celebration of the power of language to inspire thought and feeling, insight and reflection through an innovative programme of themed concerts and talks, designed to engage audiences of all ages and cultures.
For eleven days in September 2018, Stratford on Avon will assemble an international gathering of musicians, writers, artists and academics to join in a matchless diary of concerts, talks, debates and master-classes – all formed of the conviction that while words and music can enable us to better understand the past, they are definitive of our interaction with the present.”
Matthew Boyden
Artistic Director, Stratford International Festival of Words and Music
“With the government continuing to fail our arts institutions, with appalling funding cuts across the sector, there is an urgent need for music festivals to promote the incredible experiences that can be gained from live performance. The new Stratford Festival is doing just that, with a remarkable and inventive programme for 2018. The presentation of music and words as ideas to be enjoyed in tandem, in the company of some of the world’s most talented people, is certain to bring together audiences of all ages and backgrounds, from across the country. I wish the Festival every success.”
