Cantilena is a week-long festival of classical chamber music on the beautiful and romantic island of Islay. Along with five professional players Cantilena selects gifted students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to perform and learn alongside musicians who have all worked with Britain’s major Orchestras. This is a rare and highly sought-after privilege for these young professionals and Cantilena is the only opportunity for Islay residents and visitors to hear music which ranges from Italian Renaissance to the present day. The festival was established in 2001 and now attracts audiences from as far afield as Germany and Italy, thanks to the intimate and informal atmosphere of the venues which include some of the island’s famous malt whisky distilleries.
The 2018 Festival runs from Sunday 8 July to Friday 13 July. The programme includes music by Vivaldi, Brahms, Bridge and Shostakovich. Some of the works have been chosen to reflect the commemorative events taking place on Islay marking the loss of the SS Tuscania and HMS Otranto during WWI.