Sir Cliff Richard to headline Hampton Court Palace Festival (From Sutton Guardian)

Sir Cliff Richard to headline Hampton Court Palace Festival

10:00am Saturday 15th December 2012 in Freetime By Clare Buchanan

British music icon Cliff Richard will headline at next year’s Hampton Court Palace festival.

Billed as Britain’s answer to Elvis Presley, Sir Cliff’s music career spans over six decades and with 250m records sold, he is known as one of Europe’s original rock’n’roll stars.

This week festival organisers announced he will perform much-loved classics and new songs in the open-air court of King Henry VIII’s palace for the event, which visitors can now buy tickets for.

Sir Cliff says: “It’s wonderful to be invited to perform at such a prestigious festival and historic venue. I’m thrilled to share my music with the audience in the beautiful palace grounds.”

The annual festival will also host Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, one of America’s most successful pop and rock group from the 1960s, and classical artist Russell Watson and his orchestra.

Watson says: “I’m delighted to be taking part in the Hampton Court Palace Festival next summer. I’m thoroughly looking forward to performing alongside some truly great artists and musical talent.”

Hampton Court Palace Festival veteran Jools Holland will also entertain with former Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis and his rhythm and blues orchestra.

The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will play scores from the mainstream masters of classical music along with upcoming trumpeter Melissa Venema from the Netherlands.

The artists will perform in the historic main courtyard of the Tudor palace creating an intimate atmosphere for an audience of 3,000.

Festival-goers can relax with drinks and picnics before the shows and during the intervals in the palace gardens, where a fireworks display will round off the evening.

Hampton Court Palace Festival 2013; at Hampton Court Palace; from Thursday, June 13, to Saturday June 22. Tickets range from £45 to £70; available from hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com.