In 2021 Richmond Castle, and the town of Richmond that grew under its protection, will celebrate its 950th birthday with a year-long programme of events and projects. Many local organisations are celebrating this big birthday and we are delighted to be one of them. 

On Sat 5 June Hildegard Transfigured - a concert of beautiful medieval music by the exceptional vocal trio VOICE accompanied by a stunning light show - will be staged at St. Mary’s Church in Richmond: a Swaledale Festival event in collaboration with Richmond 950. 

Hildegard Transfigured is an in-depth exploration into the world of the 12th century nun Hildegard of Bingen and her on-going legacy. This collaborative piece of concert-theatre presented by female vocal trio VOICE, psychedelic visual-artist Chris Tomsett (aka Innerstrings), and composer/director Laura Moody uses live visuals, text and music to celebrate Hildegard’s work as a composer and visionary. The audience will hear her original music alongside contemporary pieces by British composers inspired by her work, while being surrounded by a stunning light show recreating Hildegard’s visions.

There will be two performances: 8:30pm to 9:30pm and 11:00pm to 12:00am, and the event is generously supported by Purple Creative Studio. Tickets will go on sale in March.

Phil Upton, Managing Director of Purple and key organiser of Richmond 950 says: ‘We are delighted that Swaledale Festival is taking part with this immersive experience of sound, text, colour and imagery - a cutting-edge event for this fantastic church in Richmond, and as part of the 950th celebrations.’

The Richmond 950 programme includes many other one-off events from concerts to talks, markets to brewing and golf to garden openings. There are also larger projects such as the creation of a new woodland with 950 trees, community archaeology, and an exhibition showing how Richmond has communicated through the centuries. Click here for more info.