In 2013 the Chester Music Festival was reborn with financial backing from major city employer MBNA and a new vision from Chester Performs.

Now dubbed as ‘the musicians’ festival’, the fortnight long festival of classical music is programmed by the performers themselves.

The backbone of this programming is Ensemble Deva, the region’s newest chamber music group.

The Ensemble is made up of some of Europe’s most gifted musicians, many of them section leaders or soloists with leading orchestras such as Hallé, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata.

The Ensemble is comprised of 14 international musicians who hail from locations across the globe including Venezuela, Australia, Latvia, and closer to home in Cheshire.

Director of Chester Performs Andrew Bentley said: “All of the festival is made here in Chester, and uniquely most of the creative programming rests with our musicians.

“It’s a very special thing to be part of, and we’re sure this will resonate with our audiences. We feel there is something for everyone during this year’s festival, with intimate chamber recitals, vibrant jazz and impressive orchestral concerts.”

Returning for a second consecutive year is Ensemble leader and leader of Manchester Camerata, violinist Giovanni Guzzo.

Born in Venezuela to parents of Italian and Venezuelan heritage, Giovanni is building a reputation as one of the most versatile performers of his generation and has captivated audiences around the world with his unique and passionate approach to his performances.

From Liverpool Philharmonic, the festival welcomes hornist Tim Jackson and flautist Cormac Henry.

Jackson played principal horn for the European Youth Parliament and has performed on the Harry Potter and Star Wars movie soundtracks.

Cormac Henry has performed with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including Tollehalle in Zurich.

Hallé clarinettist Lynsey Marsh was previously a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and English National Opera.

She plays guest principal with many British orchestras including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Sinfonia.

Born in Tenerife, Roberto Carillo-Garcia has played principal double bass with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonia of England, Mahler Chamber Orchestra and European Union Chamber Orchestra. He has been with Hallé for more than 10 years.

Rachael Clegg has held the position of principal oboe with Manchester Camerata since 1999. She has performed as principal oboe with the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and most recently with the Budapest Festival Orchestra.

Cellist Hannah Roberts, from Manchester Camerata, has performed with world renowned orchestras including the London Mozart Players and BBC Concert Orchestra. 

World-renowned pianist Martin Roscoe has performed his repertoire of more than 100 concertos with most UK orchestras, including the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Hallé, Manchester Camerata, Northern Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pianist Ian Buckle has appeared alongside conductors Carl Davis, Elgar Howarth, Gerard Schwarz and Yan Pascal Tortelier with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, Opera North, Sinfonia Viva, the Manchester Concert Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

Pianist Jonathan Scott is a prize winner at many international competitions including the St Albans Organ Competition and the RCO Performer of the Year Competition.

Jonathan also won the coveted Worshipful Company of Musicians WT Best Scholarship and gold medal, and is a Freeman of The City of London.

Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova has been playing since she was eight-years-old. She was the first international artist to win the Bryn Terfel award.

Cheshire-born Sophie Rosa is rapidly emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting young violinists.

She was the first prize winner at the Lions European Youth Competition in 2008 and was a strings finalist for BBC Young Musician of the Year. She performs with Manchester Camerata.

Violinist Mirijam Contzen has played with leading orchestras worldwide including the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin, Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony and the Munich Chamber Orchestra.

Richard Williamson was born in Australia in 1955. He was principal viola with the Sydney Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra, as well as a founder member of the renowned Australian Chamber Orchestra.

There are 10 Ensemble Deva concerts during the festival.

Highlights include:

Bach opening gala concert on Saturday, May 31 at 8pm at Chester Town Hall. Led by Manchester Camerata leader Giovanni Guzzo on violin, the Ensemble will open the festival with a baroque spectacular featuring some of Bach’s best loved classics.

On Wenlock Edge on Monday, June 2 at 1pm at Chester Town Hall. Ensemble Deva and tenor James Gilchrist perform two cycles of songs for tenor, piano and string quartet.

Gran Caffe Venezia! on Sunday, June 8 at 8pm at Chester Town Hall. A sell-out in 2013, experience the type of music more commonly heard outside Venetian cafes.

Ensemble Deva Finale! on Sunday, June 15 at 8pm at Chester Town Hall. Mozart’s oboe quintet and clarinet quintet, two of the world’s most enduring and popular pieces, bring the festival to a close.

Audiences can purchase tickets for all Ensemble Deva concerts using the Deva Pass. Details can be found at www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk

Tickets are priced at £19.50 for all evening concerts and £10 for lunchtime rehearsals.