Autumn Festival 2019

50 years ago, on Wednesday 17th September 1969, Windsor Festival began with a Festival Service in St George's Chapel. We mark the start of our 50th Anniversary Festival similarly this year with a special Festival Evensong, sung by The Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Festival Members are invited to join us for a special Reception to celebrate the start of our 50th Anniversary. Drinks and cake will be served in the Dean's Cloister following Festival Evensong.

Join Windsor's leading chamber choir for an evening of enchanting choral pieces in the beautiful setting of The Royal Chapel of All Saints in the heart of Windsor Great Park.

As a chef, food writer and business woman, Prue Leith has played a key role in the revolution of Britain's eating habits since the 1960s. But she is also a highly accomplished novelist, the author of seven romantic novels.

We invite you to join us to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Festival in style with a Black Tie Dinner in the beautiful surroundings of Coworth Park.

Natalie Burch and Anna Cavaliero have been working together since they first met two years ago as Britten Pears Young Artists. They are also both Samling Artists, and regularly perform together thanks to the sponsorship of Opera Prelude, Live Music Now, and The Countess of Munster Musical Trust.

Dr Richard Shepherd is the UK's foremost forensic pathologist. His 25-year career has been driven by his passion to discover the truth that a body leaves behind in the wake of their death.

Latihwaite's Wine, like Windsor Festival, celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. To mark this, their founder, Tony Laithwaite, has written his story, a collection of memories about the key people who have helped him over the years, and the key wines to which he owes a debt.

Sadie Jones is a novelist and screenwriter whose first novel, The Outcast, was a Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller made into a BBC drama.

The Philharmonia return for this Black Tie concert with a programme of Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. Conducted by Thomas Carroll, it features cellist Jonathan Swensen, winner of the 7th WFISC.

Hear from Tim O'Donovan, whose cousin was a member of the Coats Mission, about the plans put in place to protect The Royal Family during the Second World War.

In celebration of the Festival's 50th Anniversary, we have brought together three world-renowned ensembles who have all appeared in Windsor Festival throughout its history.

Public Houses and brewing have been around for many centuries and form an important part of Windsor's past - records show that the town was once home to 11 breweries and in 1577 there was one alehouse to every 150 people!

Rebel Heroes have not only been described as the most authentic emerging musical tribute, but one that puts other established David Bowie tributes firmly in the shade.

Lucy Worsley is a bestselling author, historian, curator and television presenter. To coincide with the 200th anniversary of her birth, she tracks a new course through Queen Victoria's life.

Join the multi-award-winning Windsor-based Royal Harmonics alongside International Quartet Silver Medallists Lemon Squeezy, and UK Quartet Finalists Royal Standard, as they perform a captivating assortment of a cappella and barbershop pieces.

Claire Martin and Ian Shaw are two award-winning jazz singers who met over 25 years ago. Alongside their highly successful solo careers, they forged a musical partnership that lasts to this day performing from New York to Vietnam, via concert halls all over the UK along the way.

Pick up a free entry map from Brewhouse Yard and follow the trail for a chance to see treasures displayed in Eton College's museums and galleries.

Tim Waterstone is a legendary figure among the book trade - from one small bookshop in 1982 his business philosophy has allowed Waterstone's to dominate the market today.

As The Sixteen celebrate their 40th birthday, their conductor and artistic director Harry Christophers will be in conversation with Sara Mohr-Pietsch, one of BBC Radio 3's best-known voices.

One of Britain's leading historians, A N Wilson returns to the Festival to share his magnificent biography of Prince Albert, as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth.

On today's world stage, one leader stands apart. Queen Elizabeth II has seen more of the planet and its people than any other head of state, and has engaged with them like no other monarch in British history.

When Christopher Somerville set out to explore Britain's cathedrals, he found his fixed ideas shaken to the roots. With The Times walking correspondent as your guide, make a voyage of discovery across the ages, delving deeper into the private lives, and uncertain futures, of these Ships of Heaven.

Who was the real Wallis Simpson? Anna Pasternak takes a startling and intimate look into the life and legacy of one of the most misjudged women in British Royal history.

Described as 'phenomenal' (The Times) and 'devastatingly beautiful' (Gramophone Magazine), we welcome the return of award-winning choir Tenebrae, under the direction of Nigel Short, to St George's Chapel.

Simon Heffer brings us the latest volume in his critically acclaimed history of modern Britain, Britain in the First World War.

'Beneath the splendour, Windsor Castle is more dangerous than a jungle' wrote a guest in the 19th century. Windsor has a long and illustrious history but it has not always been so. Behind the finery there have been dark times of war, plague, persecution, disease... and ghosts both in the town and within the Castle.

Why do so many people feel a spiritual connection with the sea? Why does so much of our art, poetry and expressions of religious experience draw so heavily on imagery of its power, its wideness and its depth?

This is an opportunity to discover the unique circumstances which led to the formation of the Eton College 'Leaving Portrait' collection, while also exploring some of the less familiar portraits of staff and Old Etonians.

Barefoot Opera bring their inventive, exuberant ensemble style to Rossini's comic masterpiece, The Barber of Seville.

Set in the spectacular setting of Eton School Hall, this year's Eton Boys' Concert features a number of talented Eton Music Scholars including Percussion finalist from BBC Young Musician of the Year 2018, Alexander Pullen.

This walk celebrates the 200th anniversary of the births of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who were first cousins and born just three months apart in 1819.

In a Festival first, we will be hosting the world premiere of a brand new work with music by EMI TV composer James Marangone and words by BBC Radio 4 Newsreader Zeb Soanes.

In a Festival first, we will be hosting the world premiere of a brand new work with music by EMI TV composer James Marangone and words by BBC Radio 4 Newsreader Zeb Soanes.

Sir Richard Johns' autobiography, Bolts from the Blue, records a life of many unexpected twists and turns that was to lead eventually to his appointment as Governor of Windsor Castle and Life Vice-Patron of Windsor Festival.

Unanimously described as one of the leading pianists of his generation, John Lill's career spans over 55 years. During this time he has given upwards of 4,000 concerts in more than 50 countries, both as a recitalist and as a soloist with the world's greatest orchestras.

A regular feature of Windsor Festival programmes, the Schools' Coffee Concert presents a varied mix of choral, instrumental, ensemble and solo items performed by local children.

We welcome back bestselling author Robert Harris to Windsor with his gripping new thriller, The Second Sleep.

Windsor and Eton Choral Society gave their first public performance in 1837. This September they present the thrilling choral masterpiece, Verdi's Requiem.