The 2010 Presteigne Festival has proved to be the most successful in the history of the organisation, with more people visiting the town during Festival time than ever before. Performances were universally praised, with no fewer than a third of the twenty-four ticketed events sold out; overall capacity was up to 84%. Presteigne took Hugh Wood to its heart as Festival composer-in-residence, and the Creating Landscapes education and outreach project produced five outstanding wind quintet pieces (from Mark Bowden, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Cecilia McDowall, Lynne Plowman and Paul Patterson), fabulous children's artwork (from five partner primnary schools) and a wonderful exhibition mounted in association with the Sidney Nolan Trust (artwork by Ashley Davies and Veronica Gibson, photographs from Gareth Rees-Roberts) - all inspired by the outstandingly beautiful countryside surrounding Presteigne.
Samuel Barber's music was featured, as was that of Hugh Wood and there were world premiere performances of works by Joe Duddell, Alexander L'Estrange, Stephen McNeff, Matthew Sheeran, Hugh Wood and a superb arrangement Edward Elgar's String Quartet by David Matthews. Reviews of the 2010 Festival can be found by following the links below:
The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/03/presteigne-festival-review
The Birmingham Post http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2010/09/03/review-presteigne-festival-at-st-andrew-s-church-presteigne-65233-27180612/
The Western Mail http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/music-in-wales/2010/09/02/festival-serves-up-an-auditory-feast-91466-27183196/
The Hereford Times http://www.herefordtimes.com/leisure/8375848.Another_glorious_year_for_Presteigne_Festival/
The Arts Desk http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2117%3Atheartsdesk-at-the-presteigne-festival&Itemid=27&tmpl=component&print=1