The director of the Teignmouth Classical Festival – organised by the South Devon Singers – says it has always been interesting to spot the theme.

‘We make sure that we are familiar with the work of the artists whom we invite to perform, but do not give them any direction as to which pieces to include,’ declared Rachael Shearmur.

‘We generally also give them free rein on style and genre, so long as overall the festival has a different feel from the town’s jazz or folk festivals. 

‘So much beautiful music, just as most things in life, has a mixed pedigree, that it becomes not just impossible but also limiting and counter-productive to seek to pigeon-hole.’

Two years ago audiences were treated to three very different renditions of Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King (piano, handbells and youth orchestra). 

This year the theme which naturally emerged was Romeo and Juliet. 

READ THE REVIEW IN FRIDAY, MARCH 31, TEIGNMOUTH POST.