It was lovely to see Whitgift House Chapel filling with lots of familiar friendly faces at the start of our new Music Matters season on 13 September. Nicoline Kraamwinkel and I set feet tapping with a programme of dances that started in medieval Europe and finished in New Orleans, our musical journey taking in Russian Jewish Klezmer and Argentinian Tango.
Richard Suart has chosen to call his presentation on Tuesday 27 September “Generally G&S” or “I should Ko-Ko”, a typically Gilbertian double title. Richard has recently completed a run of performances of “The Mikado” at the London Coliseum in the latest revival of English National Opera’s hugely successful production. If you look carefully at this picture of Richard as Ko-Ko the Lord High Executioner, a role that Richard has made especially his own, I think you may be able to see the “little list” poking out of his pocket!
The full autumn series of Lecture-Recitals at Whitgift House, 76, Brighton Road, South Croydon, CR2 6AB in The Chapel, 7 for 7.30 – 9.30p.m. costs just £64. It’s not too late to take out a subscription, or you can simply pay £10 on the door on each occasion.
Tuesday 27 September: Richard Suart “Generally G&S” or “I should Ko-Ko” – an evening of reminiscence and song, with baritone favourites from the operettas accompanied by Margaret Archibald at the keyboard.
Tuesday 11 October: Jorge Jimenez “Contrapunctus” – Polyphony for solo violin.
Tuesday 25 October: Alan Shellard and Margaret Archibald “Two of a Kind” – costumed clarinettists in marches and much more.
Tuesday 8 November: Alan George “Beethoven’s last quartets: absolutely contemporary for ever!”
Tuesday 22 November: Stephen Bingham “Lines and Loops” – for violin, electric violin and live-looping.
Tuesday 6 December: Katie Clemmow and Margaret Archibald “Imitation” – exploring a favourite device in the composer’s armoury.
Tuesday 20 December: Gerald Place “Searching for Shakespeare’s Songs” – Gerald sings songs Shakespeare would have known, accompanying himself on the viola da gamba.
There is a second chance to hear Richard Suart, Alan Shellard, Stephen Bingham and Gerald Place who will each appear the next day in our 2.30p.m. Wednesday afternoon series of Musical Offerings at St Mark’s Church Room, Bromley.
Details from Margaret Archibald: 07970 123105; margaret@everyone-matters.co.uk