Events Diary

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

MARCH

Concert & Supper
Fidelio Piano Quartet
Wigmore Hall
Saturday March 5th

It’s some while since we had an evening concert at the Wigmore Hall. Since refurbishment, it offers the very best in comfort and convenience. Meet from 6.30pm for informal drinks in the Wigmore bar before going into the auditorium for the 7.30pm start. Tonight, we listen to a concert given by the Fidelio Piano Quartet. Their programme includes Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet No 1 in C minor and the Piano Quartet No 2 in A op. 26 by Brahms. Dinner follows at a nearby restaurant.

Theatre Evening & Supper
The Birthday Party
by Harold Pinter
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Saturday March 12th

Always popular with our Midlands members, the Birmingham Rep. offers the very best in British theatre with many pre-West End productions. This Pinter play is widely recognised as one of the great plays of the late twentieth century. Filled with comedy and menace, the ordinary and the absurd, it’s a compelling drama which has established Pinter as one of the most significant contemporary dramatists. Meet at 6.30pm in the Wine Republic for pre-performance drinks to where we return for supper after the show.

Opera Evening & Supper
Royal Northern College of Music
Manchester
La Cenerentola – Cinderella
by Rossini
Saturday March 19th

RNCM opera performances are of a very high standard and not to be missed. On our last visit to see Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the wonderful singing combined with the vitality and enthusiasm which only the young can give, made it a memorable evening. Meet at 6.30pm for pre-performance drinks. Supper follows the performance.

APRIL

Soiree & Supper
Wavendon, Bucks
Saturday April 2

(Please note revised date)

Join us at the lovely home of member Chris Barclay for another of our unique musical evenings. In the middle of beautiful parkland and overlooking a large lake, this is a perfect setting for a relaxed evening of good music and excellent food and wine in interesting company. Join us from 7pm for an informal drinks reception to be followed by an extensive hot and cold buffet supper. A recital follows (musicians to be announced). Dessert and coffee complete the evening.

Concert & Supper
Symphony Hall Birmingham
Saturday April 9

Join us for another musical treat at this fine concert venue. Tonight, the Academy of Ancient Music under conductor Christopher Hogwood offers two beautiful Mendelssohn pieces. The evergreen Violin Concerto with internationally acclaimed soloist, Giuliano Carmignola and the picturesque Symphony No.3 (Scottish). A short operatic feast begins the programme with Weber’s Overture and arias from Der Freischutz (soloist Christiane Oelze – soprano). Meet for informal drinks at the Wine Republic, to where we return for supper after the performance.

Sunday Lunch Followed by an
Afternoon Celebrity Concert
Philharmonia Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras-conductor
Cellist Truls Mork plays Dvorak
Royal Festival Hall
Sunday April 10

Join us at 1pm at the Peoples Palace Restaurant at the Royal Festival Hall for a delicious pre-concert Sunday lunch. We then proceed to the auditorium for the 3pm start. This afternoon, the Philharmonia Orchestra plays two works by Brahms, his Tragic Overture and the Symphony No.2. The international cellist Truls Morks is the soloist in Dvorak’s lyrical Cello Concerto.

Informal Soiree & Supper
Dvorak 100 years on
An illustrated musical talk by
Sue Stephens
Woking, Surrey
Saturday April 16

An evening with a real difference. Members are invited to the comfortable home of Sue Stephens for an informal talk with music on the life and times of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak wrote some wonderful music, much of it based on traditional Czech melodies. He spent time in America where he wrote the legendary New World Symphony and the beautiful American String Quartet. Join us from 7pm for drinks. A light supper precedes Sue’s talk and coffee & dessert completes the evening.

Theatre Evening & Supper
The Dresser -by Ronald Harwood
Duke of York’s Theatre
Saturday April 23

Join us for this highly acclaimed production of Ronald Harwood’s dramatic masterpiece. Directed by Peter Hall, it is inspired by the playwright’s memories of his years working as Sir Donald Wolfit’s dresser. A perceptive and hilarious portrait of backstage life, it has become one of the most acclaimed dramas of the modern theatre. Meet at 6.30pm at the theatre for pre-curtain drinks. Dinner follows at a restaurant nearby.

Concert Evening & Supper
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Bridgewater Hall
Saturday April 30

Meet for pre concert dinner at the outstanding Charles Halle restaurant. Tonight, the BBC Philharmonic under conductor Gunter Herbig plays two wonderful pieces by Viennese composers. John Bradbury is the soloist in Mozart’s beautiful Clarinet Concerto and the second half is devoted to Bruckner’s heroic 9th Symphony. Coffee together later.

MAY

Private Visit, Recital and Supper
Finchcocks, Country House &
Instrument Museum, Kent.
Saturday May 7

Join us for a late afternoon and evening at this renowned Stately Home with its superb collection of antique musical instruments. Our visit includes a short introductory talk by the owner; Katrina Burnett followed by a tour of the house, its treasured collection and the beautiful gardens. A glass of wine precedes the private recital by Richard Burnett, playing selected instruments from his collection. We complete the evening with a relaxed supper in the dining room. A unique event, so try not to miss it.

Monet, Whistler & Turner
Private Lecture,
Tour & Supper
Tate Britain
Saturday May 14

Much has been written and spoken about this brilliant exhibition at London’s Tate Britain. Art critics have enthused at the subtle way the three artists have been put together to make a wonderfully balanced presentation. Today, we have reserved a private room at the gallery for a fascinating pre-tour talk with slides by the curator. Following the lecture, we will have the opportunity to visit the exhibition itself with the use of audio guides. To complete the tour, dinner with wine will be served at a restaurant nearby.

Celebrity Concert & Supper
Russian State Symphony Orchestra
Nicolai Demidenko – piano
Leeds Town Hall
Saturday May 14

Join us for informal drinks in a private room on the first floor before moving to our private box seats for this outstanding concert. The orchestra under the baton of Conductor Mark Gorenstein plays Tchaikovsky’s haunting Symphony No.4 The celebrated pianist, Nicolai Demidenko is the soloist in Shostakovitch’s stunning 2nd. Piano concerto. Dinner follows at the nearby Casa Mia restaurant.

Theatre Visit & Supper
Losing Louis
Trafalgar Studios
Saturday May 28

Recently transferred from the Hampstead Theatre, this outstanding comedy by Simon Mendes da Costa and directed by Robin Lefevre has received excellent reviews The show which stars Alison Steadman and Lynda Bellingham blends comedic confusion as a family confronts its past in a bedroom where secrets were planted four decades earlier. Meet for pre curtain drinks. Dinner follows at a restaurant nearby.

Soiree with Supper
Hampstead, NW.3
Saturday June 4

The beautiful penthouse apartment of composer/conductor Richard Blackford is perfect for an early summer soiree. Perched high up and close to Hampstead Heath, the extensive views of London are breathtaking. Join us from 7pm for an informal drinks reception, to be followed at around 8pm by a delicious cold buffet supper with wine and soft drinks. Lots of room to make yourself comfortable for our live recital (musicians to be announced). Relax over coffee, dessert to complete the evening.