Music on Summer Tuesdays at Benslow Music
Listed on July 4, 2013 in Member News, MusicSummer is a great time to listen to music. That’s why so many of the world’s top music festivals happen at that time of the year. And Benslow Music in Hitchin has joined the club. Each Tuesday evening, from 16 July to 20 August (but with the exception of 23 July) music lovers can enjoy the delights of Benslow Music’s beautiful gardens, lush lawns and well-stocked bar and take in a concert given by a plethora of world-class classical musicians.
The festival opens with The Rose Consort of Viols and mezzo Clare Wilkinson performing a gorgeous programme of Elizabethan and Jacobean musicm composed by John Dowland, Orlando Gibbons and William Byrd. Then a fortnight later a stellar array of chamber musicians – violinist Darragh Morgan, viola player Martin Outram, cellist Wiliam Bruce and harpist Danielle Perrett – give a varied programme which includes Mozart’s great G minor Piano Quartet.
The folowing week flautist Philippa Davies of the Nash Ensemble and pianist Jan Willem Nelleke play virtuoso flute and piccolo music, and on 13 August soprano Sarah Leonard and pianist Stephen Gutman pay homage to Benjamin Britten, born 100 years ago, with songs by him and by Schubert. Lastly, the baroque flautist Stephen Preston and harpsichordist Julian Perkins perform a programme centred around the music of Bach and including his French Suites.
Says Stephen Pettitt, Benslow Music’s Director of Music: “It’s always a great joy to put on our special summer events, and I’m delighted that these concerts have quickly become something of an institution. Audiences from town are able to mix freely with the people who come to Benslow Music for short residential music courses, and the atmosphere represents, for me, all that’s best about the British summer.”
All concerts start at 8 pm, with the bar opening at 7.30 pm. Tickets are bookable in advance from Benslow Music by telephone (01462 459446, 9 – 5 Mondays to Friday)) or from Hitchin Initiative in person and cost £12. A limited number of combined supper/concert deals are available at £25 per concert (available from Benslow Music only). Concert admission for all full time students is free, but advance booking is advisable. Benslow Music is situated in Benslow Lane, Hitchin, a short stroll from Hitchin Town Centre or a 5-minute walk from Hitchin Station, and there is ample free parking.
