Recent and Upcoming Events
In the past, we have been privileged to be hosted by some of the most magnificent stately homes in England, such as Chatsworth, Hatfield House, National Trust Croome, and English Heritage: Audley End, Eltham Palace, Kenwood House, Bolsover Castle, Belsay, Wrest Park and Kenilworth. For many years, we have also performed in Historic Royal Palaces: Hampton Court, Kew, The Tower of London, The Banqueting House and Kensington Palace. In 2019, singers Maria Arakie, Glenn Wilson and Nicholas Bosworth have been touring some more splendid heritage sites throughout England. As with previous years, these were open to the local older population to enjoy as a special day out at no cost to themselves Future concerts of this kind may be open to isolated and lonely elders in the local community.
From March 2020 to the present, the pandemic put paid to audiences attending these concerts. The performing arts sector has been one of the most tangible cultural casualties with live audiences in heritage sites and care homes craving this human engagement. We also greatly miss our live performances in the care settings during the past tumultuous year. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of our existing funders who were prepared to ‘divert’ their funds already awarded, towards concerts without an audience, Maria Arakie, Glenn Wilson and pianist Nicholas Bosworth, prepared films of their work to send to care homes, day centres and any individual elders residing in the boroughs which our sponsors had designated their area of benefit.
In the past few months in 2020/2021, we have made a few films when possible, and where the venues were willing to permit us to film in their heritage sites.
We feature below a brief selection from these concerts (extracts filmed and zoomed by Helen Jones and Candice Wilson). These concerts were then zoomed and distributed to the older people who could take advantage of this facility and enabling them to chat briefly with the artists following each event.
The concerts were hosted by Lord and Lady Cobbold at Knebworth House, English Heritage Wrest Park, The Octagon, Orleans Gallery, Twickenham, Maria’s living room (aka Connaught Opera HQ!) and the Claremont Project in Islington.
Our sponsors were Quantum Care; The Wixamtree Trust; Cripplegate Foundation; Richmond Parish Lands Charity, Hampton Fund, Battersea Power Station Foundation, Hounslow Council, Concertina, Clarion Futures Community and Residential Management Group in Westminster.
“Dear Maria, Glenn and Nick,
Hello there, I hope that you are all keeping really well. We have just watched your fabulous concert from Ironmongers’ Hall. Such a massive thank you to you and your funders for such a fantastic concert! We thoroughly enjoyed it, as ever the music and outfits are amazing! It was also a real treat for us to see inside Ironmonger’s Hall, what a wonderful setting. I am so grateful to the 3 of you and your funders for keeping us entertained throughout lockdown. It has meant the world to us that you have still been able to reach us during these difficult times. It’s provided us with not only fabulous entertainment but also with continuity. It’s been so lovely that even though we haven’t been able to get out to your concerts or welcome you here at Dalemead over the last year, we have still been able to experience the joy of music with you. We can’t wait to see you all in person.
Thank you so much for all you do for us!
Much love,
Sarah and the residents at Dalemead Care Home xxxxxx”
