Carnevale Venezianawith the
Grosvenor Chapel Choir and Guests
The Music Room
46 Grosvenor Street London W1K 3HN
In Aid of the Grosvenor Chapel and its Musical Tradition
Wednesday 3rd February 2016
6:45pm to 9:15pm
Programme
Benvenuti!Welcome to the Grosvenor Chapel’s Venetian Carnival!
Since the 11th century there has been Carnival in Venice in the days leading up to Lent. The use of masks brought , if not equality between noble and artisan,then certainly a degree of anonymity and invitation to encounter. As Umberto Eco writes: “By assuming a mask, everyone
can behave like the animal-like characters of comedy. (...) we are indeed innocent because we laugh. (...) In carnival, even the kings act like
populace (...) The upside-down world becomes the norm” (Carnival, Mouton de Gruyter, 1984). Yet, at the same time, Eco makes it clear
that Carnival is “an authorised transgression”, which “reminds us of the existence of the rule”. In other words, they are part of the same
spectrum. From a Christian perspective, Carnival sits in contrast, but also in complement to Lent. Carnival stripped of a seeking out of vice for vice’s sake, becomes a seeking out of the joy of life for Life’s sake.
For our Carnival this evening it is not only joy we seek, but the raising of much needed funds for the maintenance of the Chapel and the
restoration of the William Drake organ.
Our thanks as a community go to the many people who have contributed to this evening: to the musicians and animateurs; to Killik & Co for their lending of Edward Speyer’s beautiful music room; for
the individuals and organisations that have donated the food and drink for our festivities; and the other organisations who have donated prizes
for our auction (please see the list of donors in the pages below).
Special thanks go to Lis Hasted, our “Community and Events Officer” and her team for planning and co-ordinating the event.
Thank you all for your participation and generosity!
May the Carnival bring you much joy!
Fr RichardPriest-in-Charge
AcknowledgmentsKillik & Co for use of their stunning Music Room
Special thanks to:Daniel Aitkenhead
The Millennium Hotel and Arturo GranatoMr Eric and Dr Denise Scots-Knight
Porsche Centre MayfairThe Connaught Hotel
Paule Ka Boutique, Mount StreetThomas Goode
2 Veneti Restaurant Helen Rawlins Artist
Charlie Carter PhotographyMr Richard Dennis
The Dorchester HotelVivere l’Italiano
Mr Gavin ArendtMrs Rosemary Fenwick
The Disney Theatrical GroupMr Andrew Robson
Mrs Lorraine SemplinerHarrys Bar
The musicians and performers for giving of their time and talents:The Grosvenor Chapel Choir and Richard Hobson,
Director of Music, and Chris Strange. Tamara Murray, Jane Burgess, David Harrod and Ross Alley.
Artists Maisie Breen, Laura Bird and Sarah Simmons for the mask making workshop. Photography by Hugo Hasted.
Lis Hasted Community and Events Officer for co-ordinating the event with Ruth Wilson, Denise Scots-Knight and Nathan Bedwell
helped by Lorraine Sempliner, Diana Dennis, Jane Jukes and Fr. Richard. Members of the Chapel community who have helped to
prepare and those supporting the event tonight.
ProgrammeThe Auction will be open for sealed bids throughout the evening.
Masks are available for sale priced between £10 and £20.00The bar in The Italian Room will be selling wine, Aperol spritzers and soft
drinks during the two intervals. Wine £5.00 a glass or £20.00 for 5 glasses
Soft drinks £3.00 a glass or £5.00 for two glasses.Cicchetti will be served courtesy of the Millennium Hotel.
All proceeds go towards the Chapel and its musical tradition.
6.45-7.15 Welcome drink and opportunity to buy a mask7.10 Introduction7.15-7.40 Grosvenor Chapel Choir performs “On a Boat from Venice to Padua” Extracts from a madrigal comedy by A. Banchieri (1568 – 1634)7.40-7.50 Interval with Auction bids7.55- 8.15 Violin solos from Jane Burgess accompanied by David Harrod N. Paganini:-‘Cantabile’ F. M. Veracini: ‘Largo’ C. Stanford: ‘In a Gondola’ E. Morricone: ‘Cinema Paradiso’ David Harrod on the keyboard: Rossini-Liszt “La Regatta Veneziana’8.15-8.45 Venetian dancing led by Tamara Murray assisted by Ross Alley. ‘La Danza” by Gioachino Rossini8.45- 9.00 Interval with Auction bids update9.00- 9.10 Mask competition judged by Paul Thomas 9.10- 9.20 Announcement of auction winners and finale
Programme NotesChapel Choir: “On a Boat from Venice to Padua” A. Banchieri (1568 – 1634)A madrigal comedy
Five singers (and a harpsichordist) happen to be amongst the passengers on a boat travelling from Venice to Padua and are enlisted to entertain the company. They are:
Colla Francisco from Naples – Katy CooperCecho Bimbi from Florence – Sarah DaceySier Zorzeto from Venice – Kat HoldsworthPetronio Bolognese from Bologna – Ben BreakwellHerr Tolr. from Germany – Ben Carter
There’s also a Music Master from Lucca
Better known as the Grosvenor Chapel Choir with Christopher Strange and Richard Hobson
Once the boat is under way our singers agree to perform, and introduce themselves:
1. A Concert by Five SingersThen they must whet the whistle...
2. The Venetian and the GermanAnd now, the Music Master produces a new, expressive madrigal in the style of Gesualdo.
3. A Madrigale AffetuosoAnd now something a little more lively
4. Madrigale CapriciosoThey now arrive in Fusina, and not everyone wants more madrigals…
5. Rizzolina and the singers in conversationAs the boat gets underway again, our singers now take the rôles of Orazio and Rezzolina, flirting:
6. An admiring dialogue
Programme Notes“La danza” by Gioachino Rossini
Rossini’s lively tarantella “La danza: (1835) is the eighth song of his collection Les soirées musicales (1830–1835). The lyrics are by Count Carlo Pepoli
Now the moon is over the ocean;
Mamma mia, we’re going to leap!
The hour is beautiful for dancing,
Anyone in love will not miss it.
Now the moon is over the ocean;
Mamma mia, were going to leap!
Soon we’ll be dancing, round and round,
my ladies, come here,
A beautiful and playful lad
will have a turn with everyone.
As long as in heaven sparkles a star,
And the moonbeams will shine
The most beautiful boy and girl
will dance all night.
Hopping, jumping, turning, spinning,
every couple have a turn,
now advancing, now receding,
and returns to the excitement.
Now advancing, now receding,
and returns to the excitement.
The PerformersKaty Cooper, Sarah Dacey, Kat Holdsworth, Ben Breakwelland Ben Carter form The Choir of the Grosvenor Chapel professional ensemble which sings at services in the Chapel. The Chapel seeks to offer the best in traditional church music, both ancient and modern, performed to the highest standards. The choir’s CD ‘Into thy Hands, the Music of Grosvenor Chapel’ includes a Mozart Mass with string accompaniment, and music by Handel, Purcell, Blow, Francis Jackson and Jonathan Dove. ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ is a programme of music for the festive season both old and new. Both will be on sale this evening with proceeds going to the Chapel Music Fund.
Christopher Strange is the chapel organ scholar and in his second year at the Royal College of Music where he studies with Margaret Phillips. A former organ scholar of Manchester Cathedral, he moves to Chelmsford Cathedral in September. Recent recital venues include St George’s, Hanover Square, King’s College, London and Chester Cathedral.
Richard Hobson has been Director of Music and organist of Grosvenor Chapel since 1981. He retired in 2012 after 36 years in secondary education, most recently as Director of Music at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood. Since 2013 Richard hs directed the Mayfair Community Choir, a non-auditioning local choir that meets every Tuesday evening.
The PerformersJane Burgess has performed all over the world at international music festivals having also been tutored and chosen by Herman Krebbers (Amsterdam,) Edward Shmeider (|USA,) Borodin (Poland) and Yfrah Neaman (Germany) for both master classes and broadcasts.After gaining her A.R.C.M. performing degree, Jane broadened her horizons with the electric violin working with various styles such as classical, rock, Celtic, Jazz and tango.Jane performed at the Edinburgh Festival to rave reviews in 1999-2001. A live broadcast for the BBC followed at The Waterfront Hall, Belfast. A tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2001, followed with an invitation to return the following year.Jane has successfully performed for corporate clients and her charitable work has included Caudwell Children, Childline, Infant Aid, Cancer Research.
Tamara Murray trained at the Royal Academy of dance where she received the Tamara Karsavina prize on graduation. She has since gone on to teach extensively in the London and the surrounding areas working in various schools in Knightsbridge and Kensington for Chelsea ballet schools, and for 20 years at the City Lit adult education institute, for 6 of which she was in charge of the dance provision. She has also gone on to gain her teaching qualifications in Cecchetti ballet as well as her stage and tap qualifications with the British Association of Teachers of Dance. Tamara currently continues to work as a freelance teacher as well as running her own dance school in Muswell Hill North London which she has done for the past 20 years.
David Harrod has been playing the piano since the age of about 4, and, after unsuccessfully trying a number of other entirely unrelated careers, bowed to the inevitable and opted for the life of a struggling musician. As a teenager his first three jobs were as a piano teacher, a ballet pianist and a musical theatre accompanist, and in this respect his life seems to have come full circle: this is exactly what he does today. In addition, being at heart a classical pianist, he is delighted to have the opportunity to play some real music with Jane, which he very much hopes you will enjoy.
The Auction Prizes•Champagne afternoon tea for two at the Connaught Hotel
•Paule Ka scarf (100% wool, worth £80.00)
•Drive in a Porsche for 48 hours by Porsche Mayfair
•Six champagne flutes from Thomas Goode
•Dinner for two with wine from the 2 Veneti Restaurant, Wigmore Street
•‘Reflections of Venice’ by artist Helen Rawlins. Two 8x12 mounted
photographs .
•A photographic portrait session for an individual or couple with
Spotlight photographer Charlie Carter. Based in Hammersmith. The prize
includes two retouched and printable jpeg files.
•A magnum of Nicholas Feuillette champagne
•Traditional Afternoon tea for two guests in The Promenade at The
Dorchester Hotel (worth £98.00)
•A course of 10 Italian lessons with Viviere I’Italiano.
•A Sophie Hulme leather handbag kindly donated by Mrs Rosemary
Fenwick
•Two tickets for a midweek performance of The Lion King at the Lyceum
Theatre London.
•A course of bridge lessons at The Andrew Robson Bridge Club, Parsons
Green, London
•A portrait based on photographs, water colour and ink by artist Kriton
Papadopoulos.
Forthcoming EventsSunday 24th April 1-3pm in The Grosvenor Chapel.
‘The Seven Ages of Shakespeare’ a dramatised talk by Stewart Trotter.Will is let out of Purgatory after 400 years! Yes! The Authorities have allowed Shakespeare out for a single day in Mayfair to ‘fess up’.You.. the audience will decide whether he is to be allowed through the Pearly Gates…Tickets and further information will be available from the Chapel office.
Sunday 8th May.
Ascension Day with the licensing of Fr Alan Piggot as Associate Priest to the Grosvenor Chapel. Followed by Lunch at The Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square. £35.00 a head to include a three course lunch with coffee and wine.
Saturday 14th May 2016 6.45pm
‘Happy Birthday!’ A concert to celebrate the silver jubilee year of the
Grosvenor Chapel’s William Drake organ.
This very special and much loved instrument was completed in 1991, designed and built by the late William Drake. Richard Hobson will play a recital including music by J.S.Bach, Cesar Franck, 18th c English composers and Widor. Admission free, suggested donation £10 to include a reception. All proceeds will go towards the cleaning and overhaul of the instrument, planned for 2017.
The Grosvenor Chapel
24 South Audley StreetLondon
W1K 2PA
020 7499 1684
www.grosvenorchapel.org.uk
