The Concert Room at St George’s Hall tonight played host to a unique gala performance by The English Concert in aid of Merseyside charity The Guillemot Trust.
The Guillemot Trust gives youngsters the opportunity to experience sailing, having been established in 2009 by the late Mr Henry Bicket. The evening's proceedings were dedicated to his memory and generosity.
Proudly taking the stage was Mr Bicket's talented son, Conductor Harry Bicket, who directed the nine-piece orchestra whilst playing the harpsichord with great poise and dexterity.
Having toured the USA, Europe and the Middle East, twenty years have passed since The English Concert last performed in the North West. The audience could not have been seated in a more fitting venue for such a rare musical feast. The Concert Room's breath-taking crystal chandelier, encircled by Grecian statues adorning each supporting pillar, made for an enchanting setting as the orchestra burst into a rousing rendition of Vivaldi's La Folia.
Accompanied by guest soprano soloist Helen Massey, the exceptional nonet performed faultlessly as they took the assembled crowd on a journey through Baroque classics by composers Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Albinoni and Purcell.
A particular highlight came with the beautiful duet between oboists Katharina Spreckelsen and Hannah McLaughlin in Tomaso Albinoni's Concerto Grosso for 2 oboes and strings which was truly inspired.
For the finale, stunning soprano Helen Massey returned to centre stage in a delightful emerald green dress, giving a moving rendition as she depicted Purcell's The Fairy Queen. This adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream first produced at the Queen's Theatre in London in 1692, and still as entertaining to the modern audience all these centuries later.
An unforgettable experience, and hopefully we'll not be kept waiting a further two decades for a return visit!
8/10
To send donations to The Guillemot Trust or for more information write to: Guillemot Trust c/o Royal Mersey Yacht Club, Bedford Road East, Rock Ferry, Wirral, CH42 1LS.
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