Our Patch summer 2017
Handel , with care
What could be finer than listening to Handel’s chamber
and choral music in the domed room where the composer
performed to VIP 18th century audiences?
By Tim Harrison
W
hen George Frideric Handel
moved to London in 1712,
in his late 20s, he came
under the patronage of the
3rd Earl of Burlington, who designed
and built the elegant villa Chiswick
House, drawing inspiration from his
grand tours of Italy.
Handel visited the house at the
request of his patron and may even have
performed there. Now a programme of
summer events, sponsored by Horton
and Garton, allows visitors to experience
the pleasure of his wonderful music in
fine surroundings. table of 10, and concert goers can either
bring their own food along, or pre-order
a hamper via the website. Bookings on
020 3141 3350 or via [email protected]
Music has always been an
important part of life at Chiswick
House. The Beatles famously played
in the conservatory and in the walled
garden… recording the promotional
video for Paperback Writer in 1966,
under the blossoming wisteria.
Today the Chiswick House & Gardens
Trust preserves, restores and maintains
the Grade 1 listed villa and gardens and
encourages visits to the historic estate.
l Light Divine, a night sublime , is Other summer events
include:
l Giffords Circus ,
from 29 June-10
July, with a new
show directed by Cal
McCrystal entitled Any
Port in a Storm. On the
bill, an international
team including a Cuban troupe, a
Hungarian Csikos rider and a Ukrainian
flyer, while children’s favourite Tweedy
returns to run amok alongside the
Giffords Circus band. Tickets via
staged over two evenings – 14 and 15
June – featuring Handel’s music played
in the Upper Tribune in the heart
of the villa where Lord Burlington
entertained. The concerts start at
7.30pm, and include a supper interval
and stirrup cup with the artists.
James Bowman is the narrator, while
Oliver John Ruthven plays harpsichord.
The evening’s singers are tenor Daniel
Turner, soprano Lottie Bowden and
countertenor Oliver Gerrish.
Tickets are £60 each, or £550 for a
the website, www.
giffordscircus.com
l Luna Cinema , from
8-10 August; three
spectacular evenings of
cinema under the stars
– choose from Breakfast
at Tiffanys, Fantastic
Beasts and Where to
Find Them and Notting Hill. The Luna
Bar with Estrella will be serving drinks,
while Sicilia Roots will serve Sicilian-
inspired street food, including wood-
fired pizzas and gourmet burgers.
More at www.thelunacinema.com
l Blunderbus Theatre Presents
Dotty the Dragon on August 19; a
new adaptation of a timeless tale, for
sorcerers at Foundation & KS1 level.
Dotty is a baby Fire Dragon. She lives
in a dusty old castle with her grumpy
dad, Mr Dragon. She loves to watch the
children playing in the village below,
and wishes she could play with them
too. Told with puppetry and song.
Visit www.blunderbus.co.uk
More information on all the attractions
and events at Chiswick House and
Gardens at www.chgt.org.uk