Chelsea Concerts

Christmas Concert 2012

In aid of the Rhinology and Laryngology Research Fund

Holy Trinity Sloane Square

Tuesday 11th December

Yesterday was our Christmas Concert. This year we were joined by yet more marvellous musicians; famous soprano Meeta Raval and pianist Lynn Carter, and the chic and well-known Duo Diez.

Alexandra rehearses with Violeta Barrena and Dimitris Dekavallas

Alexandra and I were so honoured that Meeta Raval, Lynn Carter, Violeta Barrena and Dimitris Dekavallas wanted to perform for Chelsea Concerts and help raise money for the Rhinology and Laryngology Fund, a charity close to my heart as my Grandfather, Godfrey Bostock, was a patron and also had his life greatly enhanced and saved by the amazing work of the surgeons encouraged in their ground-breaking work by the charity.

The Great East Window

As ever it was an architectural thrill to preform in Holy Trinity, 'The Cathedral of the Arts and Crafts', which was so nearly demolished after damage caused by the Blitz. It really is a treasure house and contains the finest craftsmanship of the period, not to mention one of the best organs in the country, which has recently been restored in a most splendid way.

Self rehearsing 'Hark the Herald' and making far too much noise!!

Alexandra was feeding her ten week old baby in the corridor underneath the organ loft, which I hadn't registered, so poor things got a mighty shock when I decided to play a very very loud chord...chord ended and wailing ensued from baby!!

Sopranos Alexandra Kennedy and Meeta Raval

Meeta and pianist Lynn Carter

Self rehearsing Handel's 'Va tacito e nascosto' (Giulio Cesare) with Lynn and Violeta

Meeta and I have been best friends and worked often together since we were students at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and we formed 'Ravishyn', alongside Lynn, in 2008, so it was a thrill to perform together again last night. Meeta has been taking the World by storm; last year she was finalist in Cardiff Singer of the World and she has finished touring with Opera North as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni.

Lynn

Dimitris

'Ravishyn'

It was a real privilege to perform alongside and listen to Violeta and Dimitris, both of whom are very well-known in their own right. They brought a new exotic touch to Chelsea Concerts with their magnificent rendering of various Tangos and their unique accompaniments.

As ever, the evening would have been impossible were it not for the tireless help of the Committee, who welcomed at the door collected ice in the freezing cold, opened champagne, poured even more of it, wore Father Christmas hats...etc. Complete stars!!

Some of the superb Committee of Honour

I think you can tell I can't play the guitar!!

Meeta, one of the great sopranos of our generation

Meeta at Alexandra's 'Lakme' was wonderful, their voices combining to make a magnificent result and filling the great church from floor to ceiling.

The concert ended with 'O Holy Night' and a moment for the assembled throng to let rip to 'Hark the Herald', which I had been looking forward to playing all night on the four manual monster that is the newly restored organ at Holy Trinity!

As ever, we would wish to thank very much everyone who performed, came along and made the evening possible. We raised well over £1500 for the Rhinology and Laryngology Fund.

For more information on Chelsea Concerts please see our websitee: www.chelseaconcerts.com

                       All images in this blog are under the copyright ownership of Oliver Gerrish