As part of its upcoming Baroque Spring season, Radio 3 has announced that it is to stage six concerts in National Trust properties.
Between 3 and 31 March, audiences will have the chance to hear Baroque music played in venues that either date from the period itself or have significant links to it. For instance, on 10 March, chamber ensemble Le Jardin Secret will perform a recital at Powis Castle in Welshpool that celebrates the building's links to James II; or, on 24 March, the Magdalena Consort will be appearing at Ham House in Surrey, one of the finest country houses of the Stuart era.
‘We are delighted that these historic houses will be the settings for some of the most inspiring Baroque music,’ says Sarah Staniforth, museums and collections director at the National Trust. ‘Audiences will be able to enjoy learning more about the Baroque stories connected to these special places as what promises to be an exciting BBC music season.’
The full list of concerts, all of which will be presented by Katie Derham plus Lars Tharp from the Antiques Roadshow, is as follows:
Sunday 3 March The Stone Gallery, The Vyne, Hampshire BBC Singers, St James’s Baroque/David Hill
Wednesday 6 March The Cobbe Collection, Hatchlands Park, Surrey Carole Cerasi (harpsichord)
Sunday 10 March The Ballroom, Powis Castle, Welshpool Le Jardin Secret
Sunday 17 March Marble Hall, Clandon Park, Surrey Yetzabel Arias Fernandez (soprano), La Risonanza/Fabio Bonizzoni
Sunday 24 March The Long Gallery, Ham House, Surrey Magdalena Consort/Peter Harvey
Sunday 31 March The Riding Stables, Tredegar House, South Wales Brecon Baroque/Rachel Podger
Full details of the complete Baroque Spring series have yet to be announced. Watch this space…
