An armistice concert, in support of Veterans Aid, is to take place in the Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair, on Monday, 9th November 2015.
It is the second musical event organised in aid of VA by Chelsea Concerts, a platform for talented, young classical musicians, founded in 2009 by friends Alexandra Kennedy and Oliver Gerrish.
The concert will honour Sir Edgar Speyer, the man who saved the Proms, and his wife Leonora, concert violinist and Pulitzer Prize winning poet. The repertoire for the evening will feature pieces and songs known to have been performed at the Speyer’s’ London house, 46 Grosvenor Square.
It is also the London premiere of a new song cycle by David Lawrence – a setting of the poem ‘Ballad of the Lost House’ by Leonora Speyer, which evokes the nightmare the family suffered after being evicted from their home. Alexandra and Oliver first became acquainted with the Speyers’ story in 2013 when they performed a concert at the couple’s former home – now part of Killik and Co.
That event introduced the story of how philanthropist Edgar Speyer was driven into exile due to anti German prejudice at the outbreak of WW1 (For more details please click HERE).
Professor Tony Lentin, author of the book ‘Banker, Traitor, Scapegoat, Spy: The Troublesome Case of Sir Edgar Speyer’ (Haus Publishing, 2013) brokered an introduction between Alexandra and writer/composer David Lawrence. “We were delighted when he asked us to perform his song cycle” said Alexandra. “It marks the 100th anniversary of the Speyers’ departure from London and gives us another opportunity to help Veterans Aid.” 
For more information about the Speyers and the prominent role they played in the life of London, please visit www.chelseaconcerts.com.
Alexandra Kennedy (soprano) and Oliver Gerrish (countertenor) will be joined by Violeta Barrena (violin), Jocelyn Freeman (piano) and a guest artist Malcolm Binns (solo piano).
The concert will comprise of pieces by Grieg, Elgar and Debussy, which are known to have been performed at Speyer House-Concerts on Grosvenor Street, as well as the new song cycle.
Tickets: £35 (£60 for two) to include drinks reception in interval. To purchase please follow the link: http://www.chelseaconcerts.com/page3.htm.
Below is one of Leonora Speyer’s poems – A Woman Who Went to Dine.
A Woman Who Went to Dine
I think that Mary Magdalene
Was just a woman who went to dine,
And her jewels covered her empty heart
And her gown was the colour of wine.
I think that Mary Magdelene sat
By a stranger With shining head
‘Have not we met somewhere before’ she asked
‘Magdelene! Mary! He said.
I think that Mary Magdelene
Fell at his feet and called his name,
Sat at his feet and wept her woe.
And rose up clean of shame.
Nobody knew but Magdalene,
The woman who went to dine,
Nobody saw how he broke the bread
And poured for her the wine.
This is the story of Magdelene;
It’s not the tale the apostles tell,
But I know the woman-
I know the woman well.
