Presented by Chelsea Concerts, soprano Alexandra Kennedy and countertenor Oliver Gerrish (pictured) will be joined by violinist Victoria Lyon, guitarist Dimitris Dekavallas, harpist Eloise Irving and others to perform sublime music by Elgar, Debussy, Grieg, Strauss and more.
There will also be a one-off showing of iconic director Michael Powell’s short film Smith starring Ralph Richardson and Flora Robson. The film, which was lost for many years, was made for Veterans Aid more than 80 years ago. It has as much resonance today as it did in the 1930s.
Tickets to this Chelsea Concerts event are limited and come with a suggested donation of £50 or £100 each. The evening features a drinks reception where canapés will be served.
For details see: http://chelseaconcerts.com/page3.htm
CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy said, “We were delighted when this splendid evening was proposed by Oliver and Alexandra and touched that they should have chosen this charity to join the list of those they have already helped with their wonderful talents.”
Oliver Gerrish added, “Chelsea Concerts has now helped to raise over £22,000 for various charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Care for Casualties, The Rhinology and Laryngology Fund, The Red Cross Haiti Appeal, The Regeneration Trust and Carneys Community.
“For this very special concert on Thursday 19th September we are raising money for Veterans Aid and will be performing in the magnificent Ballroom of Killik & Co. I will be singing, as will soprano Alexandra Kennedy, famous violinist Victoria Lyon and harpist Eloise Irving, amongst others. The programme will include music by various World famous composers who frequented this great London town house when it was a private home.”
Fittingly a famous philanthropist, Edgar Speyer, owned the house.
The history of Smith is also fascinating and more information can be found at: https://www.veterans-aid.net/videos/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%28film%29
