Petersham House Concerts for the Petersham Festival

17th, 19th & 20th June 2010

Gael & Francesco Boglione better known as the owners of Petersham Nurseries are hosting three exceptional, intimate and unique events at their private residence Petersham House on the 17th, 19th and 20th June. On each of these summer’s evenings there will be a performance in the beautiful Georgian ballroom by renowned musicians of outstanding quality, followed by a seasonal summer feast in the enchanting private gardens.

THE PROGRAMME

SHOW OF HANDS on 17th June 2010

Since their first gigs in 1992, Show of Hands have toured constantly to cement their position as the UK’s premier roots/acoustic act. Steve Knightley’s incisive song writing and Phil Beer’s consummate musicianship have combined and intertwined to produce a record of contemporary Britain that also resonates with the folk tradition. Recent winners of the 2010 Radio 2 Folk awards for Best Song and Best Duo, they have played the length and breadth of the land (including three sell-out concerts at the Albert Hall) and as far away as Canada and India.

JOHNNY MARS BAND on 19th June 2010

From humble beginnings in North Carolina, Johnny found himself in upstate New York just as the psychedelic Sixties were getting under way and started his own band. He shared bills with Jimi Hendrix but his preferred instrument was always the harmonica, and now he is recognised worldwide as one of the greatest Blues harp players anywhere. Guitarist Ray Fenwick, who also worked with Spencer Davis and Ian Gillan, leads his band and their live set is a celebration of all that makes the Blues great.

URBAN SOUL ORCHESTRA on 20th June 2010

Led by Guildhall graduate Stephen Hussey, the USO is living proof that music now transcends all barriers and genres. Today’s generation of classical musicians have all sorts of tracks on their iPods and their set spans Vivaldi to the Verve. The string octet will perform with bass, percussion and feature guest vocalists, spanning Baroque, Classical, Jazz, Soul and many shades between.

All three concerts will be introduced and presented by Musical Director and ex-Rolling Stones keyboard player Matt Clifford.

TIMINGS

Doors open at 6.30pm when guests are invited to come and enjoy pre-concert drinks on the lawn, a tranquil oasis in the most idyllic of surroundings.

Each unique performance will commence at 7.20pm and will take place in the elegant ballroom of Gael and Francesco Boglione's private residence.

The performances will finish at 9pm, inclusive of an interval with further refreshments.

Dinner will be a lavish alfresco feast prepared by Petersham Nurseries’ chef Skye Gyngell (there is a wet weather plan). Beautiful zinc topped tables will be laden with a selection of generous seasonal dishes, carafes of wine and jugs of homemade Amalfi lemonade.

All guests are kindly requested to leave promptly and quietly at 11.00pm

ADDRESS

Petersham House, Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AG

The Petersham Festival

Petersham Festival was set up as a registered charity (No1121498) & limited company in 2007 to advance the education of the public in music and the arts particularly in Petersham. They put on and promote concerts and events by top internationally acclaimed artists and local talented people, in as many of the wonderful local venues as possible, with the aim of increasing people’s enjoyment of music and the arts particularly in this very special and historic village. They aim to have as wide a variety of genres as possible, so that most people’s tastes and pockets can be accommodated in some way and hopefully to encourage people to experience musical and artistic events they would not normally think to attend, by providing them on their doorsteps.

www.petershamnurseries.com