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Woodhouse Copse, a private concert hall and arts venue, in the heart of
the picturesque Surrey Hills conservation area, has over the past 10
years established a reputation as an intimate and inspiring venue for a
wide range of classical music.
The nurturing of outstanding young talent is a central part of the vision for Music at Woodhouse, and the list of musicians who have performed there in the recent past includes Paul Lewis, Emma Kirkby, Jonathan Lemalu, Sally Matthews, the Sorrel Quartet, Nicola Benedetti and the Con Tempo Quartet. Woodhouse Copse's purpose-built concert hall was built with old materials to correspond to the style of the nearby Arts and Crafts house, although it is a late addition. The acoustic is excellent for chamber and vocal music, and the Hall overlooks lake and gardens complete with many flowering shrubs and mature trees. Winter sees concerts by candlelight and log fires, while in summer picnics, walks in the gardens and boat rides are very much part of the concert-going experience!
Every year I plan to celebrate composers on their anniversaries and birthdays which always provides entertaining festivals and a special atmosphere. Last year (2007) we celebrated the music of Grieg and Elgar with a violin recital performed by two brilliant Japanese artists. Music has no frontiers! Last summer we offered Hansel and Gretel as a production created especially for
Woodhouse. The highlight of the musical year! Such productions are a colossal
undertaking. The entire international cast and production team come and
live at Woodhouse like a family (sometimes
up to twenty-five). There we have the peace and quiet
to rehearse in an intense relatively short
period to derive and produce a memorable opera. Our young singers are
carefully chosen and represent the best talent
there is. It gives great pleasure to see that several "stars
of tomorrow" go on to perform in seminal musical events: for example, our Dido represented Sweden in Cardiff for
'Singer Of The World', along with Elizabeth Watts, who has also sung
at Woodhouse. I believe that Woodhouse should primarily be about enjoying yourself, while meeting and making friends who share a passion for music and wish to explore its many aspects. As described by the critic, Michael White, “Music at Woodhouse is one of the most sweetly oddball music ventures to have emerged on the musical scene in the last few years". We hope therefore that you will come and be charmed by the magic of this place with its unique natural setting for music set in the beautiful Surrey countryside. I look forward very much to meeting you there soon in person.' Monika Saunders, artistic director of Woodhouse Copse and Music at Woodhouse.
Links Gertrude Jekyll
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The Cunning Little Vixen Production 2007 (above) |
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The Cunning Little Vixen Production 2007 (above and below) |
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