What do Stravinsky, Henry VIII and Gracie Fields have in common?
The answer is that they all stayed at Eltham Palace, that most mysterious of all London’s palaces. Henry VIII was raised there and Erasmus and Thomas More dropped in to visit the Royal children when Henry was a boy of nine. The fabulously wealthy Courtauld family bought the ruined property in the 1930s and spent several fortunes using the most modern technology to turn it into an Art Deco palace, the epitome of the Jazz Age. It was during this period that Gracie Fields and Stravinsky were only the most famous of the glamorous set entertained there by the Courtaulds.
The Fourth Choir is thrilled that its Autumn Concert is going be in such an historic - and chic - location and the music that the choir has chosen reflects both characteristics of the Palace. In the first half they'll be singing Tudor music to the accompaniment of a lute and interposing Cecilia McDowall’s evocative O Oriens (“The splendour of the eternal light from the East”) to commemorate the visit of no less a figure than the Emperor of Byzantium who spent Christmas 1400 at Eltham Palace.
The music in the second half will reflect the Gatsby designs of the Courtauld renovations. The Choir will be singing music by George and Ira Gershwin, George Shearing and, in his 150th anniversary year, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ luxuriantly beautiful Serenade to Music.
🥂 Gatsby Guests 🥂
Enjoy a glimpse of the 1930s hi-life at The Fourth Choir's Gatsby-inspired interval party, with complimentary bubbles, special access to the Italian Drawing Room and an exclusive additional performance. Space is limited to just 50 guests so be sure to book early to guarantee entry to the swankiest party in town.