There was great excitement in the Judi Dench Theatre earlier in October when Abbot's Hill welcomed actor and director Crispin Bonham-Carter and The Montagnana Ensemble for a glorious evening of Beethoven and Betjeman.
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Crispin, best known for his roles in films such as Howards End, Bridget Jones's Diary and Casino Royale (where he played alongside Judi Dench in her role as ‘M') and in the television programmes Absolutely Fabulous, Wuthering Heights and most famously as Mr Bingley in Pride and Prejudice, gave a wonderfully stylish performance as he read some of John Betjeman's best loved poems to the musical accompaniment of The Montagnana Ensemble. The evening began with Crispin's opening lines of “Encase your legs in nylons!” from John Betjeman's poem Inexpensive Progress and what followed can only be described as a truly stunning performance of The Beethoven Septet by The Montagnana Ensemble. Each individual member of this Ensemble is internationally acclaimed. Nichola Goldscheider (violin), Michael Leaver (viola), Catherine Wilmers (cello), Leon Bosch (double bass), Kate Romano (clarinet), Ian Cuthill (bassoon), Tony Cattrick (horn) and Simon Marlow (piano) all studied at the most prestigious music schools and colleges in the UK and Europe and today they perform and record with some of the world's leading orchestras. |
It was an amazing evening and one that will long be remembered. It was also one which brought many in the audience to Abbot's Hill for the first time and who found that the School's beautiful theatre and exceptional hospitality added enormously to their enjoyment.
Ann Mallinson
Herts Gardens Trust