In June, the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley holds its Music Festival. It was founded three years ago and has rapidly become the thing to do at the beginning of June. Last year it was a sell out, so this year RHS decided to extend it to four nights. These four nights have a distinct character – the first is a light classical evening in the company of the Welsh tenor and broadcaster Aled Jones, who is joined by Operababes, the glamorous singers from Covent Garden; Victoria Goldsmith, the sensational thirteen year old violinist; and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then comes the Jazz Night with Georgie Fame and young British jazz stars; The Rat Pack evening; and finally the Sixties Night with the sound of The Sound of the Supremes and the Drifters.
All the evenings looked good, and with a firework finish each night the choice wasn’t easy. Finally we opted for the first night, mainly as that when friends were free to make up our picnic party. We gathered at 17.30; queuing outside for a while before we made our way in and set up our picnic area. We weren’t early enough to be in front of the stage, but we were central to it with a great view of the proceedings. We spread out our rugs, unfolded the chairs and prepared to enjoy ourselves. First it was time to celebrate with some champagne and nibbles. People were still coming in, so when we started we were in a relatively spacious area, but before long, plenty of people had joined us and corks were popping all round. There was champagne to buy from the Hardy’s Wine tent, where they were selling bottles including plastic flutes to drink from – such a good idea. We moved on to our picnic – salads and stuff, all very similar to the folk around us. But there were plenty of people ‘doing dinner’ in the Wisley Restaurant and Cafeteria , which look out towards the stage set against Wisley’s lovely grass border.
At 19.30 our concert began with Gershwin then Aled Jones, who is hugely popular from his presenting on Classic FM and Songs of Praise, entered to great applause. He chatted and sang two Welsh songs, then introduced Operababes, which made the men all sit up! These very glamorous young women singers sang opera duets from Madame Butterfly and La Traviata; and were followed by Victoria Goldsmith. Born in 1991 in St. Petersburg, Victoria has already performed in the USA after attending the Yehudi Menuhin School, Surrey for two and a half years. This evening she performed a lively Carmen Fantasy in an exceedingly professional manner. Back came Aled and Operbabes to round off the first half of the concert.
Unbeknown to most of the audience, a wedding was taking place in a marquee to the side of the stage. Only when Aled alluded to the ceremony going on in this white tent, did we realize what was happening. Apparently, there is this possibility as well as corporate entertainment opportunities for the evenings of the Music Festival. We paid £30 for our tickets, which included the usual free parking at the Garden. Corporate deals range from £150 -£250 plus VAT to include concert tickets and dinner. The organisers stress the availability of one free parking space per 4 persons. It seems quite a mark up unless Sodexho improve on their usual mediocre (in my opinion) catering. But, what a setting for a wedding and all that wonderful music laid on. I wonder if there were further weddings on the other three nights - plenty of dancing to be done later in the week – not to mention fireworks.
The second half of the concert was just as good as the first, and all too soon we were nearing the end of our night out. But, we were to get some of our own singing in before the end. Led by Aled, we launched into a mini ‘last night of the proms’ with Sea songs, Rule Britannia, and Pomp and Circumstance with many participants waving Union Flags! To end it all we had an encore of Jerusalem, which was quickly followed by a wonderful firework display as our stars disappeared into the night. What a great time we all had.
Then we had all to get out of the Gardens and the car park! But, contrary to what you may think, we were well on our way within 20 minutes of the end. RHS must be congratulated on the superb organisation, which managed a swift and safe end to a great evening.
If you think you would enjoy this event in future, I advise you to book early, as I’m sure it will continue to be a success and a sell out as it becomes a ‘must do’ annually in June.
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