It’s always especially pleasing when I get invited to sing rather than organising and promoting myself, and there are two events coming up where somebody else is doing the organising.
On Saturday 2nd April, along with 7 other members of Solway Singers, I am singing Shearing’s Shakespeare Songs at a fund-raising dinner in the Dacre Hall, Lanercost. These are a lovely jazzy setting and I have to admit to preferring his version of Who is Sylvia to Schubert’s. In addition, Lanercost is a really special place – nestling under Hadrian’s Wall, it has seen a lot in its time, having been used by both the English and the Scottish as a base during times of war. The ruins of the Priory stand witness to the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the medieval Dacre Hall is allegedly the oldest ‘village hall’ in England and was once part of the Dacre family home based on this site. The Dacre family was joined by marriage to the Howard family from nearby Naworth Castle and the Priory, Dacre Hall, other buildings and surrounding site are still owned by a mixture of the Church of England, English Heritage and Naworth Castle.
The fund-raising dinner has a Shakespearean theme and is in aid of Lanercost Festival. As well as the eight of us singing there will be other entertainment and all in all it promises to be a good evening.
It was! And I am keen to sing more Shearing.
runningin3time 