Music & Memory

14th June, 2018

A special orchestral performance played from memory will form the centrepiece of a one-day celebration of Music & Memory hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch at his Northamptonshire home this summer.

Boughton House will welcome the celebrated Aurora Orchestra to the ticketed event on Saturday 30^th June for a presentation of Mozart’s 40^th Symphony in the iconic stately home’s Great Hall.

In recent years, Aurora Orchestra has pioneered memorised performance (without the use of printed sheet music), and is thought to be the first orchestra worldwide to perform whole symphonies in this unique way.

Distinguished speakers include author Robert McCrum, who will talk on Shakespeare, identity, memory and consciousness, and Jeremy Hughes, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Society, who will explore Changing lives of people with dementia through music.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a preview of the House’s upcoming MEMORY exhibition – which opens to the public in August – inspired by the fabled collections of the Dukes of Buccleuch, the centuries of family heritage, and with music as a guiding thread.

The Duke of Buccleuch said: “Aurora Orchestra is a formidable force in classical music, continually exploring new and exciting ways of getting under the skin of the greatest musical works. We are honoured to be hosting the orchestra here at Boughton House for this special day, as we are our speakers.

“Memory is the guiding theme of not only this event, but our upcoming exhibition, which has been lovingly woven together by our curator Paul Boucher. Boughton is awash with intriguing and poignant memories, which we look forward to sharing with our visitors this summer.”

Tickets for Music & Memory at Boughton House are on sale now priced at £75, with concert-only tickets available from £50.

The event starts at 11.00am Saturday 30^th June with an introduction from the Duke of Buccleuch and Paul Boucher, followed by panel discussions and lunch. Musical performances, exhibition previews and house tours will take place in the afternoon. Find out more at: www.boughtonhouse.co.uk/events/music-memory and book your tickets here.

Boughton House and Gardens will open to the public again throughout August. Guided House tours will begin at 1pm, with the last tour at 3.30pm daily. Groups are welcome to visit by prior arrangement throughout the year.

During the summer opening, The Great Hall Tour, plus entry to the Gardens, Armoury and special exhibition costs £10 for adults, £8 for children and £30 for families (two adults and two children). Children under five go free.  The State Rooms tour is available for an extra £2.00 per person, while the Books, Beds and Beyond Tour is an additional £10 per person.

The Gardens will open throughout August between 12pm-5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults, £3 for children and £14 for families (two adults and two children). As an added bonus, Gardens tickets holders will also gain access to the Armoury and the special exhibition.

To find out more, contact Boughton House on 01536 515 731 or email info@boughtonhouse.co.uk.