Lifelong friends Wilf (Billy Connolly) and Reggie (Tom Courtenay), together with former colleague Cissy (Pauline Collins), are residents of Beecham House, a home for retired opera singers. Every year on Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday, the residents unite to give a concert to raise funds for their home. But when Jean Horton (Maggie Smith), a former grande dame of the opera fallen on hard times, also Reggie’s ex-wife and the fourth and most celebrated member of their former quartet, moves into the home to everyone’s surprise, the plans for this year’s concert start to unravel.
Quartet is a joyous and entertaining film about redefining old age and growing old with hope, demonstrating how art illuminates life and the human spirit remains undimmed even as the brightest stars start to fade.
hmvcurzon Wimbledon brings you a special preview of Quartet. The Gala Screening is in support of the Musicians Benevolent Fund, and will be introduced by Lesley Garrett, following a brief performance by the classical pop group 'Amore'.
After the screening, there will be a Q&A with actors Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Sheridan Smith, and screenwriter Ronald Harwood broadcasted via satellite.
To celebrate the release of Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut Quartet, Momentum Pictures are offering Curzon customers a chance to win a tour of the magnificent Hedsor House, as featured in the film, along with afternoon tea for two.
The prize is for two people and includes the tour of the house and grounds, afternoon tea, two pots of Hedsor Honey for each guest, £200 towards travel and spending money.
To enter, email your booking reference to win@curzoncinemas.com with ‘Quartet’ in the subject line. Click here for more information and terms and conditions.
20Nov
Dear members,
Further to my email last week, the masterclass with Sue Bullock coaching Helena Dix in the Liebestod last Saturday was fantastic! Everyone who came along agreed that it was an illuminating and highly enjoyable event. If you would like to come along this coming Saturday and hear Sue coaching Lee Bisset, Cara McHardy and Megan Llewellyn Dorke from 2:30-4:30 pm, we still have some tickets for sale. Please contact Mike Morgan ticketsecretary@wagnersociety.org for further details.
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I have had an email from a member who would like to offer his LP set of Solti's Ring for sale.
"About 12 years ago, I bought the full set of Wagner’s Ring. This is the stereo recording with Georg Solti conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in 1959. Each of the 4 operas are 12” LPs in their own sleeve and there is an excellent introduction by Deryck Cooke featuring the many leitmotifs in The Ring.
My copy is complete, well cared for and cost £100. We are planning to move house next year so are having a “Spring clean”. I wonder if any members of your society might be interested in buying this wonderful work?"
If you would be interested in making this member an offer for these records, please let me know and I will put you in touch with the seller.
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A reminder about the forthcoming dinner hosted by the Liszt, Alkan, Berlioz and Wagner Societies on January 24th. It would be wonderful if some of you could come along. It is sensibly priced and should be a pleasant evening in the company of other music lovers. As the Wagner Society will not be holding its own Christmas dinner this year, we hope members will consider this joint event instead.
Alkan, Berlioz, Liszt and Wagner Societies dinner to inaugurate,
celebrate and promote the closer working of these Societies
7 to 10pm (approx) on Thursday 24th January
A piano recital by Mark Viner followed by a two course dinner
Helena Dix will also perform the Liebestod
The Forge Restaurant, 3-7 Delancey Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7NL
Price : £40 per head including wine. Non-member guests welcome
http://www.forgevenue.org/visit-the-forge
Requests for attendance to: Jim Vincent, The Liszt Society, 3 Offlands Court, Reading Road, Moulsford, Oxon OX10 9EX Tel: 01491 651842 e-mail: jim.vincent@hotmail.co.uk
Payment by Paypal (destination address: treasurer@lisztsoc.org.uk ) or by cheque payable to The Liszt Society. Applications must be received before 3rd January 2013. No tickets will be issued and a list of attendees will be held on the door. Members applying for places electronically will be notified by e-mail. Members applying by post are requested to provide a self-addressed stamped envelope if they require written confirmation.
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AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, DON'T FORGET THE BAYREUTH BURSARY COMPETITION ON DECEMBER 1ST. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Please let me know if you have any news or information that you would like me to circulate to members.
best wishes
Andrea Buchanan
Secretary, The Wagner Society
