BEST SELLING AUTHOR PLAYS HANDEL FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY
21 January 2010 Louis de Bernières, best selling author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, launches his first musical play in aid of children’s charity Coram. The unique production will be performed by Louis de Bernières, soprano Nicki Kennedy, and The Brook Street Band, at The Drapers’ Hall, London on 23rd February. This special event aims to raise £30,000 for the vulnerable children Coram works with today.
Set in the 21st century, Handel revisits his old home, 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, where most of his composition and rehearsal took place. Handel is no ghost – but vividly alive, such is Louis de Bernières’ characterisation and powerful storytelling.
The concert follows the tradition that Handel began in 1749 when he first performed a concert for the children of the Foundling Hospital, today known as Coram. After this performance Handel was made a governor of the Hospital and held annual concerts to raise money for the Foundling Hospital until his death in 1759.
Governor of Coram Philippa Dodds John has been organising the event for over ten years, she says: “Following Handel’s footsteps, we now use the annual Handel Birthday Concert, not only to pay tribute to our benefactor but also to raise much needed funds for today’s vulnerable children and families. This production by Louis de Bernières will undoubtedly be one of our best concerts yet”.
Coram has been creating better chances for children since 1739. The charity continues to tackle loss and champion what matters most for children and young people –security, love, education and a future. Today, Coram works with over 10,000 children, young people and their families each year.
Tickets for the event cost £100 and can be purchased directly from Coram on 020 7520 0313 or alternatively email LaurenK@coram.org.uk www.coram.org.uk (Champagne reception at 6.30pm, followed by performance at 7.30pm, evening ending at 10.30pm)
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For further media information please contact Meighan Bell on 020 7520 0357 or email meighan@coram.org.uk
Notes to editor
Louis de Bernières - Bio
Louis de Bernières, who lives in Norfolk, published his first novel in 1990 and was selected by Granta magazine as one of the twenty Best of Young British Novelists in 1993. Since then he has become well kn own internationally as a writer and his sixth novel, Birds Without Wings, came out in 2004. Captain Corelli's Mandolin (1994), won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Novel. A Partisan's Daughter 2008, was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award and his new book, Notwithstanding: English Village Stories, was published in Autumn 2009.
As well as writing, he plays the flute, mandolin, clarinet and guitar, and performs regularly with the Antonius Players.
Nicki Kennedy - Bio
Nicki has performed, broadcast and recorded at many of the major festivals of Europe, Japan and the U.S.A, with a wide range of orchestras including The Academy of Ancient Music, Les Musiciens du Louvre, L'Orchestre des Champs Elysées, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia, the Purcell Quartet, Le Parlement de Musique, the Brook Street Band and others.
