This concert features two historic dance specialists Mary Collins and Steven Player, accompanied by strings, oboes, bassoon, horns and harpsichord. Vauxhall Gardens was a public space where multicultural entertainment was available for people from all walks of life. The first half of our programme portrays notable concert pieces and dances popular with the beau monde, taken from historic records of works performed at the Gardens in the 18th century. The format of this half is similar to that of Vauxhall Gardens, with the more substantial works first and the lighter works towards the end.
The Vauxhall Band is a collective of musicians dedicated to performing a wealth of original and unique 18th and 19th century repertoire on period instruments. The ensemble is a revival of the name which the group of musicians who played at Vauxhall Gardens were referred to historically.
Based on the findings of an ongoing research project, with a focus on music in London, concert programmes are inspired by music which was performed in a variety of social and cultural contexts: from Pleasure Gardens such as Vauxhall, Ranelagh, and Marylebone, to the King’s Theatre, to concert rooms.
Bringing together leading period instrument specialists, performing rare and largely unrepresented repertoire, The Vauxhall Band are here to showcase and reaffirm this once popular glorious music, and the immersive historical experience it creates.