Ensemble Hesperi

Then I play'd upon the Harpsichord

Join award-winning artists Ensemble Hesperi for a musical evening with Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, celebrating her profound love of music. Filmed live at our unique Georgian venue, Six, Fitzroy Square, we present an informal musical evening of the sort Queen Charlotte loved to organise for her family and friends. Based on original research by recorder player Mary-Jannet Leith, the ensemble performs a programme of music and song loved by the Queen, with guest soloists Rowan Pierce (Soprano) and Nathaniel Mander (fortepiano) alongside an expanded ensemble.

Between musical items, actor Miranda Keeling dramatises snippets from Queen Charlotte's own diaries, and the fascinating memoirs of her lady-in-waiting, Charlotte Papendiek. Featuring music by Wolfgang Mozart, George Frederick Handel, Johann Christian Bach, Carl Friedrich Abel, Jane Guest, and many more...

A programme booklet, which introduces you to Queen Charlotte and her musicians, is available for download alongside the film.