On Thursday 5 December, the leading Parkinson’s research and support charity, Parkinson’s UK, will mark 50 years of the organisation with a festive evening of classical music and readings at St John’s Smith Square, Westminster.

Guests will enjoy the rousing brilliance of the Orion Orchestra under the baton of their new Principal Conductor Gary Matthewman, Musical Director for the evening, who will also be joined by royalty-approved soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, star horn virtuoso Ben Goldscheider and British baritone Dominic Sedgwick. Downtown Abbey’s Dame Penelope Wilton, Vanessa Redgrave CBE, Sir Simon Russell Beale, Tim McInnerny and The Reverend Richard Coles will all be taking to the stage during the evening to complete this star-studded show. Celebrity speakers will read extracts from Shakespeare, Fleabag’s Wedding Speech and work by Carol Ann Duffy. 

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the VIP reception which takes place following the concert. The reception will be hosted by Parkinson’s UK’s President, Jane Asher, and include drinks and canapes whilst guests mingle with the stars of the show. 

The programme for the evening will include:

Mozart, Overture from Le Nozze di Figaro

Purcell, ‘When I have often heard’ Nymph from The Fairy Queen

Mozart, ‘Hai già vinta la causa… Vedro mentr’io sospiro’ Il Conte from Le Nozze di Figaro

Handel, ‘Endless pleasure, endless love’ from Semele

Mozart, Rondo for Horn and Orchestra in Eb major K371

Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Incidental Music, Op. 61 Nocturne

Strauss, ‘Lieben, Hassen, Hoffen, Zagen…’ Harlekin from Ariadne auf Naxos

Strauss, Allegro from Horn Concerto in Eb major, Op.11

Handel, ‘Let the Bright Seraphim…’ from Samson

Handel, ‘Hallelujah!’ Chorus from Messiah 

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.sjss.org.uk/events/fanfare-square for £15, £40 or £85. All funds raised will fund vital Parkinson’s research, to help Parkinson’s UK get close to a cure to end Parkinson’s. Forever.