24 May 2004
Dear Friends and Supporters,
In our last newsletter we predicted that, building on the varied range of events and activities of the previous two years, the year 2004 would be even more wide-reaching. This is proving to be the case.
Our first event was a private viewing at l'Hermitage Foundation in Lausanne: du Greco à Delacroix. It included background music performed by members of the Swiss Jazz Academy in Berne, kindly introduced to the Foundation by its Director, George Robert. We plan to continue our collaboration with him, thus broadening our outreach into the world of jazz!
The Foundation's inaugural educational event was an inspirational Master Class given by our Artistic Director, Geoffrey Simon, featuring the talented young Swiss cellist Marie-Stéphanie Janecek. We were pleased to introduce to the audience of some 72 Friends the young Swiss conductor Thomas Herzog, who spoke about the Dvorák Cello Concerto--the musical focus of the evening.
The scene then changed to London, with a reception, talk and concert held at Christie's Rooms in King Street, St James's, SW1. Dr Timothy Hunter, a member of our Advisory Board, eloquently discoursed on several of the works of art on display for the Old Masters' Sale which was to be held later that week. The musical programme presented Marie-Stéphanie Janecek and the Swiss soprano Marina Lodygensky, each accompanied by pianist Simon Zaoui. It was enjoyed by an audience of 150 people.
We now look forward to a series of equally interesting events, in which we very much hope you will be able to participate.
Sunday, June 13th: a terrace cocktail and concert will be given at the Lausanne Palace Hotel, in the Salle Richemont. The first half of the programme will feature a flute and piano recital by the Australian flautist Andrew Day--a recent graduate of the Juilliard School, New York--accompanied by the Australian pianist Stephen Delaney. The second half will be performed by the gifted Swiss pianist Antoine Rebstein, now well known to the Foundation.
Thursday June 24th: the ancient Maison de la Vigne et du Vi--the Lausanne headquarters of the Vaudois Wine Office (OVV)--will be the unusual and charming setting for a Friends' Garden Party and wine tasting of exceptional local vintages. The event will be hosted by the OVV director, Robert Crüll, who has supported the Foundation since its inception.
Saturday September 25th: a rare event in a superb location starts our autumn season in style. A concert and afternoon tea will be held at Le Grand Chalet in Rossinière, the home of the legendary painter Balthus and now the headquarters of the Balthus Foundation, housing a permanent exhibition of his works and studio. We are most grateful to the Countess Setsuko Klossowska de Rola for receiving us in her home, and to the Balthus Foundation for allowing us to stage the event.
October 7th to 10th: the gracious Château de Montcaud, near Avignon, France--a member of the Relais & Châteaux Hotel Association, owned and managed by the eminent Swiss hotelier Rudy Baur--will be the idyllic setting for our first Jours des Arts, a four-day cultural event. The concept, "From the Avignon of the Palace of the Popes to the Cremona of Stradivarius," is explored in this haven of peace and sylvan beauty, rich in historic associations and famed for its gastronomy. Members of the Foundation's Advisory Board will give performances and presentations--an exciting opportunity for Friends to meet and converse with them. The event will undoubtedly be a landmark for our Foundation, its members and supporters. tel: 00 33 (0)4.66.89.60.60, email: montcaud@relaischateaux.com
Jours des Arts 1
"From the Avignon of The Palace of the Popes to the Cremona of Stradivarius": We invite you to a Cultural Overview of the Art and Music of this period in History
Programme
Thursday, 7 October
Morning: Guests arrive
3:00pm: Afternoon Tea and Tour of the Grounds and Herb Garden. Introduction to the Head Chef, M. Buffet
6:00pm: Cocktails and Introductory Talk with Multi-media Presentation by Dr Timothy Hunter, a member of the Advisory Board of the Anglo-Suisse Artistic Foundation and a Director of Christie's, London. An Historical Perspective for the following morning's tour of The Palace of the Popes in Avignon
8:15pm: Dinner
Friday, 8 October
9:30am: Trip to Avignon and The Palace of the Popes. Also, for those interested, time to visit the Petit Palais
1:30pm: Luncheon at Châteauneuf-du-Pape
4:00pm: Meeting of the Advisory Board of the Anglo-Suisse Artistic Foundation
6:00pm: Cocktails and Talk with Multi-media Presentation by Richard Philp, a member of the Advisory Board of the Anglo-Suisse Artistic Foundation and leading London art dealer, on the Development of Art from the 12th to the 16th Century, with special emphasis on the Early Renaissance
7:15pm: Recital by Tamás Ungár piano, a member of the Advisory Board of the Anglo-Suisse Artistic Foundation, Professor of Piano, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, USA and Director of the TCU-Cliburn Piano Institute
8:15pm: Dinner
Saturday, 9 October
10:30am: Coffee Concert in the Courtyard by Marie-Stéphanie Janecek cello, accompanied by Stephen Delaney piano
1:00pm: Bistro Luncheon at the Château de Montcaud and Lecture by Dr Peter Tregear, a member of the Advisory Board of the Anglo-Suisse Artistic Foundation and Director of Music at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, on the Cultural Movements Sweeping Europe from the Renaissance to the Baroque
2:30pm: Screening of the film The Red Violin
4:30pm: Meeting of the Advisory Board of the Anglo-Suisse Artistic Foundation
6:00pm: Cocktails and Illustrated Talk by George Drapeau III and Nigel Brown on Stradivarius and the Cremonese Art of Violin Making. George Drapeau, of Armonk, New York, USA is a publisher and the owner of a 1726 Stradivarius. Nigel Brown is one of the UK's foremost experts and investors in instruments by Stradivarius
7:15pm: Recital by Florence Cooke violin, performing on a Stradivarius Violin
8:15pm: Dinner
Sunday, 10 October
11:00am: Jazz Brunch
Afternoon: Departure
In November, a literary event will be held in conjunction with the Graham Greene Trust, to commemorate the life and works of this unique author on the centenary of his birth. It will be held in Corseaux, Vevey, where Graham Greene is buried, and where a vineyard trail has been dedicated to him.
Also during November, a private Friends reception with music will be hosted by Ambassador Charles Bruggmann, Chairperson of the Friends, and Mrs Bruggmann in their gracious home in Vevey.
December 2nd: our now well-established pre-Christmas event--a musical soirée and reception--will be held at the Villa Principe Leopoldo in Lugano, hosted by our friend and supporter, General Manager Maurice R.L. Urech.
In London, December 10th: the Foundation will hold a gala dinner with music at the private dining club of one of our patrons, Anton Mosimann OBE. It will be honoured by the presence of the Swiss Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Full details and invitations to all of these events will of course be sent to you.
Please also log on to our website: www.anglo-suisse.art-found.com for further information and regular updates.
We very much look forward to the pleasure of your company in the prevailing spirit of harmony which characterises our Foundation and its work.
Warmest wishes,
Heather de Haes
Director