The magnificent St Peter’s Chapel at Auckland Palace will host an exclusive gala charity concert next week, bringing together celebrated classical masterpieces, outstanding musicians and a host of auction prizes in support of young people across the North East.
Guests at Auckland Palace can expect an elegant evening of classical music, wine and canapés, with a charity auction and raffle offering an array of exclusive prizes.
Taking place on Thursday 12 November, the evening will offer guests a programme of music by some of the world’s greatest composers, including Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Handel, alongside a performance by Durham University Chamber Choir.
Hosted by The Auckland Project on behalf of the High Sheriff of Durham, Dr Arnab Basu MBE DL, the occasion will raise funds for the High Sheriff’s Youth Awards, which support grassroots organisations transforming the lives of young people across the region.
With VIP tickets already sold out, tickets are still available for £30 per person, offering guests the chance to experience an evening of classical music in one of Europe’s largest private chapels, complete with wine and canapés during the interval.
Among the standout lots for the auction are a private flight for three people over Northumberland’s spectacular coastline, two tickets in the Directors’ Box for the England v New Zealand cricket match at Durham County Cricket Club, a wine-tasting experience for up to eight people in their own home, hosted by Daniel Jonberger of Crush and a bottle of wine signed by the Prime Minister, donated by Sam Rushworth MP.
The auction and raffle will take place during the interval in a tipi on Auckland Palace’s arrivals court, giving guests another opportunity to support the High Sheriff’s fundraising campaign.
The musical programme will be equally memorable.
The first half will feature baritone soloist Samuel Davie, trumpeter Bronwen Roberts and pianist and harpsichordist Adam Chillingworth, accompanied by a string quartet comprising violinists Shreya Grover and Anne-Mae Ong, violist Inga de Vegvar and cellist Maddie Murray.
Audiences will enjoy a carefully curated selection of classical favourites, opening with Purcell’s Trumpet Sonata in D Major, followed by Schubert’s An Sylvia and Mozart’s Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen from The Magic Flute.
Highlights will include Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Trepak and March from The Nutcracker, before the first half reaches a rousing conclusion with Handel’s The Trumpet Shall Sound from Messiah.
Following the interval, Durham University Chamber Choir, conducted by Louis Allen, will take centre stage with choral works by Heinrich Schütz and Johann Sebastian Bach, culminating in Bach’s celebrated Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied.
The concert’s historic setting promises to make the evening particularly special. Dating back to around 1190, St Peter’s Chapel was originally built as a medieval hall during the time of Bishop Hugh du Puiset, before Bishop John Cosin transformed it into a chapel in 1665.
The High Sheriff of Durham, Dr Basu, said: “I’m very grateful to The Auckland Project for hosting this concert and helping us raise funds for the High Sheriff’s Youth Awards.
“During my year so far as High Sheriff, I’ve already had the opportunity to visit some remarkable organisations working with young people, often in communities facing considerable challenges. I’ve seen first-hand the difference that relatively modest amounts of funding can make to the work they do.
“The concert should be a very enjoyable evening in a wonderful setting, and I hope people will come along, support the event and help us to support more community organisations next year.”
The High Sheriff’s Youth Awards, facilitated by Point North, have supported more than 120 grassroots organisations and 46,000 young people across County Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton since 2012.
Dr Basu has made improving opportunities for young people a central priority of his year in office, particularly those facing disadvantage, struggling with their mental health or at risk of becoming involved in crime.
The gala charity concert takes place at St Peter’s Chapel, Auckland Palace, on Thursday 12 November. Tickets cost £30 per person and include wine and canapés during the interval. VIP tickets are sold out.
To book tickets or find out more, visit https://aucklandproject.org/event/high-sheriff-durham-fundraising-concert/ and secure your place today.
