This Is London 25 October 2019

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6 Photos: Justin Griffiths ENGLISH SCHOOLS’ ORCHESTRA CELEBRATE 25 YEARS This year marks a double celebration for the English Schools' Orchestra – a gathering of gifted young musicians from across the country who, for 25 years have played their annual concert with all the polish and bravura of a proven professional orchestra. As the highlight of their Silver Jubilee Concert on Sunday 3 November at Cadogan Hall (15.00), virtuoso Isata Kanneh-Mason, 23, will perform Clara Schumann's piano concerto. 2019 also marks the 200th birth anniversary of Isata's under sung musical heroine, Clara Schumann. Schumann's concerto is perfect for the programme as she started it when she was just 13, the same age as the youngest of this year's ESO instrumentalists. For many people, schools music is synonymous with a dusty assembly hall where parents enthusiastically applaud a decentenough rendition of Fur Elise or the piping of reception year's recorders. Such music has a rightful place and its own sweet charm. But the English Schools' Orchestra soars far above the stereotype: it's a sparkling showcase for what inspired school students can achieve, despite the pressure of exams and only a week to rehearse in the October half term. Over the years, the ESO's playbook has included Verdi's Requiem, Bach and Hindemith, Mahler and Gershwin. Their playing reflects more than a specialist skill and a finely tuned ear. As the orchestra's founding President Lord Lingfield says,'I do believe that music develops the soul. At a time when the number of school orchestras is diminishing throughout the country, the English Schools' Orchestra is not only flourishing but recruiting superb young musicians who are as talented as ever. It is a particular joy to know that many of our players have gone on during the past twenty-five years to professional musical careers and that a group of alumni gives their time to tutor the orchestra of today. It has been a quarter of a century of hard work, but when I listen to the magnificent concerts that they play, I know that it has been entirely worth it.' Box office telephone 020 7730 4500. HALLOWEEN TREATS AT ZSL LONDON ZOO Lemurs, pygmy hippos and tigers have all got into the Halloween spirit, as ZSL London Zoo counts down to a week of fiendish family fun during October half-term. While kids all over the country prepare for the spookiest night of the year, Sumatran tiger Asim sunk his paws into a giant ghoulish gourd, rolling around a 42kg pumpkin before enjoying a meaty feast hidden inside. Joining in the festive fun were the Zoo’s spirited group of ring-tailed lemurs, named after the ghosts of Roman mythology, who had their own carved creation for breakfast – while pygmy hippo Nicky chomped her way through a multi-coloured pumpkin patch, forming a very spooky assault course. Autumn half-term fun at the zoo iis free with Zoo entry – www.zsl.org t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e
STAVROS DITSIOS : N A T U R A AT J/M GALLERY Stavros Ditsios was born in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1978, which is where he lives and works. The artist studied painting in the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence (1997-2001) and, amongst his tutors, was Professor Umberto Borella. Stavros’ large-scale works are characterised by overlapping surfaces in mixed media and there is a clear influence of abstract expressionism. Social activism is a key part of Stavros’ work as he comments on political, economic and social issues, each body of work organised around a new theme with the overall aim of reflecting on critical issues. His latest series, Natura, on show in London this autumn focus on the beauty of nature in the era of climate change. His live action painting of a Greek sunset is captured on video, and the aim is to witness and marvel at the beauty of nature and realise what is under threat. Many of Stavros Ditsios’ paintings are held in the Museum of Vorre, Athens, in the Greek Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs as well as key private collections. His extensive exhibition history includes exhibitions at the Museum of Art and Science Milan last year and the State Museum for Contemporary Art in Thessalonki in 2017 and at the London Art Biennale earlier this year. Natura is one of a new series of exhibitions in London of work of contemporary Greek artists, introduced by the Greek business woman and politician Varvara Roza. She says: ‘Stavros’ passion means that he creates awareness of critical issues through his work, inspiring, work moves constantly in new directions, brave, conveys his feelings bringing together critical issues and emotional reaction, making personal public issues.’ The exhibition will be on view at the J/M Gallery, Portobello Road from 6-22 November. For further details, visit www.varvararozagalleries.com 7 t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e
Page 3 and 4: 3 CONTENTS Events 4 New cast for WI
Page 8 and 9: 8 Brighton Festival Chorus. FAURÉ
Page 10 and 11: 10 Wimbledon Choral Society. GOLDIL
Page 12 and 13: 12 FILMS IN CONCERT AT THE ROYAL AL
Page 14: 14 Photos: Ed Reeve. MOVING TO MARS
Page 17 and 18: THE TELEGRAPH SKI & SNOWBOARD FESTI
Page 19 and 20: The cast of The Play That Goes Wron
Page 21 and 22: GROAN UPS First show in Mischief Th

This Is London 25 October 2019

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