Clandon Park: Its historic past, present state & uncertain future | Ep. 88
How a fire reduced this 18th century Palladian house to a mere shell... and the questions that it raises.This week, Geoff and Rory are joined by Cornelia Van Der Poll - an Oxford academic and co-founder of Restore Trust - a lobbying group that encourages the National Trust to focus on its founding principles to safeguard our nation's heritage for all to enjoy.In this fascinating episode, we discuss Clandon Park in Surrey - from the architectural and social history of this wonderful Palladian-come-Baroque house (the former seat of the Earls of Onslow) to its current status as one of the most controversial country houses of recent times; after a devastating fire in 2015 reduced the house to a shell, debate continues to rage over whether to restore the house fully or do something 'alternative' with the insurance pay-out.What are your thoughts on the future of Clandon Park? Please leave comments!
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From Venice with Love: Canaletto & 'Canaletto Rooms' in country houses | Ep. 87
How a humble Venetian artist became synonymous with Britain's country house collections...This week Geoff and Rory are joined by renowned Canaletto expert, Charles Beddington, to discuss all things Canaletto! From the artist's humble Venetian beginnings to his 'discovery' by the British Consul in Venice - Joseph Smith - who became Canaletto's patron and agent, placing him firmly on the map for Grand Tourists.In time, paintings by Canaletto would become the souvenir-du-jour for Britain's travelling aristocrats - with the Duke of Bedford commissioning 24 paintings - of which twenty hang in the dining room at Woburn Abbey (one of the famous 'Canaletto Rooms' that we discuss on this podcast episode!)Please join us, and if you enjoy this episode please like it and write us a review. Please also send in questions for our soon-to-be-resurrected Q&A episodes!
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Country House Festivals: From opera & art to motor racing & horse trials | Ep. 86
Every summer, dozens of country houses open their gates for festival-goers, with a huge array of different events hosted within the grounds of our most cherished estates. Off the back of our recent episodes on 'Capability' Brown and Vache Baroque Festival, we have chosen this week to dedicate an entire episode to festivals held on country estates, where fabulous houses provide the most beautiful of backdrops.In this light-hearted episode, Rory takes Geoff on a tour of different types of country house festivals - from the Game Fair at Ragley Hall and motor racing at Goodwood, to Badminton Horse Trials and The Grange Opera Festival.Please join us, and if you enjoy this episode please like it and write us a review. Please also send in questions for our soon-to-be-resurrected Q&A episodes!
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The Vache: Baroque music in an Elizabethan setting | Ep. 85
This week, Geoff and Rory are joined by countertenor, arranger of classical music and co-founder of 'Vache Baroque', Jonathan Darbourne, to discuss the storied history of the The Vache - an elegant, privately owned Elizabethan country house nestled in the gently rolling Chiltern Hills - and the Baroque music festival he directs every summer in its grounds.Every year in late August and early September, the discreet and immensely private gardens of The Vache are to be found buzzing with people immersed in music and surrounded by beauty, as Vache Baroque celebrates baroque music in all its splendour. The festival transforms this magical Grade II‑listed country house setting into a vibrant, multi-sensory stage with pop‑up performances, art installations and opera under the trees, all designed to captivate both novice aficionado alike.With a keen vision for community outreach and engaging audiences who aren't usually exposed to baroque (or classical) music, Vache Baroque succeeds both in reaching new audiences with music and championing the history and importance of country houses and their place in our nation's history. Critics have lauded its 'astonishing acoustics' and 'thrilling performance', while audiences delight in the relaxed, picnic‑style ambience as evening opera unfolds beneath the Chiltern sky.Please join us for this fun episode celebrating music, the country house and their enduring relationship with each other. If you like this episode please like it and write us a review. Please also send in questions for our soon-to-be-resurrected Q&A episodes!
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'Capability' Brown: Visionary or vandal? | Ep. 84
Lancelot 'Capability' Brown is known throughout the world as the master of the English landscape garden. A visionary who created carefully curated, idyllic and natural-looking landscapes at many of the greatest country houses in England, Brown is one of those true 'greats' after whom a whole style is named; the 'Brownian' landscape continues to inspire and entrance gardeners, landscape designers and punters alike.But Brown's style wasn't without controversy... many felt that his reckless sweeping away of traditional formal gardens and parterres (replacing them with lawns, ha-has and rolling parks) was the height of vandalism.In this episode, Geoff gives Rory a whistle-stop overview of the life of Capability Brown from his humble birth to sudden death. We discuss the controversies surrounding Brown's style, and reflect on his extraordinary genius and long-term legacy.Please join us for a 'walk in the [Capability Brown] park' and if you like this episode please like it and write us a review. Please also send in questions for our soon-to-be-resurrected Q&A episodes!
Sverige