An award-winning children’s author and illustrator returns to Hatfield next month for a much-loved Christmas concert with a leading Hertfordshire orchestra.
Audiences can expect to be amazed on Sunday, December 1 as the orchestra brings a repertoire of festive favourites to life while James Mayhew creates his stunning live illustrations before their very eyes, all in perfect synchronicity with the music.
The Christmas Spectacular programme includes Coleridge-Taylor’s glorious Christmas Overture, filled with beloved Christmas carols, and Prokofiev’s lively Troika (Sleigh Ride) — the composer’s first foray into film music.
Also featured is Rimsky-Korsakov’s magnificent Christmas Eve Suite. Inspired by a Ukrainian fairytale, it rivals The Nutcracker for its sparkling melodies and enchanting sounds, providing the perfect start to the Christmas season.
James Mayhew said: “The de Havilland Philharmonic, with conductor Robin Browning, were the first orchestra I ever painted with.
"It always feels like coming home — to share stories, music and art with the fantastic audiences at Weston Auditorium. This is a very special Christmas concert, and we can't wait to be back!”
James is a former illustration tutor who has published over 50 books in a career spanning more than 30 years.
For over 15 years, he has collaborated with different orchestras, ensembles and soloists across UK to present classical music concerts for children, providing a fantastic opportunity to introduce young people to the wonders of classical music.
In addition to the concert, there will be a charity raffle, where audiences have the chance to win the paintings that Mayhew creates during the show.
The proceeds will go to Side by Side with Refugees — an Essex-based charity giving help and support to refugees.
This is a double bill, so there will be two 60-minute concerts taking place on Sunday, December 1 at 2pm and at 4pm in the 450-seater Weston Auditorium on the de Havilland campus in Hatfield.
Tickets are available between £7 and £15 — and are free for carers and UH students — from the website www.uharts.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01707 281 127 (open Monday to Friday, 10am to noon).
Formed in 1969, the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra (dHPO) is the University of Hertfordshire’s resident orchestra and brings together more than 80 classical musicians under the leadership of their dynamic conductor, Robin Browning.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here