Museum Matinees – Imaginary Landscapes (Poetry and Harp Recital)

A fusion of words and music, Imaginary Landscapes brings together the spellbinding poetry of Chris Tutton, acclaimed author and performer with the brilliance of international award-winning harpist, Lucy Nolan.
 
Chris Tutton is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of eight collections of poetry, the most recent being ‘Short Chapters From Sunset’. Coined by Ned Sherrin as “the master of the short poem” his work has also been described as “absolutely beautiful” by Alexander Waugh, with Iain Anderson of BBC Scotland noting that it was “philosophy in poetry form” and the Sunday Times commenting on its “dramatic passion and dignity”.

His debut novel, ‘The Failing of Angels’ was published in 2020, “I have never read such beautiful writing. I was stunned” – Robert Pisani.

Lucy Nolan is an award-winning international harpist, passionate about challenging and evolving new styles of harp playing through collaboration, composition and performance. Featured on Radio 3 and 4 she has also played on Hollyoaks and ITV’s drama ‘Victoria’. She plays for the UK’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Northern Sinfonia, The Hallé and the BBC Concert Orchestra and has enjoyed performing worldwide, including at the Royal Albert Hall, Thessaloniki Concert Hall and the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong.

The music is directly inspired by Chris’ poetry and ranges from free improvisation in Carnatic ragas and explorations of less conventional playing techniques on the harp to specially selected excerpts of music from folk songs by Catrina McKay to arrangements of music by Jean Sibelius. The resulting sound worlds are unique and designed to take listeners on a kaleidoscopic journey through the duo’s many different Imaginary Landscapes.

 “An absolute gem” Martin Denny, Windsor Arts Festival

“This should be at the heart of every festival” Andy Stuart, Rye Arts Festival

“A pearl in the whole Festival” Anna Sacchini, Harp on Wight

Suitable for Adults (18+)

Booking essential. Limited places

This exhibition is part of The Year of Wright – a year-long celebration of the life, art, and enduring relevance of Joseph Wright of Derby (1734–1797), one of Britain’s most original and visionary painters.