WATCH award winning classical musicians in a fundraising 'Lockdown Gala' for Help Musicians UK
Gramophone magazine stages a special lockdown live stream of multiple award-winning classical musicians to raise funds for struggling performers
Award-winning classical musicians including Sir James Galway, Sir Antonio Pappano, Sean Shibe, Ian Bostridge and James Ehnes are mounting a ‘Lockdown Gala’ on Sunday 10 May to support musicians finding themselves in severe financial difficulties amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
The online gala will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube from 7pm. Each performance will include a short introduction plus a programme of solo performances. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to the charity Help Musicians.
James Jolly, Editor-in-Chief, Gramophone magazine (who are staging fundraising gala) said of the event:
"Music is one of the most spiritually nourishing things humans can share, and when the musical world falls silent, we feel its loss.
“To ensure that music will play again when this crisis eases, we are encouraging music lovers to dig deep and help the musicians who enrich our lives day after day. We, at Gramophone, are enormously grateful for the wonderful generosity of these Award-winning artists who have given their time and talent to support our charity gala.’
Since lockdown began Help Musicians has supported nearly 16,700 performers to the tune of £8.35m helping those in need of a financial assistance as well as health, mental wellbeing, business skills and creative development
“Music lovers, musicians and the music industry have already responded with generosity,” said James Ainscough, Chief Executive, Help Musicians, “but we still need to raise millions more in order to meet all needs fully. That is why we are so grateful to Gramophone and all the artists involved for supporting our vital work.
Viewers can enjoy personally selected programmes from nine pianists, a percussionist, three violinists, two flautists, a string quartet, three singers, a cellist, a vocal ensemble and a guitarist.
You can watch the Gramophone Award Winners Lockdown Charity Gala on Gramophone’s Facebook page and YouTube channel on Sunday 17 May from 7pm BST and for seven days after the initial stream until 11.59pm.