Photo: Supplied
The Queen’s Closet is a room in Ham House, a National Trust property situated just outside London. In 1670 it was renovated and refurbished in the exuberant baroque style of the day, complete with gilt carvings and rich satin all coverings.
The Queen’s Closet is also the name of a Wellington-based early music ensemble, dedicated to bringing the colourful sounds of baroque music to life. Unlike some other ensembles which compromise by playing “tweaked” period instruments with modern features, the players of The Queen’s Closet utilise authentic valveless trumpets with no fingerholes, and oboes (or “hoboys”) with reeds appropriate to the late 17th century.
Trumpeter and director Gordon Lehany and hoboy player Sharon Lehany spoke with Upbeat ahead of a concert collaborating with the Wellington Bach Choir in Purcell’s opulent 1692 Ode for St Cecilia’s Day “Hail, bright Cecilia”, and what may well be the first NZ performance of Biber’s imposing Requiem in A.
