Saturday 12 June
8pm in the Parish Church
‘Winter in Majorca’ - a one-man play with live music
from actor-pianist Michael Lunts
I visited Majorca some 30 years ago, when it was still rather 'unspoilt' - in parts, not too different from the island Chopin visited in 1838. We went to the Monastery of Valldemossa, and listened to the ghost of Chopin playing his mournful music in the wind, noticing how the roughness of the island must have been a hard contrast for his ailing, urbanite soul. I read George Sand's account of their winter there in 1838-39, and was drawn into a world where neither seemed to fit, but where nonetheless much creative work was done in the enforced isolation.
Michael Lunts' one-man play, "Winter in Majorca" is
a tour-de-force: carefully researched extracts from Chopin's diaries, letters
and material from Sand's book - plus of course examples of his music - are
woven together to give an intimate insight into the composer's heart and
mind at a vulnerable point in his life. Lunts's sensitive skill on the piano
combines with a fine acting style and subtle pacing, which drew the audience
into the links between Chopin's outer and inner worlds. Lunts' script skillfully
brought out connections between Polish folksongs, Chopin's longing for his
parents, his un-consumated love for Maria Wodzińska, his rather complex
relationship 
with George Sand and his turbulent feelings about the political
situation in his Polish homeland, and how all of these fed into his music.
It was educational, as well as entertaining. Above all, we felt connected
to the soul of one of the great Romantic musicians, and I think all the audience
left feeling uplifted by a deeper understanding of how Chopin's great art
was created out of sufferings and difficulties few of us could imagine
- all brilliantly brought to life by the multi-talented Michael Lunts.
As the fourth concert in the Wadhurst Summer Music Festival, this was further
confirmation of the wonderful variety of programming in the festival season,
which is drawing enthusiastic audiences of all tastes and ages, according
to the events. As the festival gathers pace, we are looking forward to a
full house for the Monteverdi Venetian Vespers on June 26, so book soon to
avoid disappointment! Michael
Fields
Sponsored by the Wadhurst Probus Club
Photos Michael Flegg