Famous People I've Sat by at a Concert

[Chris Newman]

In Salisbury Cathedral in the second half of a Ted Heath concert I sat next to Moura Lympany (who had just played Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto) and then met her at a party afterwards (Joseph Cooper sat behind us). I sat behind Cleo Laine at a John Dankworth/Northern Sinfonia concert at the QEH, London. Conductor, Anatole Fistoulari often sat on the seats around the fountain at the Proms.

[salymap]

Not a concert but I sat behing Alvar Liddell in the 1950s when Sargent conducted a season of G&S at its' original home, the Savoy Theatre in the Strand. It was surreal as I thought I was listening to a radio as the familiar voice told his two children the plot of 'Mikado'. He was also a good singer I believe.

[Stunsworth]

Not me, but some friends claim that they caught an EasyJet flight from Liverpool to Berlin with Simon Rattle on it, though I would have expected him to fly by private jet <grin>.

[Stillhomewardbound]

Stephen Sondheim sat in front of me at a performance of Company at the Albery Theatre (as it was then).

I resisted the urge to telling him that totally disliked the production.

[Uncle Monty]

Not me, but some friends claim that they caught an EasyJet flight from Liverpool to Berlin with Simon Rattle on it, though I would have expected him to fly by private jet <grin>.

I think SR may be a bit of a cheapskate -- I may have related before how I followed him into Argos in Lewes!

[Mr Pee]

Patrick Stewart, Kenneth Cranham, Robert Lindsay, Stephanie Beacham, Elizabeth McGovern, David Suchet,Stephanie Cole, Una Stubbs, Richard McCabe, Derek Griffiths, Frank Finlay, Diana Rigg, Jemma Redgrave, Maureen Lipman, Rupert Everett, Stephanie Cole, Sam West, Tim Pigott-Smith, Samantha Spiro, Richard McCabe, Susan Hampshire, Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton, oh, and Sir Ian McKellen.

Just a few of the people I've knocked around with at work over the last few years.... it's a hard life.....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That's an impressive list.

[MickyD]

I think SR may be a bit of a cheapskate -- I may have related before how I followed him into Argos in Lewes!

You've just reminded me, I used to see Michael Tilson Thomas at the M & S food cash desk in Kensington when he was resident in London!

[Dave2002]

I once met Stephen Bishop (Kovacevich) at a party. I was introduced to him as Steve. I asked him what he did, and he said he played piano. Yep - it got worse, then I asked could he really make a living out of it, and he said he tried to. Thinking he might play in pubs and clubs I asked where he played - "Oh a few places over here - the RFH etc.". Then we talked about American football and other things. It was only a long while afterwards I realised that my hostess had deliberately introduced me to one of my musical heroes, but omitted to warn me who he was.

I once sat close to Peter Maxwell Davies at a concert - probably the first performance of one of his pieces, and he signed my programme - though alas it's probably lost now.

Do you really want to know whom I've peed next to? [Charles Groves ....]

I've recently been corrected in details of another encounter. I saw the Captain of one of those Star Ship thingies recently at the RFH as I was buying a programme a few weeks ago, but my friends have just told me he wasn't Captain Kirk, but Jean-Luc Picard. :-) Just shows how out of touch I am!
I hope he enjoyed the concert.

[MrGongGong]

I had to kick Maxim Vengerov out of a studio when I was about to go in and rehearse a piece with some students........ he was very nice about it

[Stunsworth]

I used to see Michael Tilson Thomas at the M & S food cash desk in Kensington when he was resident in London!

Oh how the mighty have fallen. When did the conducting gigs dry up?

[Mr Pee]

And Jack Brymer came and had tea on our houseboat at Chichester Yacht Basin many years ago. I was principal clarinet in the West Sussex Youth Orchestra, and he was performing the Mozart with us. So between rehearsal and concert he came for refreshment.

I think he had beans on toast, although it was a long time ago. :p

[Chris Newman]

We really should have an "I have peed with xxxx" thread, but that would be unfair on the girls.

Mr Pee,
Were you in the WSYO in the days when their chief conductor was Jean Pougnet (Mr PUGNETT as he was affectionately known) ?

[gurnemanz]

Gervase de Peyer once gave me a lift home.

[Chris Newman]

Gervase de Peyer once gave me a lift home.

You cannot beat that! AND Happy 85th Birthday to Gervase de Peyer (Five minutes to go).