The Duke of Edinburgh and Radio 3

[Flosshilde]

You're forgetting Brian Sewell. He makes the queen sound common.

But she is! The Royal Family are irredeemably suburban middle class, 1950s style.

[Richard Tarleton]

He does not come from a family noted for its cultural interests.

Anyone got any evidence?

Just three words.

Royal Variety Performance.

They seem to like it. It would be equally possible, surely, for them to support other areas of, erm, artistic endeavour. One thinks of successive American presidents welcoming classical artists to the White House - Segovia, Horovitz and lots more.

An instructive comparison is perhaps with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain who do have a genuine and active interest in the arts. I remember Ian Gibson, biographer of Lorca and Spanish resident, talking amusingly about the annual gathering of authors that Juan Carlos attends and where he chats easily with everyone. If one must have kings, Juan Carlos is a model of modern kingship.

[Sydney Grew]

One thinks of successive American presidents welcoming classical artists to the White House - Segovia, Horovitz and lots more.

Can't let that pass. They (Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy) broke into applause at the wrong places during Casals's Schubert. Which proves it was all done for show without any understanding or real interest.

[Ferretfancy]

Sorry to name drop, ( Well, not really! ) but Prince Charles said to me that he liked going to Command Performances because he got the chance to meet attractive actresses. This was before the divorce. He also asked if my CD player sometimes made funny clicking noises. I felt like saying " Not if you get a good one", but didn't have the cheek. Of course, he can't indulge his musical tastes by popping up to Oxford Street to HMV's, although I imagine he buys online these days. When the royals want to buy something like a TV they have to have a man from Harrods come round, bringing samples to choose from.
All in all, I think that they are perfectly nice people living in a trap. The mere fact that when the Queen visited her husband in hospital; it was said by one commentator that it was unusual for her to do so, speaks volumes about their lives.

[Richard Tarleton]

Can't let that pass. They (Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy) broke into applause at the wrong places during Casals's Schubert. Which proves it was all done for show without any understanding or real interest.

Fair enough. But is that better or worse than not even trying? It's all about patronage, and where they care to distribute it.

[scottycelt]

I did hear that the DofE is a Radio3 listenrer! Not sure iof he is a member of FoR3 though!! I hope he makes a full recovery very soon and is back to his normal self!!

Me too, Bbm! A remarkable person for one in his Ninetieth year, as is his wife who is not much younger.

But she is! The Royal Family are irredeemably suburban middle class, 1950s style.

What insufferable snobs some socialists/republicans are ...

[JFLL]

Britten and Royal Family

There was an article by John Bridcut in BBC Music Mag April 2011 called "Britten's Royal Family", which describes how supportive the Queen and Queen Mother were of Benjamin Britten in his final years. Quite revealing if you've bought into the 'suburban 1950s' image of the royal family.

[LHC]

According to the Intermezo blog Prince Charles attended the opening night of Die Meistersinger at Covent Garden and also attended several performances at the WNO.

http://intermezzo.typepad.com/intermezzo/2011/12/putting-the-royal-into-the-royal-opera-house.html

It seems to me that they are more cultural than alot of people give them credit for

[salymap]

There was an article by John Bridcut in BBC Music Mag April 2011 called "Britten's Royal Family", which describes how supportive the Queen and Queen Mother were of Benjamin Britten in his final years. Quite revealing if you've bought into the 'suburban 1950s' image of the royal family.

There were some good photos with the article which showed them all quite at ease with each other.

[Flosshilde]

Just three words.

Royal Variety Performance.

They seem to like it. It would be equally possible, surely, for them to support other areas of, erm, artistic endeavour. One thinks of successive American presidents welcoming classical artists to the White House - Segovia, Horovitz and lots more.

An instructive comparison is perhaps with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain who do have a genuine and active interest in the arts. I remember Ian Gibson, biographer of Lorca and Spanish resident, talking amusingly about the annual gathering of authors that Juan Carlos attends and where he chats easily with everyone. If one must have kings, Juan Carlos is a model of modern kingship.

The Queen hosts regular lunches - comparitively small, private & informal affairs - where the guests are a mix from different spheres. I've no doubt that the arts are well represented. I don't lknow if the 'Court Circular' publishes guest lists.

[Globaltruth]

It's quite widely known over on the World Music sub-forum that we had to chuck the DoE off there after a spate of wildly inappropriate comments. Proof he is a committed r3 listener though...

[mercia]

looking at the official Monarchy website, various members of the royal family seem to be patrons or presidents of innumerable arts organisations and societies. what it means in practice to be a patron I have no idea.

[Flosshilde]

It's part of the 'work' we pay them for.

[AuntyKezia]

If you google on "Music in Country Churches" you'll find info about one of the charitable causes of which Prince Charles is patron and which he supports by attending as many concerts as he can. I remember going to one of these concerts some years ago at St Mary's, Chipping Norton (no idea if any of the Chipping Norton set were there too!) The concert itself turned out to be not as billed because the orchestra that was due to play (I think it was the London Mozart Players) had got stuck in Prague and couldn't make it there in time. Fortunately the pianist who was down to play a concerto with them had made his own way there, and was able to give us a solo recital instead. Everybody, including Prince Charles, applauded his efforts with an extra degree of warmth in the circumstances!

[Flosshilde]

one of the charitable causes of which Prince Charles is patron and which he supports by attending as many concerts as he can.

It's a dirty job but somebody's got to do it.